NYC’s Museum of Nostalgia: A Dream Come True for Retro Lovers

The Museum of Nostalgia is exactly what it sounds like—a space filled with everyday items from past decades. It's located in Astoria, Queens, and mainly focuses on presenting ordinary things people actually lived with. If you're a retro lover, this place will heal your inner child.

Here’s what sets this place apart from every other museum in New York.

Founders: Phebe Taylor and Jeff Zappala

The museum began with two collectors, Phebe Taylor and Jeff Zappala, who simply ran out of room. Their growing stockpile of toys, packaging, oddball electronics, and childhood artifacts started to feel like it deserved a separate space. So, instead of packing more into closets, they opened the doors to everyone else.

Location in Astoria, Queens

Once they decided on a separate space, the founders didn’t head for SoHo or somewhere near Times Square. They set up shop on 31st Street in Queens, just a block from the subway and surrounded by real life—Greek delis, corner bodegas, and families with strollers. It’s the kind of place where a museum like this actually fits.

A Recreated Living Room 

Plenty of museums go for nostalgia, but few are this specific. There’s a full 1980s living room installation, complete with floral-patterned furniture and a working Zenith set, but it’s not dressed up to be cute. It’s accurate. The couch is wrapped in that familiar plastic that stuck to your legs in the summer. The lighting too is just dim, like basements were.

You Can Buy Things—But Not Necessarily

There's also a retail side to this space. Yes, visitors can purchase a stack of Garbage Pail Kids or a sealed box of discontinued cereal toys. But the setup doesn't push product and respects the boundary between a museum and a store. Visitors browse, and if they want to take something home, fine. If not, it still works.

Community Events and Activities

On weekends, the museum hosts movie nights with original trailers and commercials, themed evenings, and art openings featuring reinterpretations of vintage media. They’re designed for people in the neighborhood who want something a little different to do on a Friday night.

Media Features and Recognition

Word got out quickly, and local press couldn't resist. The Astoria Post and Time Out New York have both featured it, and fans constantly tag it on social media. Despite this, there has been no glossy rebrand or tourist-trap reworking. The mission remains steady: show the past honestly and invite people to engage with it.

Collaborations with Local Artists

Several local artists have contributed installations and pieces that reinterpret the culture of past decades. Some are visual reinterpretations of VHS covers or satirical reworks of ‘80s toy ads. These collaborations bring in new perspectives that challenge simple nostalgia and ask viewers to consider what these objects said about the time they came from.

Kids Are Engaged Too

Though the museum draws in a lot of adults, it’s surprisingly effective for children. They’re drawn to the bright packaging, strange buttons, and oddly shaped screens. There’s a natural curiosity—how did people use this? Why did that matter? Staff are happy to explain without condescension.