Garment District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Here the Motion Picture Began

Motion Picture Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., November 22, 2008

1. Motion Picture Marker

Inscription. 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); Broadway at 35th Street (about 500 feet away); Herald Square (about 500 feet away); The New York Herald (about 500 feet away); James Gordon Bennett Monument (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . .

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

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

Motion Picture Marker (older photo) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., 2008

5. Motion Picture Marker (older photo)

Lithographed Poster for the Music Hall image. Click for full size.

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 Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,179 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 24, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne 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 Ronald Claiborne 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.