Journal 2
Day 1 Humble Harlem and Central Park 6/17/14
Day 1 Humble Harlem and Central Park 6/17/14
Here we go again from Penn Station to the 6 train and came out onto 103 Street and Lexington Avenue. Some gentleman sitting across from us on the train was staring at us and this other man who was 61 years old, how do I know this, he told us was asking for change because he was homeless. As I looked around on the train a see a stroller with a baby in it sleeping, people reading books and newspapers and other with their headsets on, keeping to themselves. So New York. Then there we were in East Harlem also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio. I must say the people there are very nice and friendly. We were in the way and they were saying sorry when they tried to pass. I have never seen that before in New York City.
Harlem was first visited by the Dutch and named Nievw Haarlem, after Haarlem in the Netherlands, by Peter Stuyvesant in 1658. Then when it was taken over by the English and renamed Harlem (ENY, Pg. 76). As lower Manhattan became more congested and train service in the 19th century became available in northern Manhattan people moved to Harlem. The middle class had brown stones and apartments built. Developer began to build row houses and apartments.( ENY, Pg. 69 & 77), Harlem had periods of ups and downs. It has had immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Spain and Puerto Rico. It became a powerful place for African Americans, who were coming from the South to escape discrimination and poverty. Up until the Great Depression, Harlem was a nice place to live. During the 1950s through the 1980s Harlem became an area of poverty and high crime (ENY, Pg.79). Today it is on an up swing with the improvement of housing and funding. As in the name Spanish Harlem this area of Harlem has one of the highest populations of Latinos in the United States. After getting off the train we headed to Park Avenue and stood in front of the George Washington Carver Houses built by who else Robert Moses. These projects were built for low income (section 8) residents during the 1950s and remain that way today. During this time they wanted to put the poor together and suppress them. But when you do that what happens. There is a large amount of substance abuse, fighting, crime and prostitution in the area. In comparison to the tenements people were poor, but they knew each other and for the most part looked out after each other. In these projects they rarely knew each other and bad things would happen. As we walked along it was nice to see and hear school children walking with their teachers also.
Harlem was first visited by the Dutch and named Nievw Haarlem, after Haarlem in the Netherlands, by Peter Stuyvesant in 1658. Then when it was taken over by the English and renamed Harlem (ENY, Pg. 76). As lower Manhattan became more congested and train service in the 19th century became available in northern Manhattan people moved to Harlem. The middle class had brown stones and apartments built. Developer began to build row houses and apartments.( ENY, Pg. 69 & 77), Harlem had periods of ups and downs. It has had immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Spain and Puerto Rico. It became a powerful place for African Americans, who were coming from the South to escape discrimination and poverty. Up until the Great Depression, Harlem was a nice place to live. During the 1950s through the 1980s Harlem became an area of poverty and high crime (ENY, Pg.79). Today it is on an up swing with the improvement of housing and funding. As in the name Spanish Harlem this area of Harlem has one of the highest populations of Latinos in the United States. After getting off the train we headed to Park Avenue and stood in front of the George Washington Carver Houses built by who else Robert Moses. These projects were built for low income (section 8) residents during the 1950s and remain that way today. During this time they wanted to put the poor together and suppress them. But when you do that what happens. There is a large amount of substance abuse, fighting, crime and prostitution in the area. In comparison to the tenements people were poor, but they knew each other and for the most part looked out after each other. In these projects they rarely knew each other and bad things would happen. As we walked along it was nice to see and hear school children walking with their teachers also.
We walked down and made a right on to Fifth Avenue to the Museum of Dreams. Inside the museum was the Nathalie Pierrepoint Staircase. We walked around the museum and saw some fine art work and looked at the beautiful Stettheimer Doll House. Inside the museum we watch a very well put together film on the history of New York City. It tied thing up for us. I particularly loved the expressions like "Streets are calenders", and " Not Landscapes but time scapes". In the film they talked about Henry Hudson, The Narrows, New Amsterdam being brought for 24 dollar from the British in 1661 and renamed New York. They discussed The Battle of Long Island, the South Street and how there were a large amount of boats transporting goods all over. It became know as the great sea port because from 1785-1825 they built a large amount of ships in this area. The film takes you through the lay out of New York City and its ups and downs to the present moments. They discuss on how out of the bad of 9/11 there came good, people pulled together. The quality of New York is on its way back. We walked through the rooms of the museum and saw photos of Coney Island and the Beautiful Tiffany and Company Gilded Age of New York Displays.
Photos below of the Museum (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of the Museum (Scymcyk, 2014)
When we went out side of the Museum we met up with an Art Educator named Luke. You could hear it in in voice he was so passionate about his work. He started by explaining to us about how the entrance of the museum depicts the image of a cardboard box. We one of the artist/poets started. He recited a powerful poem and then we were on our way. On the way we stopped at a bodaga. There were men sitting next to the bodaga around a table with an umbrella, just shooting the breeze. It was one of the hottest days but I still enjoyed walking around exploring. Luke told us most of the population in Spanish Harlem today is Puerto Rician, but a lot of Mexicans are moving in. We walked back underneath the beautiful brick Metro North underpass. There are two underpasses one for cars and one for pedestrians. Across the street there was some weird art entangled into a fence. The place looked dirty and smelled like horse poop. Then we went to a very nice neighborhood book store. The owner said she owned this store by fund raising 40,000 dollars. The majority of books are Hispanic. You can order a cup of coffee and have a small snack. In the basement of the book store there is a children work shop, but we didn't go down to see it. Every community should have a place like this. Luke went on to explain that in the 1960s Harlem was in disarray . The area had a radical group called the Black Panthers. Trash was all over the neighborhood and the city didn't care so at night the people would clear the streets of trash and put it in the middle of 3rd Avenue and some times even light it on fire. Luke stated something beautiful again, " Art on walls bring people in the community together. Just walk throughout the community and you can see the art all over. We stopped at the Spirit of East Harlem mural on the corner of 104th Street and Lexington Avenue. It was created by hank Prussing in 1978. Hank Prussing photographed people in the community and then painted their images in the mural to represent East Harlem. The mural has been maintained by painter and sculptor Manny Vega (ENY, Pg., 87). We went back on to Lexington Avenue into a garden, called Modesto "Tin Flores Garden maintained by Hope Community and Grow NYC (ENY, Pg. 88). This garden is a fine example of turning vacant lots in to a place to escape the craziness of the world around you. On the back wall of the garden is a mural called Soldadres. The mural is of a Mexican artist Frida Kahol(1907-1954) and Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgas (1917-1953) with their hands and hearts wrapped around each other and the flags of their countries behind them. It has 3 fetuses that present the miscarriage of the two women and the artist, Yasmin Hernandes in 201. The painting represents the struggles of the Puerto Ricans and Mexican in Harlem and how they joined together to over their hardships. I noticed two women sitting on a bench in front of the painting. I wonder if there any connection ? As we proceeded out of the garden there is a fountain sculpture called the "Seed of Growth" designed by Lina Puerta (ENY, Pg.88). The fountain sculpture looks like Fallopian tubes, it call out to the strength and courage of the women of the community. I found this place quite powerful and peaceful at the same time.
Photos below of East Harlem Streets (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of East Harlem Streets (Scymcyk, 2014)
We walked across the street and headed to E 106 Street and Lexington Avenue. We went i to a family, cultural and spiritual medicine shop. It had a large amount of ornament, oils and religious statues on the shelves on the wall. The elderly gentlemen , Jorge Vagas talked about the shop and how it represents all religions and cultures.
Below photos of Spiritual Store (Scymcyk, 2014)
Below photos of Spiritual Store (Scymcyk, 2014)
It was lunch time we sat and ate lunch at a Mexican Restaurant. El Paso. I had the most delicious quesadilla that I ever had. The place was packed with everyone watching the football (soccer) game between Mexico and Brazil. They were all loud and cheering. You can hear and see the culture every where you looked. I felt like I was in Mexico. After lunch we headed over the Central Park North.
After lunch we went over to Central Park North. During the 1820-1850 there was no where to escape fro the hectic over crowded, and loudness of the city. There was no where to escape and get some fresh air and leisure time. People would literally to to cemeteries to get some down time. The City had to come up with a plant to overcome this issue. So they brought some land, got rid of the Irish and black in the area and held a contest for the design of the park. Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux won. They designed a park that had natural landscape( that explains all the rocks). They designed the park so people had grass to lounge or play on uninterrupted. He had roads built below the park and 36 bridges to cross (ENY, Pg.57). Central Park became the first public park in the United States. The park went through good times and bad. During the bad times the bridges and roads were falling apart. In the 1930s park commissioner Robert Moses had the parks fixed up and in very good use. Years later in the 1960s once again the park was in disarray and crime was every where. People were afraid to go into the park. In the 1980s a group called the Central Park Conservancy was formed. They collected enough money to fix up the park and make it what it is today(ENY, Pg. 58). In entering the park from the north you come through a bronze gate that was donated by the Vanderbilt, and so it is called the Vanderbilt Gate. From hear we walked over to the Conservatory Garden. The garden is maintained by the Work Plan Organization(WPO), this organization helps to put people to work who couldn't otherwise find a job. We entered into the English Garden section with a fountain of two children designed after the book written by Francis Hodge Burnett, The Secret Garden (ENY,Pg. 59). We continued on to the Central Park Reservoir also known as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. The oldest thing in New York City is the 3,500 year old Egyptian Obelisk called the Cleopatra's Needle. Over the years due to the New York weather and pollution the Obelisk has experienced some erosion (ENY,Pg.62). We sat down on the green lawn for a few minutes and watched the world go by. We saw bicyclist, joggers and people just hanging out like we were. I could hear lots of birds and the humming of traffic. We pulled our selves up and walked to see some more. The next thing we came upon was a Victorian folly called the Belvedere Castle. It is the second highest point in the park and it is not a real castle, it is just there for looks. It was designed by Olmstead and Vaux. As we looked out from the folly area you could see some of the most breathtaking views of the park. As we marched on we went through the Ramble area of the park and straight through pass the Boat Pond and into Strawberry Fields. Strawberry Fields was designed by Bruce Kelly in the shape of a tear drop. It was declared a memorial by Ed Koch in 1985. We stood over the mosaic, Imagine,then walked a few steps to West 72 Street in front of a building called the Dakota. This is were John Lennon lived and died. He was shoot in front of the Dakota by a man Mark David Chapman who's name with always be attached to Jon Lennon's. I guest that exactly what he wanted to do. It is a shame, John Lennon was just getting his life back together. (ENY,Pg.64).
The trip to Harlem was a nice day. It was not too crowded, the people we encountered were very pleasant, the views of the art work in Harlem and the landscape in Central Park were spectacular. It would be places I would definitely recommend to visit.
Photos below of Central Park (Scymcyk, 2014)
The trip to Harlem was a nice day. It was not too crowded, the people we encountered were very pleasant, the views of the art work in Harlem and the landscape in Central Park were spectacular. It would be places I would definitely recommend to visit.
Photos below of Central Park (Scymcyk, 2014)
Journal 2
Day 2 Midtown Madness and Morning Side Heights 6/19/14
Day 2 Midtown Madness and Morning Side Heights 6/19/14
Starting point again, Penn Station. Today we came out of Penn and onto 34 Street toward Macy's. Which I love to visit around Christmas to see the window displays. Walking past Macy's, we proceeded down 35 Street and Broadway to Herald Square to Broadway. The lovely craziness of a million people in all directions, just doing there thing. I noticed that many people use the Citibank bikes, because the bike rake was almost empty. There were also a lot of pigeons in this park of town. Looking at a map of Broadway , you can see that it runs diagonal, not north and south. The are no cars and trucks in this area because in 2009 Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the streets fro 33rd Street and 47th Street pedestrian only zones. With 33rd and 35th Street completely closed to traffic(ENY,Pg,33). This has help increase, not decrease business in this area. In the 1980s there was a lot of crime here, but is decreasing today. Then down to the center of the world, Times Square, on 42nd Street. I could see the steam coming out of the drains and cartoon characters waking around begging for you to take a picture with them. I wonder how much they charge? You can see people's eyes lighting up as they looked around at the theater signs, the Billboards, and big screens for advertisements. There is large amount of action going on. And on New Years Eve this is the place to be when the ball drops. As I looked up, the was the ball, I did not know it was there all year long. Like many areas in New York City, Time Square has had its bad times and good times. When sex, crime and drugs were on a high, it was a bad place to be. Now its on the up rise since Mayor Giuliani instated cleanup Time Square and New York program. People want to come here now and visit the many stores and restaurants. Its a tourist's dream. As we made a left on to 6th Avenue and Avenue of the Americans yo 45th Street you can look out and see a canyon of tall buildings. They all looked like they had the International style. We strolled by Little Brazil Street and continued down to W 48th Street to Radio City Music Hall and straight to W 49th Street. There we cam to the RCA Building renamed GE Building at 30 Rockefeller Center. We wondered through the main corridor of the building and saw NBC Studios. If you looked at the walls and ceilings you would see many murals. The theme in the artistry is Man's Accomplishments (ENY, Pg. 36). What man has overcome. Work hard now and God will be good to you in the end, but be aware that the Devil is always watching. As you exit the building I noticed the phrase "Wisdom and knowledge shall e the stability of thy times", quoted from Isaiah 33;6 (ENY,Pg. 37). The building was the masterpiece of Urban Planning. It had the steel and chrome of the art deco design. You can walk around outside the building over the ice rink, which in summer is a cafe with tables, chairs and umbrellas. Every year for the past 20 my family and I at Christmas would go in to see the Tree. Over looking the skating rink is a magnificent spectacular image. Its a nice place to sit, have a sandwich, and observe.
Photos below of Rockefeller Center (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of Rockefeller Center (Scymcyk, 2014)
We then walked to 5th Avenue and 50th Street to Saint Patrick Cathedral with it's neo Gothic style under construction, so it was hard to see and we did not go in. Moving along we ended up at 11 West 53 Street , The museum of Modern Art as known as MoMA. The exhibits inside have art work from the 19th and 20th centuries. John Rockefeller donated the land where the museum stands today. After World War II this became the center for Modern Art. First stop was the fourth floor. Here we first saw work from artist Jackson Pollack. He used sand painting, southwestern Indian style. He would splat paint. He got the name Jack the drippier. Most of his art work was done on the floor, if you looked closely you could get the feeling you were in a tangled up forest. He was a drunk, who died after he struck a tree with his car in Suffolk County, New York. Then we moved on to Clifford Still, he painted non representative, meaning no images. Then we went onto Willen de Kooning, he was an enamel and oil painter who used canvas. He did representative are, meaning there are images. Like his piece with the women with the big eye, big teeth and big breast. it was almost scary looking, kinda gross. Then came Jasper Johns, and artiest fro the 1950s to early 1960s. He was a painter of the Atomic Age, abstract expression, like his piece of the target and faces in a grid above the target. It expressed that the people of that time felt like targets. There are newspaper painted into the target with oil paint. This is known as intellectual art. Then their was the kinda weird, but interest art by Robert Rauschenberg. He combined objects and Incorporated them into paintings, like birds. Of course we could not miss Andy Warhol are of everyday objects. He was famous for saying "Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes". We also saw a book with pins in it by Lucas L. made in 1978. It was said that his cleaning lady almost throw it out. In the 1970s came minimal art, that is less is more. We wondered around and bailey noticed Robert Ryman's Oil on Cotton, which is just a canvas painted white. Moving right along to Mark Rothko, a Russian born artist who committed suicide. He liked to use layer of colors. Up to the fifth floor what can I say it felt like an honor to see Vincent van Gogh art and Pablo Picasso's ladies.
Photos below of MoMA (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of MoMA (Scymcyk, 2014)
The museum was crowded and I must say, it was difficult to really stop and take a close look at the art. And it was a struggle to take a decent picture. This is a place I will have to go back to.
It was finally lunch time. We walked in the drizzling rain. Boy was I hungry. We sat, ate and, talked at Yum Yum at 649 9th Avenue, a Thai food restaurant. I thought the food was great, ate everything on my plate. Thank God it stopped raining when we finished.
We took the 1 train to Cathedral Station. Ran up the stairs of the subway to Amsterdam Avenue and West 110th Street. And no wonder they name the train stop Cathedral Station. What a mammoth cathedral we came upon, Saint John the Divine. We met up with our tour guide Jim. It is the largest church in the United States and the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world. It is of Episcopal denomination. Bishops from all around the world come to meet here. It does have a K-8 School. The church is only considered two-thirds finished and it is estimated that is would be a least and another 100 years and cost about $100 million to complete in according to the designer Ralph Adams plans. To the right of the Cathedral is the Children's Sculpture Garden. In the center is a statue which show the angel Michael stomping on Satan. The statue is in the double helix shape of DNA (ENY Pg. 71). The inside of the church was amazing. Every where you turned there was something to see. It made me feel guilt to know there are children dying of hungry and we spent all this money and time to construct something like this. I wonder what God would say? Down a little way, Jim told us there is New York Hospital with the Bloomberg Insane Asylum and that they have peacocks on the property wander around. Photos below of St. John Divine (Scymcyk, 2014)
We walked north on Amsterdam Avenue and made a left to 114th Street on to the 36 acre campus of Columbia University, the first college in New York State. The campus was designed by Mc Kim, Mead, and White in the Beaux Art style. Looking across the campus you can see the Low Library. Statues of the gods Zeus and Apollo are at the entrance, including a beautiful statue of the goddess Athena. The main focus of the campus came to the statue of Alma Mater sitting on a throne with a gown draped around her. She is holding a book and under her gown you can see an owl, the symbol of wisdom (ENY, Pg.72). On to Saint Paul's Chapel, which is one of the top five churches in New York. We pass a copy statue of the "Thinker" and pass by Bernard University. Moving on we pass a red brick building, Teachers College. This is where the great philosopher John Dewey taught (ENY,Pg.72). Going onward we get to The Riverside Church. In in the bell tower was designed after the towers of Note Dame de Laon of France. We were told by Luke that they are rang by using your forearms. A lady standing out side the church said it was of Baptists United domination. We then took a nice walk over to Grants' Tomb in General Grant National Memorial. On the top part of the tomb it say "let us have peace". Lets not forget Grant himself is not buried in the tomb his wife is. He just owns the tomb.
Photos below of Columbia, St Paul;s Grants' Tomb, (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of Columbia, St Paul;s Grants' Tomb, (Scymcyk, 2014)
We past through City College of New York (CCNY). This college was opened for the poorer students of the city to go to college. Here you have many graduates who went on to win the Nobel Prize.
We continued on a long journey a cross a bridge to W 135 Street and Riverside Drive to West Harlem. We stopped at River State Park. Built underneath it is a waste pool. We strolled along to the front of Grove School of Engineer and look out past the over look and right below us was a yellow house called the Hampton House.
We continued on a long journey a cross a bridge to W 135 Street and Riverside Drive to West Harlem. We stopped at River State Park. Built underneath it is a waste pool. We strolled along to the front of Grove School of Engineer and look out past the over look and right below us was a yellow house called the Hampton House.
This day was hectic. It was raining in the morning, then hot and humid in the afternoon, we walked up roads that were like hills and crossed what seemed like a mile long bridge. My legs were killing me. But all I saw was well worth it.
Journal 2
Day 3 Lower Manhattan and Governors's Island 6/24/14
Day 3 Lower Manhattan and Governors's Island 6/24/14
It all started with the Dutch West India Company. It formed the colony of Niew Amsterdam in 1624 no for religious purposes but for profit. In lower Manhattan this is very apparent. The English continued this tradition as it still exist today. (ENY,Pg.13).
Let the race being out of Penn Station down pass the Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway. This building opened in 1913 and was designed by Cass Gilbert and at that time became the world's tallest building. It is a true landmark (ENY, Pg.27). A great deal of money was spent to build it in its Neo Gothic style. But when I look at a building like this I think it was well worth all the money invested in it. it is absolutely stunning. My Dad's favorite building in Manhattan. As we walk along and I look down on the sidewalk , I see long metal strips with events and their dates, such as when the Yankees won the world series and other outstanding moments in New York history. We continue to 209 Broadway, Saint Paul's Episcopal Chapel of the Trinity Parish. It opened in 1764 and is the oldest working church building in Manhattan today. It was built because the parishioners of Trinity Parish thought it was too far of a walk to the main church. It was designed by architect Mc Bean and today is declared a landmark. George Washington and Governor George Clinton, the first govern of New York, attended services here. After the attack of 9/11, Saint Paul Chapel became a place for rescue worker to rest. It is believed that the church was spared by the 9/11 attack because of a old sycamore tree that protected it. Its roots are cast in bronze and are at the Trinity Church today. All around the outside of the church there are very old grave sites. It looks like they are still trying to fix up the area by trying to grow grass on a now gated area of these head stones. In the inside of the chapel are partitions with tributes to 9/11.
Let the race being out of Penn Station down pass the Woolworth Building at 233 Broadway. This building opened in 1913 and was designed by Cass Gilbert and at that time became the world's tallest building. It is a true landmark (ENY, Pg.27). A great deal of money was spent to build it in its Neo Gothic style. But when I look at a building like this I think it was well worth all the money invested in it. it is absolutely stunning. My Dad's favorite building in Manhattan. As we walk along and I look down on the sidewalk , I see long metal strips with events and their dates, such as when the Yankees won the world series and other outstanding moments in New York history. We continue to 209 Broadway, Saint Paul's Episcopal Chapel of the Trinity Parish. It opened in 1764 and is the oldest working church building in Manhattan today. It was built because the parishioners of Trinity Parish thought it was too far of a walk to the main church. It was designed by architect Mc Bean and today is declared a landmark. George Washington and Governor George Clinton, the first govern of New York, attended services here. After the attack of 9/11, Saint Paul Chapel became a place for rescue worker to rest. It is believed that the church was spared by the 9/11 attack because of a old sycamore tree that protected it. Its roots are cast in bronze and are at the Trinity Church today. All around the outside of the church there are very old grave sites. It looks like they are still trying to fix up the area by trying to grow grass on a now gated area of these head stones. In the inside of the chapel are partitions with tributes to 9/11.
To City Hall we go. Between Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street. The building opened in 1811 and has a French Renaissance and Revival architecture. It next to Pace University. The building that stands today is the third City Hall. A cross the way is the New York City Municipal Building. This was built by William Kendall and is on Chambers Street and Centre Street. This was the first skyscraper. On top of the building is the third largest statue in Manhattan. it is called The Civic Fame. In her left hand is a five prongs crown representing the five boroughs of New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Under the building on the ceiling are plain white close knit tiles, called Guastavino Ceiling Titles. The central arches are inspired by the Roman arches of Constantine.
Photos below of The Municipal Building (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of The Municipal Building (Scymcyk, 2014)
We cross over to the Court House, formal known as the Tweed Court House. There are three Statues in front representing Law, Truth, and Equity. This is the back drop for Law and Order TV show. From there we go over to the present City Hall. Our tour guide is Gail. She takes us up the grand marble stair case in to the Governor's Room. This room still has furnishings fro the 1800s. We were not aloud to sit on the chairs in the room, they were roped off. There are numerous portraits of United States Presidents, New York City Governor, Mayors, foreign dignitaries, and military heroes portraits on the walls. Most of the portraits are painted by John Trumbull, except by one that is painted by the architect's friend. The room is painted in French green. In the early 1800s it had views to the Atlantic Ocean. Governor Clinton was said to say that this room was very sunny. And so from that moment on they called it the Governor's Room. Today it is a landmark. It took from 1800-1814 to build City Hall. The War of 1812 slowed things down. And the carvings on the walls were hand carved. The desk in the room at one time was George Washington's, it been there since 1789. In another room La Guardia's desk is being used today by Mayor De Blasio. The floors in the room were replaced due to wear and tear. Due to the fireplace and gas lamps many years ago, the portraits got dirty and had to be replenished . They did not repaint the entire picture they just touched it up. As in years ago the room is still used as a reception hall. We then went down the granite stairs to the City Council Chamber. There was going to be a hearing on Hepatitis as per one of the participates in the hearing. There are 51 members of council, 47 of which are Democrats. What happen in the chamber is they have hearings to see if they can push Bills through that are important to the public. In the building is a statue of Thomas Jefferson holding the Declaration of Independence. Nice statue. To design the building they had a contest and the winner was Mc Comb and was paid $340 dollars to design the building. The clock tower on top of the building was made so ships sailing had a reference point. In the basement, Gail told us, they found during renovations they found many artifacts, including plates, cups, bodies and body parts. The renovations had to be done because plaster and paint were falling off the walls and ceilings. As you look up from the stair case you see a beautiful dome. In the lobby there is a bronze statue of George Washington made by Hubbard. Its a replica of the one in Virginia. He looks like his standing tall and proud, about to make a speech. Lincoln and Grant were layed out here below the down and next to the granite stair case. Today at City Hall the flags were hung at half staff due to the sanitation worker who was ran over and killed. I found City Hall to be a very interesting place to come back and see. Maybe I could get in on a hearing.
1 World Trade Center or as some like to call it The Freedom Tower is the tallest building in New York City today. We were left to walk freely around you can feel that pit in the middle of your stomach. Such a sad time in our history. Two of my very close friends were lost during this time. It is nice to keep their memory alive and to honor them, but it is constant reminder of this time. The reflection pool- water fall is very nice. It had all the names of those who died engraved around it. I wondered over to the survivor tree. This tree survived 9/11 attack and Super storm Sandy. One day I will get the courage up to go inside the Museum. I just visited the memorial last year. Definitely not a good time.
Next on our way to the financial district we walked through Zucotti Park, where Occupy Wall Street was held. People were protesting inequality of finances amount the people, From there we moved on to a much more peaceful place Trinity Church by Wall Street. This church was considered the first skyscraper of New York in 1698, up until 1883. The first structure burnt down, the second was taken town by a storm and, the third still stands today. This is where the bronzed roots of the Survivor Tree are displayed. From here we walked through the financial district, Federal Hall and past the New York Stock Exchange.
Next on our way to the financial district we walked through Zucotti Park, where Occupy Wall Street was held. People were protesting inequality of finances amount the people, From there we moved on to a much more peaceful place Trinity Church by Wall Street. This church was considered the first skyscraper of New York in 1698, up until 1883. The first structure burnt down, the second was taken town by a storm and, the third still stands today. This is where the bronzed roots of the Survivor Tree are displayed. From here we walked through the financial district, Federal Hall and past the New York Stock Exchange.
Then we took a relaxing $2 dollar Ferry Ride over to Governor's Island. The ride took about 15 minutes. Governors Island is 171 acre island in the New York Harbor. It was used as a military base and then the Coast Guard used it. You could rent bikes to take in the view of Lower Manhattan, New York Docks and the Statue of Liberty. It has a couple of children s' parks to play in. There are no formal restaurants, just a couple of food tents, with things like tacos, sandwiches and drinks. We sat in the shade at a table with an umbrella and ate lunch. The ferry ride back is free.
Then off to Battery Park we went. It gets the name Battery from at one time there was a whole battery of cannons there to protect the shores. At one end of he Park is Castle Clinton. As we walked through the park we heard music and saw brake dancers performing. It was nice free entertainment. At the other end of the park was the Hope Garden for AIDS victims. In the center of the park was a memorial for US service men who died in the coastal water. The park gave a great view of New York Harbor.
Then off to Battery Park we went. It gets the name Battery from at one time there was a whole battery of cannons there to protect the shores. At one end of he Park is Castle Clinton. As we walked through the park we heard music and saw brake dancers performing. It was nice free entertainment. At the other end of the park was the Hope Garden for AIDS victims. In the center of the park was a memorial for US service men who died in the coastal water. The park gave a great view of New York Harbor.
The Museum of the American Indian in the Alexander Hamilton Custom House in Lower Manhattan was our next stop. It was designed by Cass Gilbert, who designed the Woolworth Building, in the Beaux Art style (Google, 2014). The four statues in front of the building represent Asia, America, Europe, and Africa.
Our last stop was Fraunces Tavern on Pearl Street. This is where George Washington gave his farewell speech to his troops. The Sons of Liberty would hold their meetings there. We saw too women dress up in Revolutionary times clothing. They were singing and playing instruments from that time.
Photos below of Fraunces Tavern (Scymcyk, 2014)
Our last stop was Fraunces Tavern on Pearl Street. This is where George Washington gave his farewell speech to his troops. The Sons of Liberty would hold their meetings there. We saw too women dress up in Revolutionary times clothing. They were singing and playing instruments from that time.
Photos below of Fraunces Tavern (Scymcyk, 2014)
This day was a nice way to tie in the government and history of New York. It linked our present with our past.
Journal 2
Day 4 The Lower East Side 6/26/14
Day 4 The Lower East Side 6/26/14
Originally Lower Manhattan was occupied by the German, then Irish, and then the "dirty" Italians. The area was very populated with Germans until the Williamsburg Bridge was completed, then all the Jews fro Lower Manhattan came over. The Williamsburg Bridge became known as the Jewish Highway. We walked on to Essex Street and Dalancey Street.
Then on to 105 Orchard Street to the Tenement Museum. Tenement which means Multi-family dwelling. Our wonderful tour guide was Eva. She was extremely knowledgeable. She talked to us about how there was no electricity, no running in door plumbing. How clothes had to be washed out side where the only water was. And that water had to be heated up by burning coal. The only heat they had in the winter was from the fireplaces. The buildings interior was very confined and closed off. The was no fresh air flowing or outside light. Many residents became sick with respiratory ailments. Because of these ailment, it help bring about new laws in 1903 governing these tenements. We walked over to 97 Orchard Street in to a tenement that was built in 1863. Around seven thousand immigrants made this building there home at one time. Can you only imagine that. There are twenty apartments in this building with five floors that 20 families lived in and a basement for businesses. For awhile this area was known as Little Germany. The first business in the basement was a beer company that entertained many guess. Visualize Orchard Street with thousands of people on it wondering around doing their business. Horse drawn wagons, the crowded streets, with garbage and waste every where. Not much of a life, if I do say so my self. Think about it four outhouses for twenty families and patrons of the business. There was a lot of cholera break outs. In 1901 Tenement Laws passed that required there be indoor plumbing, two bathrooms on each floor and running water. These laws were passed because men would bring pictures of the place to show people from up town what it was like down town. The people from up town dare not go down town to such a place as they saw in the pictures. But they also felt something had to be done. As we walked up to the second floor there was the original railing from 1863. At that time each apartment had three rooms with a total of three hundred twenty five square feet. In the early 1900s is when they made windows between each room to let the air and light in. There were small ladder like fire escapes in all the tenements and doors between the apartments so if there was a fire they could escape. About half of your salary would go toward your rent.. At that time there were coal burning stoves and layers of lead paint on the walls. My guess is that could not have been to health of a thing.
Then on to 105 Orchard Street to the Tenement Museum. Tenement which means Multi-family dwelling. Our wonderful tour guide was Eva. She was extremely knowledgeable. She talked to us about how there was no electricity, no running in door plumbing. How clothes had to be washed out side where the only water was. And that water had to be heated up by burning coal. The only heat they had in the winter was from the fireplaces. The buildings interior was very confined and closed off. The was no fresh air flowing or outside light. Many residents became sick with respiratory ailments. Because of these ailment, it help bring about new laws in 1903 governing these tenements. We walked over to 97 Orchard Street in to a tenement that was built in 1863. Around seven thousand immigrants made this building there home at one time. Can you only imagine that. There are twenty apartments in this building with five floors that 20 families lived in and a basement for businesses. For awhile this area was known as Little Germany. The first business in the basement was a beer company that entertained many guess. Visualize Orchard Street with thousands of people on it wondering around doing their business. Horse drawn wagons, the crowded streets, with garbage and waste every where. Not much of a life, if I do say so my self. Think about it four outhouses for twenty families and patrons of the business. There was a lot of cholera break outs. In 1901 Tenement Laws passed that required there be indoor plumbing, two bathrooms on each floor and running water. These laws were passed because men would bring pictures of the place to show people from up town what it was like down town. The people from up town dare not go down town to such a place as they saw in the pictures. But they also felt something had to be done. As we walked up to the second floor there was the original railing from 1863. At that time each apartment had three rooms with a total of three hundred twenty five square feet. In the early 1900s is when they made windows between each room to let the air and light in. There were small ladder like fire escapes in all the tenements and doors between the apartments so if there was a fire they could escape. About half of your salary would go toward your rent.. At that time there were coal burning stoves and layers of lead paint on the walls. My guess is that could not have been to health of a thing.
In 1873 Julius and Nathalie Gumpertz moved in 97 Orchard Street with their four children and a few more unrelated families. The hallways and rooms were dark and dreary. The building opened in 1863 and they move in ten years later. in 1873. Julius was a shoemaker and Nathalie was a stay at home mom. She would shop and clean all day. A lot of her time was spent going up and down the stairs carrying heavy buckets of coal and water. In 1873 1/4 of he workers in New York were out of work. and who suffers the most during these times, you got it the poor. Out of these times came the Out door Relief Program that wold drop coal in the middle of the street for those who needed it it. Soon after Julius could not take it any more and up and left the family. In this period of time one of their children dies and Nathalie is left to support herself and her three other children. Can you imagine a women supporting her family in an area such as this, with crime, prostitution and gangs all around you. Natalie is a strong women and she does not give up. She beings to make dresses for other women in the neighborhood. It gets better Nathalie gets a letter stating that Julius's uncle had died and left them $600 dollars. But Julius is no where to be found, so Nathalie gets the money and takes here daughters and moves out of the grungy apartment to the Upper East Side. Way to go Nathalie. It is said that people turned to each other, the church and the government when times are hard. These places kept records of the people coming and going. In the records show a women and three children getting some assistance at this time. There are some records of a Julius Gumpertz in Ohio.
Our tour guide Eva goes on to talk about an Italian family the Baldizzis. Adolfo and Rosaria. They may have come into the United States
through Canada illegally and made their home at 97 Orchard Street. We listen to an audio of Josephine the Baldizzis daughter. She talks about play out on the front stoop and how her family would play a lot because work was hard to fine as a carpenter. He made the cabinet that is still in the apartment today. She went on to talk about how clean her mother was and how her mother would scrub the pots and pans so clean , that she got the nickname, Shin 'em Up Sadie. Her mom would listen to Italian songs and soap operas. They would get ketchup sandwiches for breakfast. In the 1930s La Guardia mad a campaign to clean up New York. It 1935 97 Orchard Street was closed down for good. The Baldizzis moved out to find a better place to live.
Our tour guide Eva goes on to talk about an Italian family the Baldizzis. Adolfo and Rosaria. They may have come into the United States
through Canada illegally and made their home at 97 Orchard Street. We listen to an audio of Josephine the Baldizzis daughter. She talks about play out on the front stoop and how her family would play a lot because work was hard to fine as a carpenter. He made the cabinet that is still in the apartment today. She went on to talk about how clean her mother was and how her mother would scrub the pots and pans so clean , that she got the nickname, Shin 'em Up Sadie. Her mom would listen to Italian songs and soap operas. They would get ketchup sandwiches for breakfast. In the 1930s La Guardia mad a campaign to clean up New York. It 1935 97 Orchard Street was closed down for good. The Baldizzis moved out to find a better place to live.
Before lunch we split up into small group and were given directions to a Buddhist temple. Off we went. We ended up in the middle of China Town in the Lower East Side. I would say the place was a temple/ store. They were selling jewelry and statues. You could smell the incense burning under a Buddha statue. Below another Statue in the middle of the store were scrolls of fortunes to choose from for a donation of a dollar. Mine thank god was excellent all around. Good fortune for me. But then looked around to see if we could buy something but we had to get back. The directions said turn left when we should of turned right, we got lost a little bit, but found our way. Good fortune, right? While we were walking we could smell the fish and saw that a lot of Asian smoke. It was very crowded, but people were polite as they passed you by.
Photos below of China Town (Scymcyk, 2014)
Photos below of China Town (Scymcyk, 2014)
We stopped for lunch at a Chinese Restaurant. I tried every thing there. It was very good. A little spicy for me. It was nice to be out of the heat for a few minutes.
After lunch we met up with our favorite tour guide, Jim. He gave us a through tour of the Lower East Side.
After lunch we met up with our favorite tour guide, Jim. He gave us a through tour of the Lower East Side.
Our next stop was at the 1st Settlement House established in 1886 On Eldridge Street, later renamed University Settlement. This is said to be the 2nd settlement house in the world. These settlements proved serves to poor immigrants. We proceeded to a Synagogue built in Beaux and Art Deco design by Emery Roth on Rivington Street. It looked very old and not in use. We crossed over to Allen Street and 2nd Avenue. This block had many tenements that were torn down to widen Allen Street. Then we had a nice treat, we stopped at 108 Rivington Street, at the biggest candy store I have ever seen, The Economy Candy Store. WOW. In opened in 1937 it advised Chocolates and old time favorites. It had candy from the floor to the ceiling and such a large selection. A kids (adults) paradise. I brought a piece of gum and lollipops for my kids. Then after a sugar high we went over to the corner of Essex Street and Rivington Street. If you looked up to your left you can see a statue on top the Red Square apartment building a statue of the Russian Lenin. The areas in this location were used as a big market place. it was mostly Jews pushing carts back and forward. This area at one time was the most densely populated area in the world. At this time they also built the Williamsburgh Bridge to relieve the congestion in Manhattan. When walked to the oldest Baptist Church in the City from 1815. Norfolk Riverside Church that was at one point changed into a Jewish Synagogue. We strolled over Grand Street past Clinton Street to Saint Mary's Church. It is the 3rd oldest Catholic Church in New York City. At one time it had six priest and a Bishop. It was remodeled in 1976. At this part of the tour we were distracted by a butterfly that was clinging to everyone. Off then to Saint Augustine Episcopal Church at 290 Henry Street built in 1829 it is the oldest Church. It may have loss it steeple due to lighting. This church at one point merged with Trinity Church. Off to 265 Henry Street Settlement founded in 1893. Seth Low was the president of the settlement at one point. Next to that is Lillian Wald House from 1893-1993. She started the Visiting Nurse Services of New York. Then last stop the most beautiful Synagogue in the United States on Eldriges Street.
We slowly walked back to Allen Street and Canal Street and said our good byes. A few , my self included, continued on and walked over the Williamsburg Bridge. It was covered with graffiti, more of an industrial looking bridge. When we reached the end we stopped for a drink and some fries. It was a nice ending to an enjoyable class of exploring New York City. Thank you.
Below photos of houses of Worship (Scymcyk,2014)
We slowly walked back to Allen Street and Canal Street and said our good byes. A few , my self included, continued on and walked over the Williamsburg Bridge. It was covered with graffiti, more of an industrial looking bridge. When we reached the end we stopped for a drink and some fries. It was a nice ending to an enjoyable class of exploring New York City. Thank you.
Below photos of houses of Worship (Scymcyk,2014)
Post Experience Feelings of New York City 6/26/14
This class has been exciting. I have seen and heard thing I have never seen or heard before. It was very fast pace. So you have to keep up (so New York). People say New York City has so much to do and offer could not have been more true. It is hard to believe that we only live an hour away from all of this. I can now navigate the subway system with confidence, When time permits I will definitively go back and take my family and explore. I can pass on all I have learned and maybe learn some more. New York City is constantly changing, but holding on to the past. It is fascinating to know all that has happened in this great city of ours. It still has a lot of cleaning up to do in certain areas, the work is slow but progressing I would recommend this class to any one. Just wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
This class has been exciting. I have seen and heard thing I have never seen or heard before. It was very fast pace. So you have to keep up (so New York). People say New York City has so much to do and offer could not have been more true. It is hard to believe that we only live an hour away from all of this. I can now navigate the subway system with confidence, When time permits I will definitively go back and take my family and explore. I can pass on all I have learned and maybe learn some more. New York City is constantly changing, but holding on to the past. It is fascinating to know all that has happened in this great city of ours. It still has a lot of cleaning up to do in certain areas, the work is slow but progressing I would recommend this class to any one. Just wear comfortable clothes and shoes.