Pets and the City

 

October 25, 2024 - April 20, 2025

The New-York Historical Society (170 Central Park West at 77th St.)

 

Pets and the City explores the visual history of New Yorkers and their animal companions over the last two and a half centuries, tracing the ever-evolving relationship between Gotham’s people and its animals as the city grew increasingly urbanized and industrialized. Through a broad spectrum of works of art, objects, documents, memorabilia, and clips from film and television, the exhibition surveys the evolution of pets—from their presence among the Lenape and Haudenosaunee and the hunting culture of settlers through their insinuation into the urban family and onto the pampered pets of today, which enjoy their own public rights.

 

 

William Davis Hessler

 

Drawn largely from The New York Historical's collections, Pets and the City also investigates the reasons for the soaring pet population, especially after 9/11 and during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as issues surrounding pet adoption, the trafficking of exotic animals, and service animals. Curated by Roberta J.M. Olson, curator of drawings emerita

 

Major support for Pets and the City is provided by Pamela and David Hornik. Additional support is provided by Pet S(paw)nsors and Pet Patrons.

 

 

Joseph H. Davis 

 

Upcoming Gallery Tours

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 11:30 am

Saturday, Feb. 1, 3 pm

Thursday, Feb. 20, 11:30 am

Tuesday, March 18, 3 pm

Saturday, April 5, 3 pm

Wednesday, April 9, 3 pm

https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/pets-and-the-city