City's Royalty Toasts Shiny New Castle at American Museum of Natural History

Last night the American Museum of Natural History held a ribbon cutting and dinner to celebrate the restoration, dramatic new night lighting, and new landscaping of its 77th Street facade and grounds.

Those holding the ribbon during the cutting included Liz Krueger, Alfred Ross, George J.Gillespie III, Adrian Ross, Janet Ross, the museum’s chairman, Lewis Bernard, the museum's president, Ellen Futter, Kate Levin, Christine C. Quinn, Scott Stringer, Linda Rosenthal, Robert Tierney, Helen Rosenthal, and Dr. David Milton Steiner.

We're not huge fans of posed ribbon-cutting photographs and even if we were, we weren't invited to attend the ceremony. But we're happy to bring you this small portion of it, featuring the queens of the castle in royal blue, Janet Ross, left, and Ms. Futter, right, along with Mr. Bernard:

And we're pleased to bring you a photograph of the celebratory cake in the shape of the museum, which is still a de rigueur capital project menu item even in times of layoffs and belt-tightening.

The project cost $37 million and began in 2006. Major funding was provided by the City of New York through the Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the New York City Council. The facade, designed by Cady, Berg & See and built between 1891 and 1897, spans 700 feet and includes 637 windows and a 42-foot-wide monumental arch. It is now illuminated by 52 energy-efficient ceramic metal halide lamps. In a separate but related project, the late Arthur Ross, a trustee, funded the re-design and restoration of the 77th Street entry plaza. It now has ornate wood and cast iron benches with circular armrests.

Here are some of the remarks made in a press release:

Ms. Futter: “As improbable as it might seem to have a castle in New York City, this magnificently revitalized building reflects our commitment to honoring and preserving our past while advancing the most cutting-edge research, pioneering education, and highly topical exhibitions, all while providing the people of New York and an increasingly global and digital audience with unending wonder and discovery. We are so grateful to the City of New York and to the other supporters who have made this spectacular restoration a reality."

Ms. Quinn: “During these difficult times, New Yorkers, now more than ever, want to see restoration and renovation projects move forward. The completion of the American Museum of Natural History’s renowned castle façade sends the powerful message that even during the toughest of times, our City is still growing and working together.”

All photos courtesy the American Museum of Natural History