State History

This article originally appeared on the Undiscarded and The City Reliquary website.

When you think of museum-worthy artifacts in New York, your mind probably goes to well-established cultural institutions with big names. The Met boasts incredible pieces like their most ancient artifact, a set of Acheulean flints from Deir el-Bahri, dating back to the Lower Paleolithic period. If you are in more of an American mood, you can see the Bible from George Washington’s inauguration at the New York Historical Society. These pieces are undeniably inspiring, deserving of our time and contemplation, and contribute to the city’s cultural appeal (just ask the hoards of tourists visiting our city!).

The Reliquary’s motley crew of items may not fit the typical definition of “museum relics” but I hope we’ve established through the art of podcasting, just how special they are. These items originate from everyday New Yorkers, reflecting the city’s ever-evolving natural environment. So far this season, you’ve heard about a sign from a beloved deli (Ep3), a broken shovel discovered by a tunnel engineer (Ep11), or an old lightbulb from the Statue of Liberty’s keeper (Ep1). More often than not, these items find their way to the museum via a passionate collector or museum volunteer who insists that it deserves its time under the bright lights of a display case. I was curious how this unconventional approach to artifacts would translate into getting support for the show. But thankfully every guest I spoke to went the extra mile with enthusiasm and passion for their topic, and every collaboration I sought out expressed genuine love and interest for this little, overcrowded space, built on passion alone. Thank you to our Season 1 Partners 2nd Ave Deli, N-YHS & Queens Museum – be sure to visit them this summer. Read more...