Press
PRESS RELEASE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan Opens 10-Foot Cops
01/08/2013
Partnering with Hurricane-Damaged NYC Police Museum, CMOM Hosts a Historical Look at New York City’s Mounted Police
New York, NY, The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) announced the opening of 10-Foot Cops: The NYPD’s Mounted Unit, a glimpse into the history and daily lives of officers from New York City’s Mounted Police Force. Opening January 26 and running through May 27, the exhibit is on loan from the New York City Police Museum, which is temporarily closed due to damage sustained from Hurricane Sandy. NYCPM will reopen in the Spring of 2013.
“Just as the people of New York City come together in times of crisis, so do our city’s great public institutions. When we heard of the extensive damage incurred by the NYC Police Museum from Hurricane Sandy, we immediately reached out to see how we could help,” said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director of CMOM. “Their mounted police installation is perfect for our audience. The artifacts and archival video footage combined with programming run by our educators and guest speakers will provide children and families with a greater appreciation and understanding of these law-enforcing equestrians.”
Since its origins in the 19th century, the NYPD’s Mounted Police has been regarded as one of New York City’s most elite units. Unique, highly visible, and known by their colorful nickname, 10-Foot Cops, these officers are involved in all aspects of policing the city.
10-Foot Cops uses more than 40 original artifacts to explore the lives the men, women, and horses at the heart of this mounted unit. Children can have their picture taken sitting in a saddle and see uniforms, paintings, historic photographs and illustrations. The exhibit also includes a replica of a NYPD horse stable and shorts from the 1940 NYPD film “Training Police Horses” and a clip from the Department’s “Inside the NYPD” from 2007. Visitors will come away with an appreciation of the training and dedication required of both police officer and horse alike from the story of the mounted unit’s rich history and their continuing day-to-day policing operations in parks, on city streets and at parades and public demonstrations.
“In addition to doing their important police work, members of NYPD’s Mounted Unit are tremendous ambassadors for our city. Whether giving directions or posing for photographs, they are a very visible presence, loved by tourists and New Yorkers alike,” said Julie Bose, Executive Director of NYCPM. “This collaboration allows the Mounted Unit’s story to reach children and families, while our Museum continues the cleanup work necessary to reopen. It also embodies the spirit of New Yorkers, bonding together for the greater good.”
The collaboration with NYCPM is part of CMOM’s long-term recovery plan for families and organizations affected by Hurricane Sandy. Details of the plan will be announced once an assessment of needs and capacity issues are finalized.
About Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is New York City’s leading cultural institution dedicated solely to children and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds. For details on all of CMOM’s programs, please visit www.cmom.org.
About the New York City Police Museum
Housed in the historic building that contained the 1st Precinct of the NYPD, The Museum gives visitors an insider’s look at the history and culture of the largest police force in the country. Museum highlights include vintage uniforms, motorcycles and tools of the trade. Step into a jail cell and take a “mug shot” in a lineup! In the Junior Officer’s Discovery Zone, children ages 3-10 years old can practice CSI skills, take a Police Academy physical challenge, listen to radio calls and learn police codes. Also on view is the Hall of Heroes Memorial; dedicated to all officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, while the 9/11 Remembered Exhibit features exclusive on-camera interviews, striking photographs, and numerous Ground Zero artifacts, the exhibit tells the dramatic and remarkable story of New York’s Finest, through their eyes and in their own words. For more information, please visit www.nycpm.org.
