American Museum of the Moving Image

Address:35th Ave. at 36 St.
Astoria, New York
Tel: (718) 784-0077

The American Museum of the Moving Image is the nation's largest and most comprehensive collection of artifacts related to the moving image. Whether on television, in movies, or on the internet, we see moving images daily. Come and explore how moving images are created and check out the exciting exhibition on video games and their history.

Since 1981, the American Museum of the Moving Image has held the nation's largest collection of artifacts relating to art, history and technology of the moving image. About 125,000 pieces are stored in the museum and over 1,800 are available for viewing in the museum's core exhibition "Behind the Screen". Artifacts on display include technical apparatus, photographs, licensed merchandise, costumes, publicity materials, and historical movie furnishings.

The Museum's core exhibition walks visitors through the process of producing, marketing, and editing a moving image. Daily demonstrations such as the video flipbook allow visitors to create their own moving image animation. Learn how the soundtrack for "Titanic" was designed and mixed. See how a movie is edited, and see the difference between yesterday's analog and today's digital technology. Visitors can even view a movie about Thomas Edison's first movie-viewing machine.

An additional special exhibition is "Digital Play", which exibits video games and their art. Explore how music, dance, and movement oriented video games originating in Japan are taking over from the classic, violent video games. You will be amazed at how the graphics have changed dramatically over the years, while basic game play has remained basically the same.

The museum shop features an extensive selection of books including screenplays and rare out-of-print titles. You can purchase toys, gifts, jewelry, and other souvenirs. The museum café serves light fare, including sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.

To get to the American Museum of the Moving Image, take the R or V trains to Steinway on weekdays, and on weekends use the R or G. Turn right on 35th Avenue and walk 2.5 blocks until 36th St.

The Museum of the Moving Image advances the public understanding and appreciation of the art, history, technique and technology of film, television, and digital media. It does so by collecting, preserving, and providing access to moving-image related artifacts; screening significant films and other moving-image works; presenting exhibitions of artifacts, artworks, and interactive experiences; and offering educational and interpretive programs to students, teachers, and the general public.