Queens Museum’s famous cityscape has a new walkway

The Panorama of the City of New York featured at the 1964 World’s Fair. Photo via Queens Museum

By Rachel Vick

The walkways surrounding the Queens Museum’s iconic Panorama of the City of New York got a much needed facelift this month.

The museum celebrated the updated path around the incredible scale model of the city, which debuted at the 1964 World’s Fair. Long-time museum board member and business owner Thomas Chen donated the resources to replace the heavily worn glass. 

Chen’s company, Crystal Window & Door Systems, provided the material that now allow visitors a clear, “bird’s eye” view of the city below their feet.

Chen has served on the board for nearly a decade, and raised thousands of dollars for museum programming efforts. 

“I’ve been a board member for years … and they asked me if I could donate and I could just not refuse,” Chen told the Queens Chronicle.

The 9,335 square-foot replica has been updated to include or remove various features since it opened in 1964. The model enabled World’s Fair visitors to experience the city like they were on a helicopter tour. 

The piece was initially maintained by Raymond Lester & Associates, the original architect team, and upkeep was funded by donations. 

The installation has since been updated and maintained in part through the museum’s adopt-a building program, which allows anyone to purchase an inch-high piece of real estate.