ThoughtGallery.org > ‘Pennsylvania Station: The Most Beautiful Train Station Ever Built’ Webinar

‘Pennsylvania Station: The Most Beautiful Train Station Ever Built’ Webinar

“Not that Penn Station is the Parthenon, but it might as well be because we can never again afford a nine-acre structure of superbly detailed travertine, any more than we could build one of solid gold. It is a monument to the lost art of magnificent construction, other values aside.” – Ada Louise Huxtable, architectural critic

From its soaring 150-foot ceilings inspired by the Roman Baths of Caracalla; to the travertine marble interiors and pink granite exterior; to its imperial colonnade entrances stretching from avenue to avenue; the original Pennsylvania Station that stood in New York City between 1910–1963 was a righteous portal into America’s largest city, one that truly made train passengers feel like royalty.

However, due to mismanaged finances, the worst corporate merger in American history, and weak building protection laws, a source of limitless inspiration was destroyed and replaced with anything but. This is the story of one of the grandest public spaces ever built, and how its untimely demise ultimately rallied New York to never allow such a civic crime to ever happen again.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel back in time to explore the magnificence of the original Pennsylvania Station (1910-1963), one of the world’s most beautiful train stations, which defined the age of elegant rail travel in the 20th century.

Led by NYC licensed tour guide Scott Glickman, our digital showcase of the past, present, and future of Penn Station will include:

  • The history of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and why a Manhattan station was needed
  • Rare photos showcasing the construction of Pennsylvania Station, and the North River Tunnels that go underneath the Hudson River
  • A virtual look inside the grand spaces of the original Penn Station, including the main waiting room — when completed in 1910, this room became the largest indoor space in New York City, and one of the largest public spaces in the world
  • The tragic story behind the destruction of the station — and what ended up replacing it
  • Where to find remnants of the original station throughout the current subterranean station
  • Future proposals to rebuild Pennsylvania Station and transform it back into a world-class transportation hub

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Scott — any and all questions about Penn Station are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually! $10.

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Scott

“I’ve lived in New York almost my entire life, and always loved going to Manhattan. My father started my fascination with old Manhattan when I was a child, and since then I have not stopped learning about this amazing place. The original Penn Station is my favorite building ever on the island of Manhattan and any chance I get to learn something new about it I will jump at the chance!”











When: Fri., Feb. 19, 2021 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: No Location
Via livestream

Price: $10
Buy tickets/get more info now
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“Not that Penn Station is the Parthenon, but it might as well be because we can never again afford a nine-acre structure of superbly detailed travertine, any more than we could build one of solid gold. It is a monument to the lost art of magnificent construction, other values aside.” – Ada Louise Huxtable, architectural critic

From its soaring 150-foot ceilings inspired by the Roman Baths of Caracalla; to the travertine marble interiors and pink granite exterior; to its imperial colonnade entrances stretching from avenue to avenue; the original Pennsylvania Station that stood in New York City between 1910–1963 was a righteous portal into America’s largest city, one that truly made train passengers feel like royalty.

However, due to mismanaged finances, the worst corporate merger in American history, and weak building protection laws, a source of limitless inspiration was destroyed and replaced with anything but. This is the story of one of the grandest public spaces ever built, and how its untimely demise ultimately rallied New York to never allow such a civic crime to ever happen again.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel back in time to explore the magnificence of the original Pennsylvania Station (1910-1963), one of the world’s most beautiful train stations, which defined the age of elegant rail travel in the 20th century.

Led by NYC licensed tour guide Scott Glickman, our digital showcase of the past, present, and future of Penn Station will include:

  • The history of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and why a Manhattan station was needed
  • Rare photos showcasing the construction of Pennsylvania Station, and the North River Tunnels that go underneath the Hudson River
  • A virtual look inside the grand spaces of the original Penn Station, including the main waiting room — when completed in 1910, this room became the largest indoor space in New York City, and one of the largest public spaces in the world
  • The tragic story behind the destruction of the station — and what ended up replacing it
  • Where to find remnants of the original station throughout the current subterranean station
  • Future proposals to rebuild Pennsylvania Station and transform it back into a world-class transportation hub

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Scott — any and all questions about Penn Station are welcomed and encouraged!

Can’t make it live? Don’t worry, you’ll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually! $10.

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Scott

“I’ve lived in New York almost my entire life, and always loved going to Manhattan. My father started my fascination with old Manhattan when I was a child, and since then I have not stopped learning about this amazing place. The original Penn Station is my favorite building ever on the island of Manhattan and any chance I get to learn something new about it I will jump at the chance!”

Buy tickets/get more info now