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NYC's landmark moment: Citywide trivia contest leads up to big anniversary of preservation law
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published May 11, 2024
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Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published May 11, 2024
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The New York City landmarks law, which became the focus of a 1978 Supreme Court case laying the foundation for protecting historical sites nationwide, is turning 60 next year — another milestone that history and civics nerds (like us) are gearing up to celebrate.
Before the law was signed in 1965, old structures around the city were being destroyed at an alarming rate, according to Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, who served as the city’s longest-running landmarks commissioner between 1972 and 1987.
Demolition at the old Penn Station, remnants of which conjured images of ancient ruins, began a few years prior to the law being enacted. Grand Central Station, with its dizzying celestial-inspired arched ceiling, also faced the threat of the wrecking ball.
“Without a history, a past, I think of life — as well as a city or a town — [as] devoid of the reality of what went on there before,” said Diamonstein-Spielvogel, now chair of the Historic Landmarks Preservation Center.
Grand Central survived and so did the landmarks law, which will mark another milestone on April 19, 2025. To celebrate, the NYC Landmarks60 Alliance and the advertising firm Outfront Media have launched a citywide trivia competition on the city’s history that runs through mid-November.
Where is it?
Daily trivia questions are all over the city — on digital screens within the city’s subway system and major transit hubs like Grand Central, “where the public phones used to be,” according to Jason Kuperman, chief product experience officer at Outfront.
How do I play?
Riders who see the daily trivia question can scan a QR code, which will enable them to rack up points throughout the week. The questions are multiple choice and change every day. The person who accumulates the most points that week wins a prize.
What do I win?
Winners will get $34 in OMNY credits (a week’s worth of subway or bus fare). Each registrant can only win the weekly prize once, but whoever collects the highest number of points by the end of the competition in November wins another prize — the details of which remain a mystery.
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grand central
landmarks law
history
Landmarks Preservation Commision
transportation
Michelle Bocanegra
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