This photo appears to be a slightly differently arranged version of the same display that appeared in the May 1938 issue of Playthings Magazine. That photo was presented by Bruce Manson, in his second Train Collector's Quarterly article cited on the New York Hall of Science page, as evidence that Gilbert used the phrase "Hall of Science" even before opening the building on 25th Ave and Broadway in 1941. This photo most likely dates from the same time period.

Hall of Science as remodeled by Gilbert

This photo is key to the first floor of the New York Hall of Science. Just about everything on the first floor is visible in this picture, so you can get a good idea of what was where. Closeup photos follow

This is an enlargement of the window at the center right of the previous photo. Through it you can get a glimpse of the main HO layout at the Hall of Science. The two windows just back from this corner location contained other toy displays and buttons that started animations.

Close up of the second bank of windows on the right at the far back of the first floor view. (2 slides back) They are on the other side of the central lobby across from the 25th St. entrance. You can see the "Push Me" buttons used to operate animations in the windows.

Photo of second floor sales area with another stylized GG1 locomotive like the one on the first floor that served as a reception desk. This one had a window and inside was an HO diorama.

Diorama inside the GG1 locomotive front in the last slide

This is the layout seen at the right side in the earlier photo of the second floor sales area

Another view of the Broadway display window featuring fans.

This display is in front of one of the porthole windows.

At the bottom of that last display is this O gauge locomotive kit.

The Second Floor Sales Room, which would one day hold the large layout we know so well from photos in catalogs and other sources.

Another view of the Second Floor Sales Room

Photo of the wholesale toy division on the third floor. A view in the opposite direction is included in the second Bruce Manson article cited on the New York Hall of Science page.

Erector displays, probably on the third loor, but perhaps at an earlier time than the previous photo

Although Bruce Manson, in his first Train Collector's Quarterly article cited on the New York Hall of Science page, identifies this photo and another as being taken on 4th floor, the lighting fixtures and the items displayed are more indicative of the 3rd floor wholesale toy division displays. Another photo in that article of what appears to be this same area is identified as a third floor view.

On the fourth floor, where fans and appliances were sold

Another view of the appliance floor displays

A view of the Broadway display window, which at the time of this photo featured appliances. It would later feature Erector and Science sets.

A view of the 1st floor from the Broadway side of the building. It was probably taken through the Broadway window as the displays from that window are shown in the foreground. At the far right you can see the GG1 locomotive front information desk.

The 25th Street side of the Hall of Science at night - Photo by F. M. Demarest

The Hall of Science at night including the American Flyer display window on the 5th Ave. side of the building - Photo by F. M. Demarest

An enlarged section of the previous photo showing the American Flyer display window. Can you see the ghosts of two passersby who stopped long enough to be caught in this long time exposure? Look for their feet in front of the window.