2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that saved Grand Central and the 20th anniversary of the renovation that restored it.
Walking through Grand Central Terminal as a commuter or tourist — or
both — and you can’t help but marvel at the landmark’s beauty, beauty
that came dangerously close to being as lost as the original Penn
Station was more than five decades ago.
It’s true. If it wasn’t for the help of advocates and heavy hitters
like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grand Central very well could’ve been a
looming, rectangular tower that would’ve destroyed the architectural
beauty we know today that serves 700,000 travelers and tourists daily.
2018 marks both the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that
saved Grand Central from that towering fate and the 20th anniversary of
the renovation that restored it.
“This building was saved because Penn Station was lost. Grand Central
is here because of the incredibly heroic efforts of those who saved
this place 40 years ago, and those who restored it over the course of
many decades to make it the space it is today, which is a real
destination for New Yorkers,” said Amy Hausmann of the New York Transit Museum, which has a gallery annex and store at Grand Central.
To commemorate these historic events, celebrations are planned through Oct. 1,
kicking off with Taste of the Terminal, which runs Tuesday through
Thursday and offers free food and product samples. Other events include a
‘90s music lunchtime series on Tuesdays in July and August, a September
exhibit highlighting Grand Central’s rescue and restoration by the
Municipal Art Society, the organization that fought to save it, and
more.
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| The Main Concourse at Grand Central before its restoration 20 years ago is not the bright, airy destination we know today. (NY Transit Museum) |
To celebrate Grand Central’s official grand opening after its
restoration on Oct. 1, 1998, its 90-plus shops and restaurants will
offer 1998 prices on certain products.
“Grand Central Terminal demonstrates the lasting benefits that come
from investing in infrastructure,” MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said in a
statement. “This investment in a terminal that has become an
international treasure connects its past to its future, as we are seeing
with numerous infrastructure improvements happening all over the city,
including at One Vanderbilt, the East Side Access project and with
Moynihan Station.”
To see a full list of Grand Central’s anniversary celebrations, visit grandcentralterminal.com/celebrates.
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| Crews restore Grand Central's iconic astrological ceiling, which was painted by Paul Cesar Helleu. A small patch of what it looked like before the restoration remains for eagle-eyed visitors. Have you ever spotted it? (NY Transit Museum) |
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| Members of the Committee to Save Grand Central at the terminal in 1975. From left, Philip Johnson, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Bess Myerson and Ed Koch. (The Municipal Art Society of New York) |
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| Grand Central's Lexington Passage before the terminal's renovation was complete in 1998. (NY Transit Museum) |
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| The Main Concourse at Grand Central before its restoration 20 years ago is not the bright, airy destination we know today. |
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