Flaco the Owl Commemorated at The New York Historical

David Barrett (b. 1963), Flaco on an Upper West Side Fire Escape, November 27, 2023. Courtesy of David Barret

The Year of Flaco, on view beginning February 7, 2025

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who captured the hearts of New Yorkers during his yearlong travels across Manhattan, is celebrated in a new exhibition at The New York Historical on view from February 7 – July 6, 2025. The Year of Flaco revisits the remarkable journey of this resilient raptor, who became a New York City icon after escaping from the Central Park Zoo.

Curated by Rebecca Klassen, curator of material culture, the exhibition features photographs and video documenting Flaco’s flight and his new life in the city, along with letters, drawings, and objects left at a memorial beneath Flaco’s favorite oak tree following his death one year ago on February 23, 2024. It also examines the dangers faced by birds in urban environments, legislation inspired by Flaco’s legacy, and practical steps for creating a safer city for wildlife.

As part of this tribute, a related installation in the Audubon’s Birds of America Focus Gallery highlights owls, primarily those native to New York, offering additional insights into these majestic creatures. Also on view is Pets and the City, a history of New Yorkers and their animal companions, featuring a specially commissioned portrait of Flaco.

The New York Historical is acquiring a selection of Flaco’s memorial as part of its History Responds initiative, which preserves historically significant moments as they unfold. History Responds collects materials that capture major events ensuring future generations can connect with the lived experiences of today.

A special public program, The Year of Flaco, takes place on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 6:30 pm. Jacqueline Emery and David Lei, photographers and co-authors of Finding Flaco: Our Year with New York City’s Beloved Owl, join Rebecca Klassen in conversation to examine the legacy of Flaco, from his escape from the Central Park Zoo to his social media celebrity status and the slate of legislation proposed in his honor to make the city a safer place for urban wildlife.

The New York Historical
170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024
www.nyhistory.org
(212) 873-3400

TICKETS
Adults: $24
Seniors/Educators/Active Military: $19
Students: $13
Children (5–13): $6
Children (4 and under): Free
*Pay-as-you-wish Fridays from 5–8 pm

About The New York Historical
New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution covering over 400 years of American history. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; peerless collections of art, documents, and artifacts; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. Connect with us at nyhistory.org or at @nyhistory on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Tumblr.