Manhattan

Poet-Boxer Arthur Cravan: The Man Who Shocked Greenwich Village

November 1, 2023 by Jaap Harskamp 1 Comment

The first annual exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists opened at Manhattan’s Grand Central Palace on the evening of April 10, 1917. Thousands of guests gathered to celebrate what was to be the largest art show ever held in New York. The momentous occasion took place in an atmosphere of growing political tension as it coincided with America’s entry into the First World War.

In spite of these circumstances, there was a single figure who attracted widespread attention. Known by his adopted name of Arthur Cravan, he had been invited to deliver a lecture on “The Independent Artists in France and America.” His outrageous behavior shocked New York’s artistic elite. [Read more…] about Poet-Boxer Arthur Cravan: The Man Who Shocked Greenwich Village

Preservationists Reviewing Siting for Thousands of 5G Towers

October 30, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Historic Districts Council of New York City is a consulting party to the Section 106 Historic Review Process for proposed Link5G Towers.

This summer, CityBridge, the private contractor installing 32-foot tall 5G towers, sought to begin the review process. [Read more…] about Preservationists Reviewing Siting for Thousands of 5G Towers

Gangsterland: Organized Crime in 1920s New York City

October 27, 2023 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

This week on the Historians Podcast Historan David Pietrusza talks about his new book Gangsterland: A Tour Through the Dark Heart of Jazz-Age New York City (Diversion Books, 2023).

Gangsterland is a site by site, crime by crime, outlaw by outlaw walking tour through Roaring Twenties Manhattan, where gamblers and gangsters, crooks and cops, showgirls and speakeasies ruled the day and, always, the night. [Read more…] about Gangsterland: Organized Crime in 1920s New York City

Roguery & Mythmaking: Criminal Biographies From Claude Duval to Herbert Asbury

October 19, 2023 by Jaap Harskamp Leave a Comment

Over time, there have been numerous taverns and pubs in England that carried the name of Hole-in-the-Wall. It has been suggested that the name is a biblical reference to Ezekiel 8:7: “And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.”

There is, in other words, an access to every secret which no man can seal off – there is “a crack in everything.” [Read more…] about Roguery & Mythmaking: Criminal Biographies From Claude Duval to Herbert Asbury

Before They Were Famous: A NYC Public Theater Memoir

October 12, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Gail Merrifield Papp’s new book, Public/Private: My Life with Joe Papp at the Public Theater (Applause Books, 2023), is a memoir about her life with famous producer/director Joe Papp as they founded the Public Theater in New York City.

Over their 26-year relationship, the Papps established a partnership that built a theatrical institution. In her memoir, Gail Merrifield Papp provides an inside look at the early years of the Public when plays such as A Chorus Line were just starting and then little-known actors were making their way in show business. [Read more…] about Before They Were Famous: A NYC Public Theater Memoir

‘Thuggery, Intimidation and General Foul Play’: Ogden Mills & The 1935 Nabisco Strike

October 11, 2023 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

Like all great mysteries, it started with an unexpected clue. In this case, a photograph that caught the eye of Joe D’Agostino, Historic Interpreter at Staatsburgh State Historic Site in Hyde Park, Dutchess County, NY.

It was a March 3, 1935 Acme News Service photograph showing workers picketing outside the 5th Avenue, Manhattan mansion formerly owned by Ruth Livingston Mills (1855-1920) and her husband Ogden Mills (1856-1929), who had also owned the Staatsburgh Mansion. [Read more…] about ‘Thuggery, Intimidation and General Foul Play’: Ogden Mills & The 1935 Nabisco Strike

General Horatio Gates in New York City: A Political Legacy

October 8, 2023 by James S. Kaplan 3 Comments

For many years New York City has not been known for its patriotic ceremonies recognizing important Revolutionary War heroes or sites.

Recently this has begun to change, beginning with the rediscovery of the grave of General Horatio Gates, who many consider the second most important American general of the American Revolution. Until about ten years ago his grave located in Trinity Churchyard in Manhattan was completely unmarked.

Gates was the commanding general at the Battle of Saratoga in October of 1777, which most historians agree was the most important battle of the American Revolution and the turning point of the Revolutionary War. He played another important role in early American politics in the city of New York after the war. [Read more…] about General Horatio Gates in New York City: A Political Legacy

Colonel Thomas Picton: Fillibuster, Historian, Editor, Sports Writer & Man About Town

October 6, 2023 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

The following obituary of Thomas Picton Milner (known only as Thomas Picton) first appeared in the New York Recorder of February 25, 1891. It has been lightly edited and annotated by John Warren.

In the [New York] Press Club lot in Cypress Hills Cemetery [located at 833 Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn], Saturday [February February 21, 1891], the clods rattled on the coffin of one who, when alive, was the best informed man about old New York of any who dwelt within its limits. [Read more…] about Colonel Thomas Picton: Fillibuster, Historian, Editor, Sports Writer & Man About Town

Marty Glickman: American Jewish Sports Legend

October 2, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The book Marty Glickman: The Life of an American Jewish Sports Legend (NYU Press, 2023) by Jeffrey S. Gurock takes a look at Marty Glickman, who for close to half a century after World War II, was the voice of New York sports. [Read more…] about Marty Glickman: American Jewish Sports Legend

Greater Hudson Heritage Network 2023 Excellence Awards Announced

September 30, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Greater Hudson Heritage Network’s Awards for Excellence program seeks to recognize and commend exceptional efforts among the Network’s members. Awards are made to projects that exemplify creativity and professional vision resulting in a contribution to the preservation and interpretation of the historic scene, material culture, and diversity of the region. [Read more…] about Greater Hudson Heritage Network 2023 Excellence Awards Announced