NEW YORK: Diocese contributes to Transit Museum exhibit

May 11, 2007 [Episcopal News Service] A free exhibit at the New York Transit Museum, in New York City, contains artifacts from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

"Architects of the NYC Subway, Heins & LaFarge: The Tradition of the Great Public Works, Part I" is on display now through July 8 at the New York Transit Museum in celebration of the public works of Heins & LaFarge, a 20th century New York architectural firm responsible for the design of the Cathedral's east end and crossing.

In 1888, 68 architectural firms entered a design competition for the Cathedral, perhaps the most prominent project of its time in the United States. Heins & LaFarge's design was chosen based on its Romanesque forms with many Byzantine and Gothic elements, dominated by a massive tower over the crossing. Their work was not continued due to the death of Heins in 1907.

It is this element of design that connects the Cathedral to the subway -- then know as the Interborough Rapid Transit -- which opened in 1904 showcasing the City Hall station designed by Heins & LaFarge.

In corporation with the Transit Museum, the Cathedral's Public Education Department is offering a unique architectural tour in support of the exhibition on June 2. It will focus on sections of the Cathedral that illustrate the characteristics of Heins and LaFarge's designs.

For information on the Cathedral tour call 718-694-1867. For information on the Transit museum exhibit call 212-878-0106.

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