Collections
The mission of the New York Transit Museum is to collect, exhibit, interpret and preserve the history, sociology, and technology of land-based public transportation systems in the NY metropolitan region, past and present, and conduct research and educational programs that make its extensive collection accessible and meaningful to the broadest possible audience.
The New York Transit Museum is one of only a few museums in the world dedicated to telling the story of urban public transportation – from the people who developed, operate, and ride it, to the city and region it has helped shape. The Museum focuses on this human experience and the impact of public transportation on the growth and development of the New York metropolitan region.
Schedule an Appointment
Our archives are housed in two locations accessible to researchers. The primary archives are located at 130 Livingston Street in Downtown Brooklyn. We are also pleased to announce the new Gabrielle Shubert Research Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Researchers interested in accessing the Museum’s collections may leave a voicemail with the details of their research question or project at (718) 694-1068 or email a Transit Museum Archivist. Access is granted at the discretion of Archives staff and certain materials may be restricted. Please allow at least two weeks’ notice for scheduling a research appointment, as well as for processing remote research requests. Extensive inquiries that require more staff time are billable at the Archivist’s discretion up to $100/hour.
Digital Collections
Over 10,000 photographs, posters, maps, and artifacts from the Museum’s collections can be viewed online. Materials are searchable by keyword and custom database fields, or random selections can be generated for you to browse. You can even order a copy of the images for your personal archive. Keep checking back as we are continually adding material to the digital collection.
Fees, Reproductions, and Usage
The Transit Museum charges fees for the use of items from its historical collections. These fees defray the costs of preserving and cataloging our materials and help to expand research access to our vast collection. All fees must be paid in advance and an agreement must be signed stating compliance with all rules and conditions for use as required by the New York Transit Museum Archives.
Fees, Reproduction, and Usage Policies>>
Reproduction and Licensing Request Form>>
