Activist New York
Museum of the City of New York, Ongoing
Activist New York
Currently on display at MCNY, Activist New York probes the city’s long history of social and political agitation. The episodes explored here, ranging from conflicts over religious freedom in 17th-century Dutch New Amsterdam to recent movements for racial justice, gender equality, and more, are also covered in the accompanying book.
Open to the public since 2012 (when I was its inaugural curator), Activist New York continues to evolve in the talented hands of Dr. Sarah J. Seidman, the museum’s Puffin Foundation Curator of Social Activism. Special thanks also to fellow historian Christina Ziegler-McPherson for ably assisting me in curating, to Kathleen Benson Haskins, Stephen Petrus, and Marcela Micucci for their contributions, and to Pentagram for the design. The photos shown here document the original 2012 version of the exhibition. Come for a visit!
Cotton shirtwaist with linen collar, c. 1895, and sewing machine, early 20th century. Museum of the City of New York.
Activist New York: A History of People, Protest, and Politics
New York University Press
A survey of New York City activism from religious dissenters in 17th-century New Amsterdam to Occupy Wall Street. A companion volume to the Museum of the City of New York exhibition of the same name, with many full-color illustrations.