Press

The New York State Museum is cranking up the volume and turning back the clock with a brand-new lobby display, Here Are The Beatles!, which transports visitors straight to one of the most electrifying nights in rock ‘n’ roll history—August 15, 1965—when the Fab Four took Shea Stadium by storm.

In the summer of 1965, more than 55,000 screaming fans packed into the home of the New York Mets, transforming the baseball diamond into a legendary stage for John, Paul, George, and Ringo. The Beatles delivered a 12-song set that included classics like “Twist and Shout” and “A Hard Day’s Night”—though the roar of the crowd was so deafening, the music was barely audible.  

This performance marked the first major stadium concert by a rock band in the United States, paving the way for the countless large-scale music events that have followed. The display immerses visitors in that cultural milestone with vibrant graphics, rare photographs, and reflections from the band.

Carrie Ross, Director of Exhibitions said, "Only New York could give the Beatles a welcome like this. Sixty years later, you can still feel the echo of that crowd, the pulse of the city, and the way the Beatles became part of our New York story. This display is a love letter to the night when the world’s biggest band met the world’s greatest city.”

Here Are The Beatles! will be on view in the Museum’s lobby through the fall. It is free and open to the public during regular museum hours.

About the New York State Museum

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website and subscribe to our newsletter.  

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