Journals 1-4
1.Impressions of New York
I grew up in Queens attending High School in Manhattan. I feel comfortable on the subway and I am looking forward to seeing the city through this class. At this time of year there will be many tourists from other places in New York City, it will be interesting to see them as well. Queens is full of many different nationalities; I am looking forward to trying Indian food when we are there. I am not familiar with Brooklyn so I am excited to see it. Manhattan is generally crowded and people who work there are always in a hurry to get through the streets, whether by foot, cab or car. There are many amazing skyscrapers on the island of Manhattan, which I honestly don't know all the history about so I am looking forward to gaining some knowledge about them. Long Island City, when I was younger was not the quaint place it is today. It was full of warehouses and very few restaurants. It has a beautiful view of the city, which I think is priceless. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with this new town and can't wait to see it again.
2. Queens
My trip started out on the LIRR. I headed into Penn Station, arrived early purchased my MetroCard and slowly the rest of the class trickled in. We headed to the E train into Queens and transferred to the #7 train, also known as the International Express, at Roosevelt Avenue. "Queens is the largest of the five boroughs in land and second in population" (ENY p157). We got off train at Willet's Point and walked to Flushing Meadow Park where we gathered for a quick meeting under a shady tree. We then proceeded on to the site of the World's Fair. We made our way to the Unisphere that was commissioned for the New York World's Fair of 1964-65. It was designed by landscape artist, Gilmore D. Clarke. It was erected by the American Bridge Division of the Untied States Steel Corporation. I haven't been to Flushing Meadow Park in a really long time. It was in some ways the same as I had remembered but I felt as if I was looking at it with different eyes. My parents first date was at the worlds fair it was fun to imagine what it was like for them and the great excitement that infused the City as well as the whole country. The condition of the park was by no means terrible, however, Mike pointed out how a place such as this, primarily used by middle to lower middle-class residents, would not receive the same attention as a park in a more upscaled community. The irony that I see in this is that the people who use this park enjoy it more, and make more memories here with their families, then do the upper-class people in their fancy parks who are so busy working all the time that they don't have any time to use the parks they live near. It is just my observation.
Our next adventure was The Queens Museum. "The building that houses the museum was originally the New York City building, created fro the 1939-1940 World's Fair"(p. 165) I thought our tour guide George did a great job and was very knowledgable about all the exhibits he showed us. The Andy Warhol room was very interesting. His introduction of the silkscreen changed the art world forever.The stories George told us about how Robert Moses was so impatient with Worhol in taking down the images of the 13 most wanted that he actually destroyed some of them was unbelievable. It is so important to look back on these parts of history to learn from them but more importantly to not repeat the bad behavior.
When were looking at the images of the water sheds for New York City it really is amazing how the Delaware and Croton water sheds flowed, clean water naturally down stream to NY City. I think a lot of times we take these modern day conveniences such as clean running water for granted. It is truly amazing that without any technology and very few roads to travel on that our forefathers were able to establish this system that we still use today. I think it is so important to by mindful that these men (and women) who were working on these projects, may have not have lived long enough to see them through to completion, but knew the importance it would have on generations of New Yorkers to come. More was done for the greater good than for one's own individual good.
Another neat thing we saw was Liu Wei's city made out of books. It was fascinating, really. I couldn't imagine how much time it took to do it
When were looking at the images of the water sheds for New York City it really is amazing how the Delaware and Croton water sheds flowed, clean water naturally down stream to NY City. I think a lot of times we take these modern day conveniences such as clean running water for granted. It is truly amazing that without any technology and very few roads to travel on that our forefathers were able to establish this system that we still use today. I think it is so important to by mindful that these men (and women) who were working on these projects, may have not have lived long enough to see them through to completion, but knew the importance it would have on generations of New Yorkers to come. More was done for the greater good than for one's own individual good.
Another neat thing we saw was Liu Wei's city made out of books. It was fascinating, really. I couldn't imagine how much time it took to do it
The last thing we saw was in the Museum was the panorama of New York City. What a site! I could have looked at it for hours. I wished it had a full glass over pass over it so I could walk over to any neighborhood and really take it all in. Again George was very informative, pointing out the old reservoirs that were now pools . He also mentioned a very important date in history, 1811. This is the year that the grid was developed which gave the streets and avenues their names. Again, knowing the importance of this back then was remarkable. The first picture below is of the George Washington Bridge L-R , Jersey to New York. The second image is of the three bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens; Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge. The other two bridges that transport people to and from Manhattan are the Queensborough Bridge and the Triboro Bridge. Viewing this panorama in all its detail was so impressive. I can't wait to take my family back there.
We finally headed back to the #7 train and made our way to Corona for Lunch. We ate Indian food at the Jackson Diner. It was my first time trying Indian food. I had nan bread, tandoori chicken, paneer, a chickpea dish as well as another type of chicken that I cannot remember the name of. I would definitely have Indian food again. I was worried it would be too spicy but it was really good.
After lunch we hopped back on the train ® and made our way to Steinway Street, Astoria. "Astoria was named after John JAcob Astor, an investor who never actually stepped foot in Astoria"(p. 168). Steinway Street was names after the famous Steinway Pianos that were originally founded by Engelhard Steinweg."Steinweg built an entire village around his factory, complete with housing for his workers and its own post office and church"( p. 168). Astoria, as far back as I can remember, has always been a strong Greek community. Astoria is a neighborhood experiencing first hand the signs of gentrification. We could see old, original Steinway Street and then turn the corner of 35th Avenue and almost get the feeling we were in another place. Before World War II, Astoria was "the" place for movie making. Kauffman studios was home to the production of movies as recent as Men In Black and Sesame Street along with Scent of a Women and Glengarry/Glen Ross.
We made our way to the Museum of the Moving Image on 35th Street. It was a self guided museum of film and behind the scene technical things such as sound effects and their impact on movie making. I, personally, did not find this museum all that interesting. One neat thing I saw was Larry David's hand written notebook of his scenes from Steinfeld.
We then left Steinway Street, heading towards Long Island City via the M train towards Manhattan.We got off at Court Square. I remember, growing up in Woodside, a very different Long Island City. One of factories, and no sense of a neighborhood like it is today. When we got off the train at 21st Street we made our way to MoMA PS1, on Jackson Ave. "Ps1 is an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art and is the original building of the first Public school, which operated from 1893-1963"(p. 170). The hot, humid weather of the day was quickly turning into a dark cloud over head. we made our way to the waters edge where we saw the breath talking view of New York City( United Nations building and Chrysler Building below) and the 59th Street Bridge( photo below). All around us were beautiful new and very expensive, high-rise apartments. The famous Pepsi-Cola Sign Which has been there since 1936, still remains on a 60x200 parcel owned by PepsiCo. All the Other land was sold in 20001 to developers (p. 171). We walked along the river, as lightening bolts lit up the sky around us, and we made our way to Gantry Plaza State Park. "It's named after the huge 19th Century railroad gantries that were used to transfer cargo from ships to trains to be transported throughout Long Island"(p. 172). We then separated and my group headed for the #7 train to Woodside where we caught the LIRR back to Long Island before the heavens opened! A truly great day!
We made our way to the Museum of the Moving Image on 35th Street. It was a self guided museum of film and behind the scene technical things such as sound effects and their impact on movie making. I, personally, did not find this museum all that interesting. One neat thing I saw was Larry David's hand written notebook of his scenes from Steinfeld.
We then left Steinway Street, heading towards Long Island City via the M train towards Manhattan.We got off at Court Square. I remember, growing up in Woodside, a very different Long Island City. One of factories, and no sense of a neighborhood like it is today. When we got off the train at 21st Street we made our way to MoMA PS1, on Jackson Ave. "Ps1 is an affiliate of the Museum of Modern Art and is the original building of the first Public school, which operated from 1893-1963"(p. 170). The hot, humid weather of the day was quickly turning into a dark cloud over head. we made our way to the waters edge where we saw the breath talking view of New York City( United Nations building and Chrysler Building below) and the 59th Street Bridge( photo below). All around us were beautiful new and very expensive, high-rise apartments. The famous Pepsi-Cola Sign Which has been there since 1936, still remains on a 60x200 parcel owned by PepsiCo. All the Other land was sold in 20001 to developers (p. 171). We walked along the river, as lightening bolts lit up the sky around us, and we made our way to Gantry Plaza State Park. "It's named after the huge 19th Century railroad gantries that were used to transfer cargo from ships to trains to be transported throughout Long Island"(p. 172). We then separated and my group headed for the #7 train to Woodside where we caught the LIRR back to Long Island before the heavens opened! A truly great day!
3. Brooklyn
We met once again at Penn and started our Journey to Brooklyn. Brooklyn ( originally named Breuckelen) is the most populous of NYC's 5 boroughs with 2.5 million people (ENY p.135). The first to settle here were the Dutch in 1664 (ENY p.135).
We made our way first to Coney Island by walking to 6th Ave and taking the D train to the last stop. Coney Island, was called by its original inhabitants, the Lenape, the Island Narrioch, meaning "the place without shadows",' because the Atlantic location(ENY p 137). When the Dutch arrived in the 17th century they called it Conyne Eylandt, or Rabbit Island, probably because of the numerous species of rabbits that populated the area. I have been to Coney Island many times with my family but I have never taken the train before. It was a pleasant ride. We got off and were given time to "take in the Vibe". Lavern and I Took a walk on the Boardwalk and did a lot of people watching. Most seemed to be enjoying a day at the beach with family and friends. There were tourists as well, snapping pictures, like us. We stopped for a burger at a place on the boardwalk called Ruby's. It has been there since 1934 and was filled with tons of old pictures from the past 80 years. What I also found interesting was the amount of people there, at the bar, the men topless and tan, drinking in the early afternoon. It reminded me of Key West, FLA. We sat at the tables and ate. We met a young couple from Brooklyn that were there for the day. We did not ride the wooden, 87 year old Cyclone. We walked around a bit more and then headed back to the meeting place. Lavern and I waited on the shady side of the street and got so caught up in conversation that the group left without us! We ran across the street and into the subway and we found the group, when Mike says he will leave without you he means it.
We then took the subway to downtown Brooklyn. We saw Brooklyn Borough Hall that use to be Brooklyn City Hall back when Brooklyn was its own city. In 1898 the City became what it is today. We noticed the Architecture of the Columns, Greek Revival with Doric caps. We would take notice of three different types of caps; Doric, Iconic and Corinthian. It was very hot walking through downtown Brooklyn. We arrived at the Transit Museum at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermernorn Street. I didn't know it is an actual working train station. Before we entered the museum Mike spoke about the sustainability of New York City, because of its extensive subway system. I keep hearing over and over again how living on Long Island is not sustainable and I tend to agree. I think Robert Moses' idea of living in the suburbs has backfired on the environment. Well, we went in and I thought this place was great! We had a tour guide Catherine who was very informative. She explained how this museum was suppose to be a temporary exhibit set up, in 1976,by some transit workers to display old subway cars. Crime on the subway at this time was high and they were trying to boost respect for the subway in an effort to lower the crime on the subway. The museum had various old turn-stiles and old subway cars.
The subway system was initiated, after the worst blizzard of New York City, in 1888, where 50 feet of snow fell in 3 days, paralyzing the city's then only means of transportation, the horse and carriage. The main reason was to move people from lower manhattan uptown. In 1904 construction began on the subway system. The most dangerous job for the workers was that of the Sand hog. They were responsible for connecting the boroughs under water and the heat and pressure often caused them to get what is now know as Caisson's disease. It was almost always fatal.
Lavern and I went down to see the old subway cars, I loved the old ads. We met a young man from Brazil who was visiting New York. I gave him my condolences on Brazil's humiliating World Cup loss. He was glad he wasn't home.
Throughout Brooklyn, we continued to take note of the different styles of architecture; Neo-Gothic and Neo Classical. Brooklyn heights was beautiful and I would love to live there. The tree lined Streets and quiet, quant blocks were so peaceful. We stopped in front of the Brooklyn Historical Society on Pierrepont Street. The headquarters were designed by George Post from 1878-1881. Among the features which make the facade of this building one of New York's architectural treasures are sculptures by Olin Levi Warner that include Columbus, Benjamin Franklin, a Viking, and a Native American (ENY p.149). We passed the oldest Church in Brooklyn, The Church of the Saviour, built in 1844 (ENY p. 149).
We saw beautiful buildings of Greek Revival as well as some federal style buildings that Mike doesn't like very much!(sarcasm) The Brownstones were also beautiful and Mike told us how actual brown sandstone is not very strong and in order to maintain these buildings some people are hoarding brown sandstone for future repairs. In fact, many of the Brownstones you see in Brooklyn today have facades that are actually covered in brown cement masonry, rather than authentic brown sandstone.
We headed to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with a breath-taking view of lower manhattan. Under neath us was the BQE, once again a work of Robert Moses. Moses built the BQE in 1953. The destruction of the neighborhood so outraged the New Yorkers that it led to the beginnings of the preservation movement in Brooklyn Heights (ENY p. 150). We saw Brooklyn Bridge PArk, that is an ongoing construction project initiated by former Mayor Bloomberg. We walked along Orange Street and stopped at the courtyard of Plymouth Church, where we saw the statue of the preacher Henry Ward Beecher. People came from all over to hear him preach for hours. Among his admirers were Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom visited the church to hear him preach (ENY p. 150).
OFf we went to DUMBO(Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). In December ,2007 the Landmarks Preservation Committee designated the Dumbo section of Brooklyn as the city's 90th historical district(ENY p. 151). Jane's Carousel is here.Some classmates took a ride on the carousel, I did not. We finally made it to Jaques Torre Chocolatiers. I had delicious salted caramel ice cream! We would need that extra boost to cross over the Brooklyn Bridge. On the other side I met my husband for a cold beer and some pizza!
We made our way first to Coney Island by walking to 6th Ave and taking the D train to the last stop. Coney Island, was called by its original inhabitants, the Lenape, the Island Narrioch, meaning "the place without shadows",' because the Atlantic location(ENY p 137). When the Dutch arrived in the 17th century they called it Conyne Eylandt, or Rabbit Island, probably because of the numerous species of rabbits that populated the area. I have been to Coney Island many times with my family but I have never taken the train before. It was a pleasant ride. We got off and were given time to "take in the Vibe". Lavern and I Took a walk on the Boardwalk and did a lot of people watching. Most seemed to be enjoying a day at the beach with family and friends. There were tourists as well, snapping pictures, like us. We stopped for a burger at a place on the boardwalk called Ruby's. It has been there since 1934 and was filled with tons of old pictures from the past 80 years. What I also found interesting was the amount of people there, at the bar, the men topless and tan, drinking in the early afternoon. It reminded me of Key West, FLA. We sat at the tables and ate. We met a young couple from Brooklyn that were there for the day. We did not ride the wooden, 87 year old Cyclone. We walked around a bit more and then headed back to the meeting place. Lavern and I waited on the shady side of the street and got so caught up in conversation that the group left without us! We ran across the street and into the subway and we found the group, when Mike says he will leave without you he means it.
We then took the subway to downtown Brooklyn. We saw Brooklyn Borough Hall that use to be Brooklyn City Hall back when Brooklyn was its own city. In 1898 the City became what it is today. We noticed the Architecture of the Columns, Greek Revival with Doric caps. We would take notice of three different types of caps; Doric, Iconic and Corinthian. It was very hot walking through downtown Brooklyn. We arrived at the Transit Museum at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermernorn Street. I didn't know it is an actual working train station. Before we entered the museum Mike spoke about the sustainability of New York City, because of its extensive subway system. I keep hearing over and over again how living on Long Island is not sustainable and I tend to agree. I think Robert Moses' idea of living in the suburbs has backfired on the environment. Well, we went in and I thought this place was great! We had a tour guide Catherine who was very informative. She explained how this museum was suppose to be a temporary exhibit set up, in 1976,by some transit workers to display old subway cars. Crime on the subway at this time was high and they were trying to boost respect for the subway in an effort to lower the crime on the subway. The museum had various old turn-stiles and old subway cars.
The subway system was initiated, after the worst blizzard of New York City, in 1888, where 50 feet of snow fell in 3 days, paralyzing the city's then only means of transportation, the horse and carriage. The main reason was to move people from lower manhattan uptown. In 1904 construction began on the subway system. The most dangerous job for the workers was that of the Sand hog. They were responsible for connecting the boroughs under water and the heat and pressure often caused them to get what is now know as Caisson's disease. It was almost always fatal.
Lavern and I went down to see the old subway cars, I loved the old ads. We met a young man from Brazil who was visiting New York. I gave him my condolences on Brazil's humiliating World Cup loss. He was glad he wasn't home.
Throughout Brooklyn, we continued to take note of the different styles of architecture; Neo-Gothic and Neo Classical. Brooklyn heights was beautiful and I would love to live there. The tree lined Streets and quiet, quant blocks were so peaceful. We stopped in front of the Brooklyn Historical Society on Pierrepont Street. The headquarters were designed by George Post from 1878-1881. Among the features which make the facade of this building one of New York's architectural treasures are sculptures by Olin Levi Warner that include Columbus, Benjamin Franklin, a Viking, and a Native American (ENY p.149). We passed the oldest Church in Brooklyn, The Church of the Saviour, built in 1844 (ENY p. 149).
We saw beautiful buildings of Greek Revival as well as some federal style buildings that Mike doesn't like very much!(sarcasm) The Brownstones were also beautiful and Mike told us how actual brown sandstone is not very strong and in order to maintain these buildings some people are hoarding brown sandstone for future repairs. In fact, many of the Brownstones you see in Brooklyn today have facades that are actually covered in brown cement masonry, rather than authentic brown sandstone.
We headed to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with a breath-taking view of lower manhattan. Under neath us was the BQE, once again a work of Robert Moses. Moses built the BQE in 1953. The destruction of the neighborhood so outraged the New Yorkers that it led to the beginnings of the preservation movement in Brooklyn Heights (ENY p. 150). We saw Brooklyn Bridge PArk, that is an ongoing construction project initiated by former Mayor Bloomberg. We walked along Orange Street and stopped at the courtyard of Plymouth Church, where we saw the statue of the preacher Henry Ward Beecher. People came from all over to hear him preach for hours. Among his admirers were Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom visited the church to hear him preach (ENY p. 150).
OFf we went to DUMBO(Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). In December ,2007 the Landmarks Preservation Committee designated the Dumbo section of Brooklyn as the city's 90th historical district(ENY p. 151). Jane's Carousel is here.Some classmates took a ride on the carousel, I did not. We finally made it to Jaques Torre Chocolatiers. I had delicious salted caramel ice cream! We would need that extra boost to cross over the Brooklyn Bridge. On the other side I met my husband for a cold beer and some pizza!
4. CHELSEA / The East Village
Walking from Penn, we passed the outside of Penn Station, which is fairly unattractive, architecturally speaking. It was built in 1911 by McKim, Mead and White. In by 1960, secondary to the booming automobile industry and expansion of roads, it was no longer desirable to take the railroad and demolition of this beautiful piece architecture was ordered. I believe Robert Moses was also partially responsible for making driving more desirable, and rail less desirable, as he was the force behind many roads being constructed, as well as pushing the automobile industry into New York. He had his sights on Grand Central Station but, luckily, Jackie Onassis put a stop to him. We come upon the Post Office an amazing piece of Neo-Classical Beaux-Art. Mike told us there is talk of converting the site of the Post Office into the new Penn Station. It is an impressive building with a glorious entrance. I couldn't help but think of the United States Postal System and the real fact that it is on its way out due to email and all advancements in technology. That someday this nation may no longer rely on the postal system and the fact that we are already thinking of taking over this building. We walked to Chelsea and we stopped periodically to talk about the history of where we were. Clement Clark Moore was a poet and wealthy real estate investor. He bought land in Chelsea. The Poor Irish immigrants worked the slaughterhouses, breweries, and factories (ENY p.105). Prostitution plagued the streets for decades well into the 1980's. Artists are primarily responsible for the positive change brought to Chelsea area. Poor artist could no longer afford pricey SoHo that they turned to Chelsea for cheap rent to display and sell their Art. This was the beginning of all these beautiful art filled galleries that are present today. We went into some art galleries and saw many different types of art. Susan Inglet, Gagosian Gallery,and Carl Andre were just some of the galleries we went into.
We were lucky enough to meet Tony, an employee, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on 20th Street. The church was closed but he was able to let us in for a quick view. The stain glass windows were something I have never seen before, a true work of art.
Another great project that began was the transformation of the High Line, an abandoned elevated freight line, into an elevated garden. We walked the High Line from 30th Street, seeing all the new construction of apartment buildings as well as commercial buildings. Scattered among these new sites were old abandoned buildings. There were many tourists as well as locals walking on the High Line. We went to Chelsea market for lunch. There are many options for lunch and many tourists walking around the market. Lavern and I had lobster rolls from the Lobster Place. They were delicious. We were so happy to sit down for a bit. Mike says he is not coming back to the marketplace because it is too crowded.
We walked south towards meat-packing district. From the 1850s-1930s this area was a wholesale meat market filled with slaughter houses and meatpacking plants(ENY p. 109). Today it is filled with trendy shops . It was also home to the prostitutes for a while. I guess when they get chased out if one are they move on to the next area opened for business. It (prostitution) never seems to go away!
Our next stop was Greenwich Village . It was lively and full of neat shops and places to eat. The homes were really nice and I loved the trees growing out of cement. We walked along and came to a quant garden with three women volunteers sitting at a table. This was Jefferson Market Garden . We stepped in and discussed "The Crime of the Century," when Harry Thaw was put on trial for the murder of New York's celebrated architect, Stanford White, designer of the Washington Square Arch as well as numerous Beaux Art buildings in New York City. Thaw shot White in a fit of jealous rage over White's affair with his fiancee, model Evelyn Nesbit (ENY p. 112-113).
Washington Square Park is home to the oldest tree in New York City. It is where the hangings were done. The houses outside the park were row houses in federal style built between 1831-1833, and are now occupied by NYU (ENY p. 119).
We walked on to Cooper Square and the really neat well thought out design of the building. The bottom of the building was different than the rest, opened full glass with the intent to be one with the neighborhood. We were able to step inside for a minute even though the building was closed. It was so well built for energy efficiency as well as social interaction. Mike told us how there is openings through the staircases so you can see the other people as you are going up and they are going down. Also, the elevator purposely does not go all the way to the top to force everyone to take the stairs. I will definitely try and get in there when I am in that part of the city again.
We had a tour of the Merchant's House Museum on 4th Street. It is a federal style House. Unfortunately, the building on the right of it has already been demolished and the building to the left is trying to build a hotel in the space. Our tour guide told us that they had to hire lawyers and engineers to fight the construction of the hotel, as it would surely affect the structure of the museum. We learned about the houses history. Joseph Brewster had the house built with the intent to sell it. He sold it to Seabury Treadwell in 1835, for $18,000.00. Seabury and his wife, Eliza, raised their eight children here, and were the only family ever to live here before the house became a museum. The youngest child, Gertrude, never married and lived in the house until she died in 1933. It really was interesting to see how they lived, along with there four servants, in the house. How the coal was delivered to the lower level and the servants had to carry it up to each of the fire places in the house and well as their own servants quarters on the top floor. What really was impressive was the fact that they captured rain water and were able to pump the water via a cistern to be able to turn on a faucet in the kitchen and have running water. They did not have plumbing so their "elimination station" consisted of a chamber pot. Our tour guide told us that when the family had parties they would set chamber pots up in the bedrooms for the guests to use, however, since there was no way to "flush the evidence" women for days before the parties would take diuretics and essentially starve so they would never need to use the chamber pots in someone else's house.
I will admit everyone was dragging because of the heat so I was so happy when we got to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop for a "salty pimp". We ended the day there and I am glad to say I have taken trains I have never taken before and have a better understanding of the NY City Subway System. I am really enjoying this class. I learn something new everywhere we go.
We were lucky enough to meet Tony, an employee, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on 20th Street. The church was closed but he was able to let us in for a quick view. The stain glass windows were something I have never seen before, a true work of art.
Another great project that began was the transformation of the High Line, an abandoned elevated freight line, into an elevated garden. We walked the High Line from 30th Street, seeing all the new construction of apartment buildings as well as commercial buildings. Scattered among these new sites were old abandoned buildings. There were many tourists as well as locals walking on the High Line. We went to Chelsea market for lunch. There are many options for lunch and many tourists walking around the market. Lavern and I had lobster rolls from the Lobster Place. They were delicious. We were so happy to sit down for a bit. Mike says he is not coming back to the marketplace because it is too crowded.
We walked south towards meat-packing district. From the 1850s-1930s this area was a wholesale meat market filled with slaughter houses and meatpacking plants(ENY p. 109). Today it is filled with trendy shops . It was also home to the prostitutes for a while. I guess when they get chased out if one are they move on to the next area opened for business. It (prostitution) never seems to go away!
Our next stop was Greenwich Village . It was lively and full of neat shops and places to eat. The homes were really nice and I loved the trees growing out of cement. We walked along and came to a quant garden with three women volunteers sitting at a table. This was Jefferson Market Garden . We stepped in and discussed "The Crime of the Century," when Harry Thaw was put on trial for the murder of New York's celebrated architect, Stanford White, designer of the Washington Square Arch as well as numerous Beaux Art buildings in New York City. Thaw shot White in a fit of jealous rage over White's affair with his fiancee, model Evelyn Nesbit (ENY p. 112-113).
Washington Square Park is home to the oldest tree in New York City. It is where the hangings were done. The houses outside the park were row houses in federal style built between 1831-1833, and are now occupied by NYU (ENY p. 119).
We walked on to Cooper Square and the really neat well thought out design of the building. The bottom of the building was different than the rest, opened full glass with the intent to be one with the neighborhood. We were able to step inside for a minute even though the building was closed. It was so well built for energy efficiency as well as social interaction. Mike told us how there is openings through the staircases so you can see the other people as you are going up and they are going down. Also, the elevator purposely does not go all the way to the top to force everyone to take the stairs. I will definitely try and get in there when I am in that part of the city again.
We had a tour of the Merchant's House Museum on 4th Street. It is a federal style House. Unfortunately, the building on the right of it has already been demolished and the building to the left is trying to build a hotel in the space. Our tour guide told us that they had to hire lawyers and engineers to fight the construction of the hotel, as it would surely affect the structure of the museum. We learned about the houses history. Joseph Brewster had the house built with the intent to sell it. He sold it to Seabury Treadwell in 1835, for $18,000.00. Seabury and his wife, Eliza, raised their eight children here, and were the only family ever to live here before the house became a museum. The youngest child, Gertrude, never married and lived in the house until she died in 1933. It really was interesting to see how they lived, along with there four servants, in the house. How the coal was delivered to the lower level and the servants had to carry it up to each of the fire places in the house and well as their own servants quarters on the top floor. What really was impressive was the fact that they captured rain water and were able to pump the water via a cistern to be able to turn on a faucet in the kitchen and have running water. They did not have plumbing so their "elimination station" consisted of a chamber pot. Our tour guide told us that when the family had parties they would set chamber pots up in the bedrooms for the guests to use, however, since there was no way to "flush the evidence" women for days before the parties would take diuretics and essentially starve so they would never need to use the chamber pots in someone else's house.
I will admit everyone was dragging because of the heat so I was so happy when we got to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop for a "salty pimp". We ended the day there and I am glad to say I have taken trains I have never taken before and have a better understanding of the NY City Subway System. I am really enjoying this class. I learn something new everywhere we go.