# Video: New York 1911

By [Brandon Donnelly](https://brandondonnelly.com) · 2017-06-20

1911, film, moma, museum-of-modern-art, new-york, new-york-city, street-life, uncategorized, video

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![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/d1ff6b9d89bfb4adcd536855228a79d9.png)

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) recently restored and [published](https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/3858?locale=en) a “documentary travelogue” of New York City from 1911. 

It was originally filmed by a Swedish company, called Svenska Biografteatern, that went around the world filming noteworthy places such as Niagara Falls, Paris, Monte Carlo, and Venice.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/12943503075abb3e494c485e8285d0c8.png)

Not surprisingly, New York City is a vibrant and bustling place at the beginning of the 20th century. But it somehow feels serene. Maybe it’s the soundtrack. It’s also interesting to think that this was filmed only 3 years before World War I broke out.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/0ef041929ee21b0abde6cfcf20382e9c.png)

I particularly enjoyed seeing all of the streetcars (trams) and elevated rail running through the streets.

Below is a screenshot of a young girl – clearly bored and/or disinterested – being chauffeured down Fifth Avenue in what was almost certainly a fancy convertible at the time.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/4c344bf162518fc8eb3a02562ec1e4db.png)

MoMA doesn’t allow you to embed the video, but you can [watch it here](https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/3858?locale=en) through July 14. It’s 9 minutes and, if you’re a city nerd like me, I think you’ll really enjoy it. The street life footage kicks in around the 3 minute mark.

_Screenshot Images:_ [_MoMA_](https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/3858?locale=en)

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*Originally published on [Brandon Donnelly](https://brandondonnelly.com/video-new-york-1911)*