New York Firsts

This exhibit celebrates an array of New York “firsts."

Exhibition Information

State Street Tunnel, Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York

New York State has consistently led the way with countless innovative firsts, historic milestones, and individuals breaking barriers. With everything from hosting the first woman’s rights convention or advocating for LGBTQ+ rights; to innovations such as the safety elevator or perforated toilet paper; to foods such as Buffalo wings and JELL-O; New York’s innovative and forward-thinking spirit is undeniable.

This exhibition celebrates firsts, whether first in the world, first in the country, or first in New York. Milestones continued when New Yorkers elected their first female governor in 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul. The display highlights an array of New York “firsts” that have left an enduring legacy upon innovation, culture, and activism in the United States and worldwide.

New York Firsts

Arts & Culture

NY Firsts - NY Botanic Garden

First Public Medical Botanical Garden: The Elgin Botanic Garden

The first public medical botanical garden founded in 1801 in Manhattan

NY Firsts - Hip Hop DJ Kool Herc with friends at T-Connection

Birthplace of Hip-Hop

The Hip-Hop music movement was kick-started in 1973 in the Bronx

NY Firsts - Stonewall National Monument

First LGBTQ+ National Monument & Visitor Center: Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn became the first LGBTQ+ site in the nation listed on the...

NY Firsts - Wyckoff House rear of house

First Officially Designated Landmark in New York: Wyckoff House...

The Wyckoff House Museum was built in what is now Brooklyn in 1652

Food

NY Firsts - Saratoga Chips bag

Saratoga Chips: America’s First Kettle Chip

Kettle-fried chips first made at Moon's Lake House in 1853 in Saratoga Springs

NY Firsts - Buffalo Chicken Wings

First Fried Buffalo Wings

The popular Buffalo Wing was created in 1964 in Buffalo

NY Firsts - Jello

First Gelatin Dessert Powder Patent

JELL-O traces its origins to 1845 in LeRoy and New York City

Inventions

NY Firsts - Modern Air Conditioning Design

First Form of Modern Air Conditioning

The first modern air conditioner design was submitted in 1902 by a Buffalo...

NY Firsts - The Beach Pneumatic Transit

NYC’s First Pneumatic Subway

The first pneumatic subway started in 1870 in Manhattan

NY Firsts - Replica of Clermont steamboat

First Commercially Successful Passenger Steamboat

The first commercially successful passenger steamboat launched in 1807 from New...

NY Firsts - Otis Passenger Elevator

First Safety Passenger Elevator: Otis Elevator

Otis elevators were first use in the 1850s in Manhattan.

NY Firsts - Scrabble

Innovation in New York: Scrabble’s Origins

The origins of the game Scrabble date to during the Great Depression in Queens

NY Firsts - Packaged Toilet Paper

First Modern Perforated Toilet Paper Roll

The first modern perforated toilet paper was patented in 1891 in Albany

Sports

NY Firsts - Jackie Robinson

The First Black player in modern Major League Baseball: Jackie...

Jackie Robinson started with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

NY Firsts - Lake Placid Olympics sign

First Olympic Winter Games in North America: Lake Placid

The first Olympic Winter Games held in North America took place in Lake Placid...

Legislation & Politics

NY Firsts - Federal Hall in NYC

First Capital of the Nation

New York City became the country's first capital in 1785.

NY Firsts - Niagara Falls State Park Footbridge

First State Park in the United States: Niagara State Park

Niagara Falls State Park became the first state park in the nation in 1885.

NY Firsts - Washington Headquarters in Newburgh

First Public Historic Site in the Nation: Washington’s...

Gen. George Washington's headquarters in Newburgh became the first publicly...

NY Firsts - Same Sex Marriage at Niagara Falls

First Same-Sex Marriage held in New York

New York's first same-sex marriage took place in 2011.

NY Firsts - Congress member Shirley Chisholm

The First Black Congresswoman: Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to U.S. Congress in 1968

NY Firsts - Wesleyan Chapel, site of the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention

First Women’s Rights Convention: The Seneca Falls Convention

The first women's rights convention took place in 1848 in Seneca Falls