LinkNYC kiosks will now display historic photos of NYC neighborhoods

The city’s LinkNYC kiosk serve many functions; you can browse the internet (through your device), make free phone calls, charge your phone, and access various city services and maps. Now, these kiosks will serve a new function: they will act as a repository of the neighborhoods’ pasts.

LinkNYC has teamed up with the city’s Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) to show off historic photos from NYC neighborhoods on Link’s 55-inch digital screens. While these images will be specific to the link kiosks in the neighborhood, in some instances they may be images from the very same block where the kiosk is installed.

“LinkNYC now allows you to travel back in time with localized historic photos, bringing the Department of Records and Information Services’ rich digital collections to the streets for everyone to enjoy,” Jen Hensley, the general manager of LinkNYC, said in a statement. “We hope New Yorkers and visitors alike will delight in seeing snapshots of New York City history and feel more connected to the city.”

Since its launch in early 2016, LinkNYC’s kiosks have expanded to all five boroughs. Currently there are more than 1,100 kiosks throughout the city, and many more are set to follow in the coming years. Together they’ve served over 2.6 million people so far.

• The Pay Phone of the Future Will Have Wi-Fi, Charging Stations [Curbed]
• With Official Launch, LinkNYC Set to Bring Wi-Fi, Directions to NYers [Curbed]
• High Line spur, LinkNYC among city’s most important new public projects [Curbed]