U.S.S Main Monument, 1913. On February 15, 1898 the USS Maine, sitting in Havana Harbor, exploded, killing 266 sailors. Using the anti-Spanish sentiment, newspapers fanned the flames of horror and anger among Americans. In April of that year President William McKinley declared war on Spain. Newspaperman William Randolph Hearst, whose sensationalist yellow journalism had agitated the negative public opinion towards Spain, initiated a public fund to install a memorial almost immediately after the tragedy . The successful, but drawn out, fundraising campaign included benefits and collections taken up by groups large and small, from school drives to a ritzy Opera House event. The monument itself was created by architect Harold Van Buren Magonigle and sculptor Attilio Piccirilli and was to stand over 60 feet. More than 10 years after the explosion, with more than $100,000 raised, both the design and the location were confirmed. After an earlier rejection (fearing competition with the Columbus Statue), a site just within Central Park near the corner of 59th Street and Central Park West was approved. On Memorial Day 1913 the monument was dedicated in front of a crowd of thousands of the citizens and more than 10,000 sailors and soldiers. As the monument was uncovered, a 252 gun salute rang out from the Navy boats in the harbor.

Audrey Munson (1891-1996) was once the most famous artist’s model in the United States and her likeness can be found in a dozen public sculptures in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 1913, her likeness had become so prominent in public spaces that the New York Sun dubbed her "Miss Manhattan." For an in-depth look at the rise and tragic fall of America’s First Supermodel, we recommend “The Curse of Beauty: The Scandalous & Tragic Life of Audrey Munson, America’s First Supermodel” by James Bone and “Miss Manhattan” (Episode 200) of the 99% Invisible podcast.

Are you ready for a closeup? Try your hand at re-creating these historic photos at Columbus Circle! This challenge is only available to our iOS app users. If you don't yet have the Urban Archive App, download it here. Each location in this challenge has an address and a historic image tied to it. Check-in at each location by tapping the lock icon to the left of the clue. If you’re in the right place, it will turn green. Your challenge today is to take as many then-and-now photos as you can. Tap the image, and then the recreate button to line up the historical image with your present-day view. Once you're happy with your photo, hit save to add it to your camera roll. Please share these photos with team@urbanarchive.nyc once you've completed the challenge. Happy snapping!

The Public Design Commission (PDC) was established as the Municipal Art Commission by the New York City Charter in 1898 (following the consolidation of NYC). The Commission was tasked with the oversight of all public artworks and monuments, but its purview quickly expanded to include public structures and open spaces. Renamed in 2008, the PDC reviews the design of permanent works of architecture, landscape architecture, and art proposed on or over City-owned property. Projects are submitted by City agencies and include the construction, renovation, or restoration of buildings; the creation or rehabilitation of parks, playgrounds, and plazas; installation of lighting and other streetscape elements; signage; and the installation and conservation of artwork, including monuments and memorials. The Commission also acts as caretaker and curator of the City’s public art collection, which is located throughout the city’s public buildings and open spaces, and maintains an extensive archive documenting the history of New York City's public works. The PDC Archive maintains a collection of projects reviewed by the Commission since 1902, documenting more than 7,000 sites throughout New York City and providing a unique view into the history of the City’s public works. The designs that have been reviewed by the PDC throughout its over 120-year history are representative of the policies and focus of Mayoral administrations while simultaneously following historical trends in public design, public health, and artistic and cultural movements in the city and country at large. The following examples illustrate the breadth of projects under the PDC's purview, from large scale developments to streetscape fixtures that often go unnoticed. For an in-depth history of the Public Design Commission, see Michele H. Bogart’s book, "The Politics of Urban Beauty."

New York City is one of the most photographed places in the world. With globally-recognized icons like the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, this collection includes some of the city's most popular spots to recreate a historic photo, along with a few underrated gems. Remember, tag your photos on social media with @museumofcityny and @urbanarchiveny for a chance to have your before/after photos featured!