What did New York look like in the late 19th century? Obviously it was a bustling and energetic place, but what were some of its key characteristics? We can tell a bit about it from first-hand narratives, photographs, and maps, but it's also useful to know that there were some intriguing films made around the Big Apple during this time. This marvelous collection from the Library of Congress's American Memory Project brings together 45 films of New York from 1896 to 1906. The films were made by the American Mutoscope and Biography Company and the Edison Company. Before diving into the films, visitors should look over the short essays in the "Understanding the Collection" area. Here they can read up on "America at the Turn of the Century" and "Pioneer Cameraman" to garner some context for understanding these unique items. In these films, visitors will find clips of Battery Park, Broadway, early automobiles, and policemen.