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Waterfront Preservation Programs Announced

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New York City’s Historic Districts Council, the citywide advocate for New York’s historic neighborhoods, will be presenting &#8220On the Waterfront in New York,&#8221 a series of films, lectures, and discussions exploring the history and preservation of NYC’s historic waterfront neighborhoods &#8211 much of which is proposed for redevelopment. Topics will include the preservation of South Street, the commercial and industry history of the waterfront, and a waterfront tour of the South Street seaport.

Film Screening and Discussion: Street of Ships
Thursday, October 1, 2009, 6:30pm
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue at East 2nd Street, Manhattan
Fee: $15/$10 for Friends of HDC, seniors & students.

“Street of Ships” is a 1982 documentary by Charles Richards that chronicles the efforts by Peter Stanford and the early Friends of South Street to save from destruction and preserve some of the city’s oldest and most historically significant buildings. It concludes with the controversy surrounding the goals of 1980s commercial developers versus those wishing to maintain the area’s historical authenticity. The film features archival footage of the Seaport that evokes its past uses as a port and commercial district, along with interviews with area stakeholders and policy experts. The film will be followed by a presentation by Robert LaValva, founder and director of New Amsterdam Market, about the role of waterfront markets. The program will conclude with a discussion—reflecting new opportunities for the future of the Seaport District—with participants from the film including Peter Stanford, a founder and past president of South Street Seaport Museum and Terry Walton, a founder of the Seaport Museum and vice chair of the Working Harbor Committee.

On the Waterfront: A Lecture
Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 6:30pm
The Seamen’s Church Institute, 241 Water Street, Manhattan
Fee: $15/$10 for Friends, seniors & students.

This panel will examine the history and future of the waterfront through different lenses, from the commercial past of its wharves and docks to the adaptive reuse of structures still lining its edges. Richard A. Greenwald, professor of history and dean of graduate studies at Drew University will discuss the commercial aspects of New York City’s waterfront development from the mid-19th century up to 1950 as depicted in the film, “On the Waterfront.” Roland Lewis, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, will examine the reuse of industrial structures along the City’s waterfront. The third speaker, Kevin Bone, an architect and editor of several books on the waterfront, will address the history and development of Manhattan’s historic seawall, a gargantuan structure which encircles the whole island and has literally shaped how the city has grown.

From the Ferries to the Fish Market: A Walking Tour of the South street Seaport
Sunday, October 18, 2009, 11:00am
Location to be announced upon registration.
Fee: October 18: $35/$25 for Friends, seniors & students.

The series will conclude with an in-depth tour of the South Street Seaport, examining such noted landmarks as the South Street Seaport Museum, the WPA-era New Market Building, and historic local businesses. Tour attendees will hear about the South Street Seaport’s diverse past from its beginnings up to the current day as a commercial, retail and residential district. Mr. LaValva will also discuss the role of public markets in shaping the East River waterfront. More recent history and plans for the future, including the massive redevelopment proposal by General Growth Properties will also be addressed by special guest Madeline Rogers. Due in part to this proposed development, in 2009 the Historic Districts Council successfully nominated the Seaport to the Preservation League of New York State’s “Seven to Save” listing of places to preserve in New York State. The tour will end at Acqua, a noted Seaport establishment for a complimentary drink. The exact location for the tour will be announced upon registration.

The complete series of all three events is $60/$40 for Friends, seniors & students. Advance reservations are required. Tickets can be ordered by visiting or contacting www.hdc.org, 212-614-9107 or [email protected].

Weekly New York History Blogging Round-Up

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  • Adirondack Musing: Fort Montgomery, Rouses Point [Photos]
  • Wonder And The Wooden Post: The House The Vanderbilts Built
  • Patell and Waterman’s History of NY: Public historian
  • Ephemeral New York: Queens Housewife Gets Electric Chair
  • Confessions of a Preservationist: Fulsome Frank Lloyd Wright Frenzy
  • Berne, New York: Update on Albany Hilltowns
  • American Folk Art: Joseph Hidley and The Burning of Troy
  • HULIQ: Where Do U.S. Presidents Stay in NYC?
  • Dance Advantage: Ballet — Its Origins and History
  • HNN: Tweeting History

    • 10,000 Years of Pre-History in Rye at Jay Heritage Center

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    Rye boasts unique prehistoric resources including one of the top 12 important Paleo-Indian archaeological sites in New York State. In studying the Jay Property since 1982, archaeologists, including the late Prof. Byland, and Dr. Boesch have found compelling evidence of early tribal settlement, hunting and fishing patterns substantiated by numerous artifacts including quartz projectile points and decorated pottery shards. There will be an opportunity to see these specimens up close and learn what they tell us about pre-historic life in Rye during a lecture this Sunday, September 27th, at 4:00pm in the 1907 Van Norden Carriage House at the Jay Heritage Center &#8211 1838 Peter Augustus Jay House, Rye, NY.

    Archaeologist Dr. Eugene Boesch has been researching the Jay Property since 2006 conducting documentary research and archaeological investigations which uncovered evidence for the 18th century Jay home known as &#8220The Locusts&#8221 and earlier Native American occupations on the property dating back at least 4,000 years.

    This special lecture is endowed in memory of the late Prof. Bruce Byland a member of the faculty of Lehman College of the City University of New York. In the New York area he worked with the Metropolitan Forensic Anthropology Team in the identification of the remains of Pierre Toussaint, since Beatified by the Catholic Church, and in the excavation of New York’s colonial African Cemetery. He was the catalyst for a multi-year archaeological study of the Boston Post Road Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, with the Jay Heritage Center. The finds from this excavation are being prepared for future exhibit at the Jay site.

    The event is free for Jay Heritage Center members- $5 for non-members.

    Roundtable to Discuss Cortland County Railroad History

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    A panel of railroad scholars and buffs will give a presentation on “Railroads in Cortland County: Past, Present and Future” from 8-9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, in SUNY Cortland’s Park Center Hall of Fame Room. Sponsored by the President’s Office and the College’s Center for Educational Exchange (CEE), the community roundtable is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 7:45 a.m.

    All Community Roundtables are recorded and available as Webcasts on SUNY Cortland’s central Webcasting page at cortland.edu/webcast.


    This special, extended roundtable will explore the historical uses of rail service in this area as well as current and potential tourist destination opportunities. The speakers will include Sharon Todd, an associate professor of recreation, parks and leisure studies at SUNY Cortland, and Tom Trencansky, executive director of the Cayuga Nature Center.

    Following the discussion, Vince Minnella, director emeritus of instructional resources at SUNY Cortland, will briefly introduce and then show the popular, 30-minute locally produced video, “That Lonesome Whistle: The Railroads of Cortland County,” to attendees who wish to stay beyond the usual ending time of 9 a.m.

    The history of railroads in Central New York is rich and varied. Even decades after the railroad industry’s decline, a variety of small tourist train operations have continued intermittently in this region.

    Todd will summarize results of a two-year study completed for the New York State Department of Economic Development by students in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department at SUNY Cortland. The study explores the extent to which citizens would support and use a local tourist excursion train between Binghamton, N.Y., and Cortland. Todd will share results from a survey about ridership on the Central New York Maple Festival train, and ideas for other excursion trains and their psychological, economic, educational and community benefits.

    Trencansky, a photographer of trains and railroads and the founder of the Cornell Railroad Historical Society, will share an entertaining musical presentation that highlights the scenes and long history of New York state and Cortland County railroads.

    “That Lonesome Whistle” was produced by the Sperry Learning Resources Center in 1979 as a project supported by a SUNY Faculty Grant for the Improvement of Undergraduate Instruction.

    A nostalgic look back at the rich history of railroads in Cortland County, the video highlights the vitality and economic impact of freight and passenger travel from the 1850s through the 1900s and on to its decline following World War II. Archival photographs take the viewer to the thriving passenger stations on Central Avenue and South Avenue. They will enjoy a virtual ride on the Cortland-Homer Horse Railway, which after becoming the Cortland and Homer Traction Company extended from South Avenue in the city to Little York in Preble.

    Minnella, who produced and wrote the video script, was associate director of the Sperry Center when the video was taped. Marcia Carlson, SUNY Cortland professor emerita of recreation and leisure studies, directed the video with the help students in her Recreation Administration class. Morris Bogard, SUNY Cortland associate vice president emeritus for academic affairs, narrated the film.


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    “River of Tides” Henry Hudson Play Premieres Saturday

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    “River of Tides,” a play about Henry Hudson’s 1609 journey on the river that came to bear his name written by the Native American novelist, storyteller and poet Joseph Bruchac will premiere this Saturday, September 26 at 5 PM at Pace University’s Schimmel Theater. Based on Indian legends and the diary of a Hudson crewmember, the production hopes to show viewpoints neglected in the current Hudson celebrations. A talkback discussion with the director and actors will immediately follow the free show (reservations are suggested).

    The diverse cast includes several Native American actors, including the actor and storyteller Joe Cross, from the Caddo tribe of Oklahoma, a veteran of network television and off-Broadway and regional theater. The British television and stage actor Jonathan Le Billon creates the role of Hudson’s first mate and journal-keeper Robert Juet. Musical accompaniment by The Spirit of the Mountain Drummers and Singers from the Ramapo Nation. The play is directed by Ruis Woertendyke, chair of the Performing Arts Department at Pace University.

    Venue address, including cross streets and nearest subways:

    Pace University, Schimmel Theater, 3 Spruce Street, New York, NY 10038 (east of Park Row, near the corner of Gold Street). SUBWAY: #3 or # 2 to Park Place- 4 or 5 or 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall- A or C to Broadway / Nassau Street- N or R to City Hall – J or Z or M to Chambers Street.

    Register by calling 212-868-4444 (SmartTix) or 212-346-1091 (Pace Cultural Affairs) or by visiting www.SmartTix.com.

    Photo: Joe Cross (Caddo Nation of Oklahoma) as Old Turtle Walking in “The River of Tides.” Photo by Jonathan L. Smith/Pace University.

    Weekly New York History Blogging Round-Up

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  • UpTake Vacations Blog: NYC’s Museum of Sex
  • Tugster: A Waterblog: Sixth Boro Sailing Barges
  • Old Salt Blog: The Seamen’s Church Institute’s Floating Chapels
  • Defenders Online: Black History &#8211 The More You Learn…
  • Peter Mancall: Judging Henry Hudson
  • Algonkian Church History: Samuel Miller &#8211 Chief Uhm-Pa-Tuth
  • The Bowery Boys: Forgotton Election Day Traditions
  • American Folk Art: African American Cigar Store Indian

    • Rensselaer County Historical Society Hosts Walking Tours

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    The Rensselaer County Historical Society will offer walking tours of historic downtown Troy on Saturday mornings, leaving from the Market Table at the Troy Farmer’s Market at 10:30 am. The topics will vary each week ­and include the Underground Railroad, the history of Troy’s fire and police departments, and more.

    The tours are being led by Historical Society staff and frequently incorporate historic photographs and readings from letters and diaries. The tours last approximately an hour. Cost: $5 for not-yet-members of the Historical Society- free for Society members.

    HISTORY WALK: People, Place & Progress
    Saturday, September 19, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    This introduction to Troy history and architecture looks at how the city evolved from its initial founding in 1789 as a village to its 19th century heyday and on into the 20th century. The sites of many important events will be discussed along with some of the people who made the name Troy known around the world.

    HISTORY WALK: Jacob Vanderheyden and the Village of Troy
    Saturday, September 26, 2009, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    Before Troy was Troy, it was known as Vanderheyden, after Jacob Vanderheyden, the Dutch farmer who laid out the streets and alleys of what is now the city of Troy. Explore the one square mile area in the city’s downtown historic district where the early settlement of Troy took place.

    HISTORY WALK: &#8220To Protect and Serve&#8221
    Saturday, October 3, 2009, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    Firehouses, church bells, and night constables &#8211 and a dash of murder and mayhem. This walking tour focuses on the colorful history of Troy’s municipal police and fire departments, from their volunteer origins to today’s public servants.

    FAMILY HISTORY WALK: History Underfoot and Overhead
    Saturday, October 10, 2009, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    History is everywhere in Troy. Families with kids ages 5 and up will enjoy this interactive walk through Troy’s past. We’ll look at the buildings around us for clues that tell us about the past and get hands-on with history. You’ll come away saying &#8220I never knew that about Troy!&#8221

    HISTORY WALK: Troy’s Amazing Architecture
    Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    This walking tour uses Troy’s rich 19th and 20th century built environment to explore and learn about a range of styles and types of buildings. You’ll never see it the same way again!

    HISTORY WALK: Underground Railroad Walking Tour
    Saturday, October 24, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    Troy was a hotbed of abolitionist activity in the 19th century. This walking tour will highlight the sights associated with the African American community in the first half of the 19th century. Included will be sites associated with the famous rescue of escaped slave Charles Nalle by thousands of Trojans and the now famous Harriet Tubman.

    HISTORY WALK: Murder and Mayhem
    Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10:30 &#8211 11:30 am
    Who knows what ghosts might haunt the streets of Troy? You will, after taking part in this walk through the more colorful stories of Troy’s past.