If you’re in New York in the next few months, be sure to go to the Museum of the City of New York for the Folk City 1935-65 exhibit. Curated by Dr Stephen Petrus, it tells the fascinating and moving story of how rural music found its greatest champions amid the brash modernity of Manhattan, a paradox explored in the exhibition and its accompanying book.  Allow plenty of time: in addition to memorabilia and historic artefacts, including the handwritten lyrics to four of Bob Dylan’s most celebrated songs, there are numerous film clips over which to linger, including a documentary on the battle for Washington Square Park in 1961 and newsreels from the civil rights movement, for which folk music provided the soundtrack.

Among the many guests on opening night were Bob Porco, grandson of Mike Porco, founder of Gerde’s Folk City, where Bob Dylan’s career was launched, and Betsy Siggins, who presided over the legendary Club 47 in Boston.

Here’s what the New York Times had to say.
And Britain’s fRoots.

A gallery of photos from the opening celebrations follows…