As a (huge) New York history dork, I was super excited to see this interactive history of the city, through 50 objects, in the New York Times this morning. Inspired by “A History of the World in 100 Objects,” the British Museum’s BBC radio series and book — also awesome — the Times recruited historians and museum curators to identify 50 objects that could embody the narrative of New York. From oysters and metrocards to bagels and mastodon tusks, it goes deep. Check it out.
It’s no secret that I love New York. However, this city is just so damn big that it’ll take me years to see all of it (if ever!). I really enjoy poking around the city’s storied past, and there’s no more amazing location than New York’s Financial District, also known as the “Canyon of Heroes.” Home to ticker tape parades, decadent sky scrapers and lots of dudes in power suits, the area is so much more than a 9/11 or Occupy Wall Street tourist destination (which is why most seem to seek it out, but to each their own).
For me, the Financial District is a direct link to New York’s gritty / glam history. Gorgeous, Art Nouveau wonders like the Woolworth Building (I’m a bit obsessed with the man), Trinity Church, the teeny tiny side streets…it really inspires a sense of wonder, and the streets really do feel a bit like valleys in between those massive buildings.
Walking the oldest byways of the city — Maiden Lane, Broadway, Pine — it’s crazy to imagine how many have come before us. And now you can experience a bit of a time machine with large, beautiful portraits at NYC Past, my new favorite tumblr. So many hats! And to think I just walked down Wall Street, past the larger-than-life George Washington statue last week. Insanity.
And it’s not just the Financial District. Check out these actual sleep in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow (!!!). And the Flatiron Building! (Which I’m usually only near when I go to MAC or Shake Shack. Such an odd association.)
Find more huge, gorgeous pieces of history on NYC Past.
I consider New York to be my adopted city, and I revel in its long history: the wily, narrow streets of the early city, restaurant crazes that have come and gone, tight-knit communities and the existence of hot potato vendors, as seen above. (I want one!) It’s crazy to see how much things have changed (and stayed in the same) after 60 years. The gritty streets and businesses of these photos are all long gone — except for McSorley’s and Delmonico’s, of course — but I think the personality of New York is one of continuous change. (“You can’t step in same river twice” and all that.) However, I hope it’s not too much to ask that the skeleton of the city at least stay the same. I love these streets. I love these run-down, dirty buildings. No more condos, please. And more kids playing on the sidewalk.
[Via How to be a Retronaut]
Somehow, I’ve still yet to visit Dead Horse Bay. The area has been used as a facility to manufacture fertilizer from the remains of dead animals (that’s where the Dead Horse comes from), at one point produced fish oil from menhaden caught in the bay, and served as a landfill for New York City’s garbage. Such history! Getting some grime under my fingernails and digging up 100-year-old sunken bottles is my idea of a fantasy weekend.
Photos by Jenny Gordy and Kate Miss from Kate’s awesome cookie party. I’m in polka dots!
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and you’re free on Sunday, October 24, I’ve got a proposition for you!
My friend Jaime has organized a cookie decorating benefit for The Center Against Domestic Violence through the Drop In and Decorate nonprofit organization. Basically, you bake some cookies, decorate at this fun event with lots of other folks, then donate your delicious finished products to women and children in need. She’s also collecting unopened cosmetics, so feel free to bring unused lipstick, eyeshadow or blush as well. (Any make-up will do.) There will be snacks and music provided — and I’m sure if a few cookies disappeared no one would care!
The details?
Come on down to Spacecraft in Williamsburg, a very cool crafting and supply space in its own right.
Address: 355 Bedford Ave (between South 3rd and South 4th St) from 12 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, October 24, 2010.
Feel free to RSVP on Facebook or just come on over with some cookies.
More information on the organization:
Drop in and Decorate is a nonprofit organization based in Rhode Island and founded by food blogger Lydia Walshing. Its mission is to build bridges of caring and respect between groups within their own communities, and to offer a more personal way for people to make a difference. We do that with cookies — because cookies are universal, and because cookies make people happy.
Hope you can attend!
Oh, for the days of dust tinged streams of light in large public works. These “hark, the herald angels sing!” photos were taken at Grand Central Station in 1941 — before the surrounding buildings blocked out the natural light. Sad!
[Via Lost. Photos by John Collier Jr.]
Every time I meander through the Lower East Side I make a point to go past Freemans. They’ve mastered the concept of the “lifestyle” establishment: they’re an old fashioned barbershop, a men’s clothing atelier that makes suits to order as Freemans Sporting Club, and a taxidermy-filled “rugged clandestine American tavern” (that actually feels very Bavarian, to me), all at the end of the ancient Freeman’s Alley (yep, it’s actually down a cobble stone alley; how perfect is that?).
And I must add that the food is freaking delicious: catfish, jalapeno cheddar grits, oysters (and those are just today’s specials!), and the best cocktails you’ll ever down. I’ve yet to purchase a pantsuit or require that my neck be shaved, but if I ever feel the need, I know that I’ll hit up all available Freemans establishments. Now if they only had an old timey women’s clothing shop filled with tailored 1930s style suits and vintage high waisted Levis: then we’d be in business….
And a note: I never actually want a clean shaven men. Beards make my world go ’round! However, I do love Olive Oyl and Popeye. Enjoy “Clean Shaven Man.”
