Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years of a New York Landmark

Grand Central Terminal celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2013. Here the New York Transit Museum and writer Robins (former survey director, New York Landmarks Commission; Subway Style: 100 Years of Architecture & Design in the New York City Subway) provide an evenhanded overview, exploring the building's multiple and historic uses without dwelling on some of the larger events that have been well documented in other books (most notably, the campaign to save the building during the 1950–70s). The book examines some of the structure's detailed art and architecture, including the lost property room, the reservation bureau, the operations and control center, and the art galleries. The first part of the book sets the context for the construction of Grand Central Terminal and explains the expectations New Yorkers had for the building at the beginning of the 20th century. The text outlines the building's history and provides names, facts, figures, and quotes from historical publications, but the images are the primary storytellers here: the monograph is richly illustrated with over 300 black-and-white and color photographs, illustrations, maps, and diagrams.