The Grateful Dead at New York Historical Society

So who of you thought that the Grateful Dead were just a bunch of crazy, drug-induced guys who liked to jam? We all know them for their original, eclectic style of music fusing rock, blues, folk, psychodelia, jazz (and what not…) as well as their super long improvisations at live shows. Well, since 2008, the University of California at Santa Cruz has been the permanent home of the Dead’s impressive archive of fan mail, photographs, posters, album art, stage props, banners, and recordings.

With all that said, here’s some awesome news for all you New Yorkers, Big Apple-visitors and of course our dear Columbus Circle Hostel guests! The very first large-scale exhibition of this Deadhead treasure trove is happening here at the New-York Historical Society, so you can see exactly what a long, strange and lucrative trip it’s been. Some of the highlights from the archive include concert and recording posters, album art, large-scale marionettes and other stage props, banners, and vast stores of decorated fan mail. We also found it extra exciting and interesting that as the band toured the country, they played in New York City on a regular basis, from early dates at Greenwich Village coffeehouses, spontaneous shows in Central Park and at Columbia University; to concerts at mid-sized venues, such as the Fillmore East, The Academy of Music and the 46th Street Rock Palace in Brooklyn during the 1970s; and, ultimately, to performances at larger halls and stadiums such as Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden and Giants Stadium.

And since the New York Historical Society is so conveniently located from CCH, go ahead and visit the exhibition! We guarantee an amazing experience that will take you on a safe but still pretty hallucinogenic trip with the Grateful Dead. You’ll get to see how the band,their philosophy and all of the social upheavals that had taken place at the time contributed to the shape of our current cultural and political landscape.

We’d love for you to share your opinions with us! Make sure to stop by at the front desk to chat.

New York Historical Society
170 Central Park West; New York NY
(212) 873-3400
www.nyhistory.org
Daily until July 4
$7 (students with ID)
$12 (adults)