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Opening Ceremonies of the New York Coliseum
![Long lines of people form outside New York’s Coliseum to be on hand for the opening, and file into the $35 million exhibition hall, April 28, 1956.](https://media.wnyc.org/i/800/0/l/85/1/AP_560428061.jpg)
The opening of the New York Coliseum. Master of Ceremonies. Robert Moses, Chairman of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. Speakers include Gov. Averell. Harriman; Mayor Robert F. Wagner: Post Master General Arthur E. Summerfield; and Frank J Meistrell, Deputy Administrator of the US Housing and Home Finance Agency.
Moses' intermittent speeches as emcee discuss the difficulties the Triborough Authority had getting the project off the ground, either from legal troubles or disagreements with the federal government. Moses also mentions the beginning of the Lincoln Center development.
Summerfield discusses the symbolic power of stamps (the first exhibition to open was a stamp collector conventions), reading a statement from President Eisenhower, while Governor jokes about Moses' combative ways, praising the Coliseum.
Meistrell discusses the raison d'etre of the Coliseum as an excellent example of urban renewal and highlights the renewal programs to come from the 1954 Housing Act.
(The audio on this recording distorts due to poor calibration at the time of creation.)
A WNYC announcer introduces the day's program.
Robert Moses chairs the day's proceedings.
Moses declines to "pour statistics" on the assembled audience, they are instead in a pamphlet.
On behalf of the various parties involved in creating the Coliseum at Columbus Circle, Moses thank the audience for attending.
He introduces Robert Wagner as a unceasing supporter of the Coliseum.
Wagner thanks the assembled audience. He compares the Coliseum to the Colossus of Rhodes. He describes the Coliseum's facilities. It will place New York first in the convention etc, business in the world. He alludes to the cornerstone laying (WNYC Archive Catalog number 150410). He thanks Bernard Gimbel, Moses, and others for their efforts.
Moses returns to the dais. He jokes about the oversensitive community that is New York City. He does not know if the Coliseum would have been built without the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau behind it.They wished the job on the Triborough Authority. They did not shy from the project when opposition was met. He thanks them for their support. He introduces their Chairman, Bernard Gimbel.
Gimbel thanks the attendees. His organization has looked forward to the Coliseum's building for some time. He thanks Moses. New York will be America's top convention city. He talks about the modernity of the building, and how it drew in atypical shows. The board of directors of the NYC Convention and Visitors Bureau has drafted a resolution/statement, which Gimbel reads. It reiterates the sentiments expressed in earlier parts of his speech and pledges that the Bureau will fulfill the Coliseum's potential.
Moses mentions the three shows immediately planned for the Coliseum. He discusses the interest in the Coliseum, as well as in stamps (a philatelist convention was one of the first planned shows). Moses introduces the postmaster general, Arthur Summerfield.
Summerfield thanks attendees for arriving. Summerfield is honored to be in attendance. He gives Eisenhower's seal of approval. The Coliseum will be opened with the largest stamp collecting conference ever held. Stamps are a picture gallery of US history. He quotes the president about the importance of stamps and the goodwill involved in the meeting place that is the Coliseum.
Moses discusses the business leadership in Flint, Michigan. He praises their ability to get things done.
He talks about difficulties implementing "Title 1" (of the 1949 Housing Act) He introduces Deputy Administrator of the US Housing and Home Finance Agency, Frank J. Meistrell.
Meistrell discusses the problematic past Moses and Meistreel's organization have had in regards to Title 1. Meistrell represents the Federal Government. He talks about the change that the Coliseum represents - the social benefits derived from the federal - municipal partnership. He praises slum clearance and removal of blight. The Coliseum (and urban renewal) both saves money and makes money. He sees urban renewal as a tool to be used by large and small cities.
He discusses the 1954 Housing Act, which cleared the way for Urban Renewal. Urban renewal is very good business - it is an investment. There are better citizens because there are better city conditions. He relates urban renewal to prosperity.
Moses talks about the Lincoln Square project, alluded to by Meistrell. Moses talks about New York's very successful efforts to advertise New York's boons. He introduces Governor Averell Harriman.
Harriman acknowledges the attendees. He too alludes the the Colossus at Rhodes, referring this time to Robert Moses. He jokes about Moses bending congress to his will in regards to Title 1. He jokes that if he lived on West Side of Central Park he'd out (protesting) with the mothers and the prams (?). He talks about some of the statistics alluded to by Moses. He talks about New York's success with title 1. He praises Mayor Robert Wagner. He tells us that the coliseum solidifies NYC.
A WNYC Announcer recaps the day's events and speakers.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150429
Municipal archives id: LT7249