Joe Macken, a truck driver from upstate New York, spent 22 years building a 50-by-27-foot miniature scale model of New York City entirely from balsa wood, cardboard, and glue. The model, which includes all five boroughs and landmarks like the Twin Towers and One World Trade Center, went viral on TikTok after Macken’s daughter encouraged him to post a video. It is now on display at the Museum of the City of New York in an exhibition titled *He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model*.
This story matters because it highlights the power of social media to elevate outsider art and personal passion projects into major museum exhibitions. Macken’s model, inspired by a childhood visit to the Panorama at the Queens Museum, represents a remarkable feat of dedication and craftsmanship. The exhibition also underscores how museums are increasingly engaging with viral content and community-driven narratives to attract diverse audiences.