About
Lenape footpath, skid row, dime museums and punk: the first show on the history of the Bowery, New.
The New Museum turns its lens on its own street, following the Bowery from a Lenape footpath and cattle-drive route to theaters, tattoo parlors, dime museums, the world's most notorious skid row and a downtown art scene. The cast runs from Peter Stuyvesant and P.T. Barnum to Jacob Riis, William Burroughs, Eva Hesse and Keith Haring. If you love downtown New York lore, this is the show that explains the block you are standing on.
What to expect
Expect a mix of artworks, photographs and historical artifacts arranged around the Bowery's many lives over five centuries. It sits on the second floor of the expanded museum, a short walk from the neighborhood it describes, so a stroll up the Bowery afterward makes a natural pairing.
Good to know
- The New Museum is at 235 Bowery near the F at Second Avenue and the J/Z at Bowery
- Curated by Lisa Phillips, the museum's director emerita
- A strong pick for New York history buffs as much as art fans
- Arthur Jafa and Diego Marcon shows are on view in the same building
- Reserving a ticket online ahead of time is wise on busy weekends
Common questions
Why is it called Devil's Mile?
The New Museum says the Bowery was once known as the Devil's Mile for its extremes and risqué rowdiness.
Is it history or art?
Both. It brings together artworks and artifacts about the Bowery as a street, neighborhood and state of mind.
Which figures appear?
The museum names Peter Stuyvesant, P.T. Barnum, Jacob Riis, William Burroughs, Eva Hesse and Keith Haring among its characters.