New York City is Giving Mad Men a Proper Goodbye

April 5 marks the end of era—not only are Don, Betty, Peggy, Joan and the gang moving on from the 1960s, but fans are bidding adieu to a series that evoked nostalgia in former flower children and introduced a new generation to a side of the sixties people don’t often talk about.

In addition to entertaining and connecting audiences young and old since it first aired in 2007, Mad Men also brought a new type of tourist to Manhattan. That happens often, but this time New Yorkers actually welcomed them with open arms (OK, not wide open, but slightly), probably because for once, New Yorkers were actually fans of the show claiming their city as its home. If you know anything about New Yorkers, it’s that they aren’t always on board with shows set in their city, but Matthew Weiner has accomplished the impossible.

To show support and gratitude, New York is giving its final blessing with Mad Men-themed activities around the city in honor of the last seven episodes, which premiere on AMC April 5.

The Long Lunch

Photo via Iconosquare/@streetbuffnyc

• The network responsible for the groundbreaking series has partnered with the city to give fans and foodies an opportunity to lunch like the advertising elite during the weeklong Mad Men Dining Week. What started Monday will continue until March 29 and involves 34 restaurants around New York City. For an era-appropriate $19.69, guests can choose between a two-course menu featuring cuisine of the 1960s or two drinks inspired by the time period. Reservations are available now.
The Presentation

Photo via Museum of the Moving Image on Facebook by Thanassi Karageorgiou

• Astoria’s Museum of the Moving Image is hosting a new exhibition until June 14 entitled Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men. The exhibit explores the creative process behind the hit television series and includes large-scale sets of Don Draper’s office and the kitchen from the Draper home, more than 25 costumes, props, video clips, advertising art and personal notes and research material from series creator, Weiner.

• In conjunction with the life-size exhibition, the Museum of the Moving Image is also presenting Required Viewing: Mad Men’s Movie Influences, a film series featuring flicks that inspired Weiner when creating Mad Men and became required viewing for anyone working on the show. The series will run until April 26.

• Weiner will also lead An Afternoon with Mad Men’s Matthew Weiner Sunday, March 29 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Weiner will speak about how the television series became, in part, about the evolution of Jewish identity in postwar America (a la Michael Ginsberg, season five).

• The New York Public Library is paying tribute to the series with their Mad Men Book List, a collection of 25 books that were read by the show’s characters. Three of the largest branches have displays of the books and 19 branches are offering copies to borrow. All NYPL patrons can access e-book versions until April 5.

• The series might be ending, but it was just set in stone … for the summer, at least. Weiner, Jon Hamm, January Jones and other cast members unveiled a Mad Men-dedicated monument March 23 outside the Time-Life Building in Midtown Manhattan, where Mad Men’s fictional advertising agency is located. The dedication is in the form of a bench (pictured on page 1) and shows a black silhouette of Draper sitting with one arm resting on the back of the seat. The only non-black details are a shirt cuff and cigarette. You might recognize the figure, which will be seated at 1271 Avenue of the Americas through the summer, from the show’s opening credits.

• Queens isn’t the only outer-borough showing some Mad Men love. A few characters did venture over the bridges every now and then … didn’t they? Either way, The Brooklyn Academy of Music is bidding farewell to the show with a two-day fest of films that inspired the cast and crew. Mad Men at the Movies will take place April 22-April 23 and include discussions with Weiner and a mystery cast member. Films include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Lost Weekend and Mirage.
The Pitch

Photo via Flickr/The Cable Show

• Just as the final season starts heating up, fans can pick the brain of the mad man himself. An Evening with Matthew Weiner; is a public program being held the 92nd Street Y April 28 at 8 p.m. in the Kaufmann Concert Hall for $45.

• Want to wait until the end to avoid spoilers? Join Weiner several days after the doors to the Sterling Cooper & Partners offices shut for good. The show’s creator closes out his run around the city at the New York Public Library for a special installment of LIVE from the NYPL to talk about the show’s themes, characters and history. Tickets to the May 20 talk are $25 for general admission.

Elizabeth Ann Gerber is a writer for Paste Travel and a student at the University of Georgia with an unhealthy coffee addiction.