NEW YORK-
Next time you're in Manhattan, consider taking a tour of Grand Central terminal, the Beaux Arts landmark that is as vital to the life of the city today as it was when it opened in 1913.
The Municipal Arts Society sponsors a free tour of the cavernous commuter cathedral at 42nd Street and Park Avenue every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Meet inside at the information booth on the building's main concourse. Details at (212) 935-3960.
Also free is a 90-minute tour sponsored by the Grand Central Partnership that meets Fridays, 12:30 p.m., in the Sculpture Court of the Whitney Museum at Altria on 42nd Street, across the street from Grand Central. Details at (212) 883-2420 or .
The station was once a glamorous stage for long-distance train travel but today it is used mainly by commuters taking subways and suburban railroads. Its features include soaring arched windows, a colossal marble-floored concourse, grandiose stairways, sparkling chandeliers, classical sculpture, and a ceiling painted like a night sky with gold-leaf constellations and twinkling lightbulb stars.
"Europe has its cathedrals," the architect Philip Johnson once said. "And we have Grand Central."
The building deterioriated in the mid-20th century as airlines and cars eclipsed train travel, and its demolition was proposed in the 1970s. But supporters–include Jacqueline Onassis–fought to save it. The controversy went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 1978 that cities have the right to protect historic buildings, a decision that legitimized preservation efforts around the country.
A 10-year renovation effort was completed in 1998, and today the terminal and its elegant architectural elements are well-maintained. Dozens of retailers and eateries have made it an attractive destination for shoppers as well as diners, whether you want chowder from the classic Oyster Bar or pizza from Two Boots.
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