The Brooklyn Museum has announced “Nobody Promised You Tomorrow: Art 50 Years After Stonewall,” an exhibition featuring twenty-two contemporary LGBTQ+ artists whose work honors the fight for queer liberation in the years since the 1969 Stonewall Uprising – on view May 3 through December 8, 2019. [Read more…] about Art 50 Years After Stonewall Exhibit Opening in Brooklyn
New York City
Cartographic Visions of New Netherland
The New Amsterdam History Center’s Lecture Series, in the City of New York, is set to continue on Wednesday, March 20th, with Cartographic Visions of New Netherland & New Amsterdam: Depictions of Resources and Peoples, led by Ian Fowler, Curator and Geospatial Librarian for the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division at the New York Public Library.
Lindsay’s Snowstorm: A Rising Star Falls to Earth in Queens
Fifty years ago this month, John Vliet Lindsay, 103rd mayor of New York and national paragon of urban progressivism, faced ruin in Rego Park.
The worst winter storm in in almost two decades hit on Sunday, February 9, 1969, dumping 15 inches in Central Park and 20 inches out at Kennedy Airport in Queens and resulting in the deaths of 42 people. Seventy-two hours later, much of the city was dug out and businesses and schools were slowly getting back to normal.
Except in Queens. [Read more…] about Lindsay’s Snowstorm: A Rising Star Falls to Earth in Queens
Israel Putnam: Hero of the Revolution
Robert Hubbard is set to speak on his book Major General Israel Putnam: Hero of the American Revolution, on January 24th at 6:30 pm at the The Fraunces Tavern Museum in the City of New York.
A colorful figure of 18th century America, Israel Putnam (1718-1790) was an important leader in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Hubbard’s lecture will include a discussion of Putnam’s role in the Battle of Brooklyn, the Landing at Kip’s Bay and the Battle of Harlem Heights. [Read more…] about Israel Putnam: Hero of the Revolution
Manhattan’s Mill Street Synagogue: A Short History
The Mill Street Synagogue, the first synagogue in North America, was constructed in 1730 and located on what today is 26 South William Street in Lower Manhattan. It was from this synagogue that two of the leading Jewish figures in eighteenth and early nineteenth century America, Gershom Mendes Seixas and later Mordecai Noah, influenced the Jewish community in the city of New York and beyond.
Although one of the most important sites in the history of the Jewish people in America, currently 26 South William Street is occupied by an Icon parking garage. It’s across the street from Dubliners restaurant and up the street from 85 Broad Street, the old Goldman Sachs building. In a city of perhaps more than 2 million Jewish residents, there is nothing that would inform a passersby or others of the importance of this place. [Read more…] about Manhattan’s Mill Street Synagogue: A Short History
The Case Against Peter Stuyvesant
There is a Stuyvesant Square in Manhattan at 16th Street and 2nd Avenue with a statue of Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch governor of its New Amsterdam colony, a Stuyvesant High School, and a Stuyvesant Town residential development.
At least one group wants these places renamed and the statue removed. According to Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the head of the Shurat HaDin-Israel Law Center “Peter Stuyvesant was an extreme racist who targeted Jews and other minorities including Catholics and energetically tried to prohibit them from settling in then New Amsterdam.” [Read more…] about The Case Against Peter Stuyvesant
1970s Photos of New York Seascapes Exhibit, Reception at Jay Heritage
Jay Heritage Center has announced an exhibit by Robert Gambee, “Manhattan Seascapes,” at their 1907 Carriage House on Saturday, December 15 thru Sunday, December 16, from 2 to 5 pm.
A Champagne Reception, Book Signing and Prints Sale will take place from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, December 15. The exhibit will also be open for viewing and print purchases on Sunday. Exhibit is free and open to the public. [Read more…] about 1970s Photos of New York Seascapes Exhibit, Reception at Jay Heritage
Frida Kahlo Exhibit in Brooklyn Opens Feb 8th
The Brooklyn Museum has announced Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, a Major Exhibition Exploring the Life and Work of the Iconic Mexican Artist.
The exhibition includes Frida Kahlo’s clothing and other personal items; key paintings and drawings by the artist; photographs, film, as well as related objects from the Brooklyn Museum’s collection.
Opening February 8, 2019, the exhibition marks the first time that Kahlo’s personal objects from the Blue House, in Mexico City, will be on view in the United States. [Read more…] about Frida Kahlo Exhibit in Brooklyn Opens Feb 8th
Witch, Be Gone! A Witch Trial Set In Long Island
In the year 1658, at the south fork of Long Island, there was a small fishing and farming settlement called Easthampton.
Recently settled by English Puritans (by way of New England), it was governed by a small group of village aldermen, which was headed by Lord Lion Gardiner, a former British military engineer who faithfully served English King Charles 1st during the Pequot War (1636-1638). [Read more…] about Witch, Be Gone! A Witch Trial Set In Long Island
Jennifer Egan, Annelise Orleck Win Labor Education Awards
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jennifer Egan and historian and activist Annelise Orleck will be the honorees on Thursday, November 29 at the New York Labor History Association’s 32nd Annual John Commerford Labor Education Awards.
Egan and Orleck are being honored for the work they do bringing workers’ history to life and illuminating its relevance for today. Egan’s most recent novel, Manhattan Beach, and Orleck’s most recent book, We Are All Fast-Food Workers Now, demonstrate just how much workers’ stories matter to understanding history. [Read more…] about Jennifer Egan, Annelise Orleck Win Labor Education Awards