The Rise and Fall of Penn Station's primary photo
  • American Experience The Rise and Fall of Penn Station (Season 26, Episode 10)
  • TV Episode | 55 min | Documentary, Biography, History

American Experience

The Rise and Fall of Penn Station (Season 26, Episode 10)
TV Episode | 55 min | Documentary, Biography, History
In 1910, the Pennsylvania Railroad successfully accomplished an enormous engineering feat: knitting together the entire eastern half of the United States by building tunnels under New York City's Hudson and East Rivers, connecting the ...See moreIn 1910, the Pennsylvania Railroad successfully accomplished an enormous engineering feat: knitting together the entire eastern half of the United States by building tunnels under New York City's Hudson and East Rivers, connecting the railroad to New York and, eventually, to New England. The tunnels terminated in what was one of the greatest architectural achievements of its time, Pennsylvania Station. Designed by renowned architect Charles McKim, and inspired by the Roman baths of Caracalla, Pennsylvania Station covered nearly eight acres, extended two city blocks, and housed one of the largest public spaces in the world. But just 53 years after the station's opening, the unthinkable happened. What was supposed to herald and represent the American Empire was slated to be destroyed. The financially strapped Pennsylvania Railroad announced it would tear down what had once been its crowning jewel to build Madison Square Garden. It took three years to dismantle Alexander Cassatt's monumental station. In the wake of the destruction, New York City established the Landmarks Preservation Commission, sparing Grand Central Terminal a similar fate. Written by creednek See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Randall MacLowry
Writers
Jill Jonnes (original book) | Randall MacLowry
Cinematographers
Jason Longo | Stephen McCarthy
Editors
Glenn Fukushima | Sabrina Zanella-Foresi
See all filmmakers & crew (102)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Feb 18, 2014
Release date
Feb 18, 2014 (United States)
Awards
Series awards
Nominated for 1 Oscar Award. Another 84 wins & 123 nominations

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Cast

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2 cast members
Name Known for
Jill Jonnes's primary photo
Jill Jonnes
Self Self   See fewer
Frontline (1983)
Michael Murphy's primary photo
Michael Murphy
Self - Narrator (voice) Self - Narrator (voice)   See fewer
Manhattan (1979)
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2 external links (official websites, websites)