Long before the skyline was dominated by steel skyscrapers and the sonic landscape rumbled with the rhythmic hum of the subway, the land we now call New York City was a sprawling wilderness of lush wetlands, ancient forests and vibrant coastal estuaries. On April 25, the New York Botanical Garden will invite the public to peel back the layers of urban development with the launch of “Before New York,” a groundbreaking traveling pop-up exhibition.
Based on twenty-five years of meticulous research by Dr. Eric W. Sanderson, NYBG’s Vice President of Urban Conservation, the exhibition offers a scientific journey back to the year 1609. Before Henry Hudson’s arrival and the subsequent colonization of the region, the five boroughs comprised one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes on the Atlantic coast.
“Before New York” will debut in the NYBG’s Ross Gallery in the Bronx before embarking on a journey across all five boroughs through Autumn 2026. The exhibition utilizes large-scale photographs, never-before-seen digital renderings and data-driven soundscapes to recreate the sights and sounds of the pre-colonial era. You can check out panoramic images tailored to each specific borough, so you can stand in a modern neighborhood while viewing a digital window into its prehistoric geography.
The deeply immersive experience contrasts the modern street grid with the original terrain, the with soundscapes that reconstruct historical bird calls and environmental echoes. “The natural history of our own backyard has so much to teach us,” says Dr. Sanderson. “It is my hope that this exhibition will… inspire everyone who sees it to champion the conservation of nature into the future.”
Beyond the visuals, the project includes public lectures, guided walking tours focused on neighborhood restoration and art programs. These events aim to show how the city’s development was shaped by its natural environment and how understanding this history can help us build a more sustainable, greener future.
Whether you are a history buff or a nature lover, Before New York offers a profound new perspective on the concrete jungle, and a reminder that beneath the pavement, the spirit of the wild still remains.
