Museum of the City of New York Lets Visitors Virtually Topple George III Statue

"The Occupied City," a new exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York, commemorates America's semiquincentennial by highlighting the city's involvement in the Revolutionary War. An engaging interactive element invites guests to pull ropes to topple a virtual replica of the 4,000-pound statue of King George III, which colonists dismantled on July 9, 1776. The statue's metal was repurposed into 42,088 musket balls. Spanning 7,000 square feet and developed in collaboration with the Gotham Center for New York City History, the exhibit showcases Revolutionary-era artifacts, immersive settings, and multimedia displays. Noteworthy items include a log of enslaved individuals seeking freedom, a recreation of 18th-century New York inspired by "Assassin's Creed III," and personal belongings of Alexander Hamilton. Curator Sarah Henry emphasizes that the revolution is a narrative for New Yorkers. The Battle of Brooklyn, the war's largest confrontation, took place in late August 1776, with British occupation lasting until late 1783. The exhibition is open until spring 2027.