Marabou_NMAI_Rotunda

The grand rotunda of the Alexander Hamilton Customs House (NMAI) in New York. The ceiling is lined with murals of activity in New York harbor during the 1930s and full body portraits of famous explorers including Christopher Columbus.

The rotunda is lit by a large oval oculus window. The ceiling arches toward the walls and is lined with hand-painted murals. From the murals downward the walls are of white veined marble. The room is also oval. At the center of the room is an oval created by marble that is chest high. Within the marble oval are a series of wooden desks and cubbies. People would sit at the cubbies and collect customs. Now the center of the oval is empty except for four benches and 6 torch lamps.

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