NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

Dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of television and radio programs, the center possesses a collection of nearly 150,000 television and radio programs and advertisements covering radio and television history. Virtually every broadcast form is represented here—news, documentaries, performing arts, advertising, children's programs and international programs—many of historic importance: Mercury Theater's version of H. G. Well's War of the Worlds; William L. Shirer's broadcasts from Nazi Germany; Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon; President Richard Nixon's resignation speech; CNN coverage of the Persian Gulf War; a plethora of classic sitcoms; and so on. Most can be viewed or heard at individual consoles and are quickly accessible through a computerized catalogue, the records of which are also available online.

Founded in 1975 by William S. Paley (creator of the CBS radio and television network), the museum opened in its new tower, designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, in 1991. A play on the shape of old-fashioned radio cabinets, the building houses two theaters, two 45-seat screening rooms, 96 consoles for individual viewing/listening and a room dedicated solely to historic radio programs.

• Directions: Subway: E, M to Fifth Avenue - 53rd Street; B, D, F to 47-50th Street - Rockefeller Center

• Archive
• Disability Access: Fully accessible; elevators available
• Gift Shops: Books on radio and television, videotapes and cassettes of classic and current programs, media-oriented memorabilia including watches, pins and replicas of old-time radios, museum brochures, catalogs, posters, T-shirts and postcards
• Public Phone
• Reference Center: Open to the public, call for details
• Space Rental
• Tours

Get involved with Paley Center for Media

• Donations through NYCharities.org
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Memberships