Garment District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Here the Motion Picture Began
Photographed By R. C., November 22, 2008
1. Motion Picture Marker
On the night of April 23, 1896, on this site, in Koster & Bial’s Music Hall, Thomas A. Edison, with the “Vitascope,” first projected a moving picture.Erected 1938 by the Motion Picture Industry, in commemoration of the event, on October 4.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1820.
Location. 40° 45.039′ N, 73° 59.367′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Garment District. Marker is on West 34th Street, 0.1 miles west of 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on the 34th Street side of Macy's. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 W 34th St, New York NY 10001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Koster & Bial’s (within shouting distance of this marker); R.H. Macy & Company (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Macy’s (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Macy’s (about 400 feet away);
this page online
Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for Koster and Bial’s Music Hall. from The New York Times review of the event quoted in the article: “Then came into view two precious blonde young persons of the variety stage in pink and blue dresses, doing the umbrella dance with commendable celerity. Their motions were clearly defined. When they vanished, a view of an angry surf breaking on a sandy beach near a stone pier amazed the spectators. A burlesque boxing match between a tall, thin comedian and a short, fat one, a comic allegory called "The Monroe Doctrine"; an instant of motion in Hoyt's farce, "A Milk White Flag," repeated over and over again, and a skirt dance by a tall blonde completed the views, which were all wonderfully real and singularly exhilarating.” (Submitted on April 27, 2019.)
Photographed By Doran Howitt, April 25, 2013
2. Motion Picture Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, June 6, 2022
3. Motion Picture Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, June 6, 2022
4. Motion Picture Marker
Photographed By R. C., 2008
5. Motion Picture Marker (older photo)
The Strobridge Lith. Co, Cincinnati & New-York, 1896
6. Lithographed Poster for the Music Hall
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2008, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,133 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 24, 2008, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. 2. submitted on April 25, 2013, by D Howitt of Bergen County, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on November 24, 2008, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. 6. submitted on April 27, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
