The New York City Police Museum created a new exhibit recently to celebrate the NYPD motorcycle squad and their 100 years of service. The exhibit, called “The NYPD Motorcycle Squad: A Century of Service to New York City,” covers the origins of the squad and continues through the “heyday” of the 1950’s and 60’s up to the modern day division. “We wanted to show that [the squad] is not just something that comes out at parade time,” curator Joshua Ruff told DNAinfo. “They’re an important part of New York City life.”
From photos to uniforms depicting the past hundred years, the exhibit also displays four vintage motorcycles including a 1948 Indian with the P.D.N.Y.C. decals. The division later switched to Harley-Davison motorcycles in 1957 and a bike on display closely represents the machine in service today. A large portion of the exhibit focuses on the 1950’s and 60’s, which was a significant time for the squad (they were the favored choice of traffic enforcement on NYC’s highways). The squad has also been responsible for escorting presidents and foreign leaders who come to visit the famous city.
Original film footage from the 1960’s and 70’s, along with oral interviews of people who experienced it first hand, can also been seen at the exhibit. It is only going to be on display until January 9 2012, so make sure to stop by if you are in the vicinity, or planning a trip to NYC.
It’s probably going to be a while until all that history is on display again, so check it out while you can. Just think of all the stories the squad has gathered over the century they have been around, enough to fill a book I’m sure….
(Photos courtesy of Policemotorunits.com....click here for more, there are too many to post here)
No comments:
Post a Comment