THE GREATEST GRID:
THE MASTER PLAN OF MANHATTAN, 1811-2011

Inspired by the unique quality of New York City’s open-ended city grid, the exhibition’s circulation spines appear infinite, drawing visitors through this fascinating story of how this iconic urban design came to be.

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811, the show centers on this foundational document that established Manhattan’s famous street grid. Featuring the original map prepared by the Commission in 1811, as well as rare historic documents, surveying tools, photographs, prints, manuscripts and other artifacts, the visitor journeys through the fascinating politics, economics, topography and geology that affected the city’s physical growth. The exhibition examines the street grid’s initial design, implementation, and change over time as a reflection of New York’s evolution from port to world capital.

With mirrors at both ends of the “streets,” visitors enjoy the same effect of infinity as the Commissioner intended. The rigor of the exhibition design is both a controlling and enabling armature for the content which is thematically organized by location. Further utilizing the grid concept as a planning module, dark vinyl alternates with the existing oak floors to underscore circulation and street grid. The dark gray and white palette carries up the walls punctuating a crisp graphic image. The design integrates media and technology with analog displays throughout.