On July 27th, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) notified DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries of a distressed humpback whale in Ambrose Channel, one of the busiest waterways in New York Harbor. [Read more…] about Distressed Humpback Whale Freed in NY Harbor
New York Harbor
A Brief History of Governors Island
An island at the tip of Lower Manhattan provided a stage where a local military community participated in national and international events.
From its military beginnings as a colonial militia in 1755, Governors Island became a major headquarters for the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, making it one of the longest continually operated military installations in the country until its closure in 1996. [Read more…] about A Brief History of Governors Island
Castle Clinton: New York’s Almost Forgotten Landmark
An often overlooked and forgotten New York City landmark, Castle Clinton welcomed many of the city’s residents into its walls as a place of innovation, entertainment, and new beginnings.
The circular sandstone fort which currently stands in Battery Park, was built to improve harbor fortifications in 1811. The Southwest Battery, as it was known, never fired a shot. [Read more…] about Castle Clinton: New York’s Almost Forgotten Landmark
Old Port of New York Lighthouses, Navigation Aids Lecture
The National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island, NY is continuing its educational lecture series with “The Lost Lighthouses of Staten Island” on Thursday, April 4, 2019, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Museum.
Historian, librarian and sailor Andrew Wilson will lead an armchair cruise around the harbor visiting the vanished lighthouses and aids to navigation that made the old port of New York the greatest in the World. [Read more…] about Old Port of New York Lighthouses, Navigation Aids Lecture
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
1774 Patriots: New York’s Tea Party
New York played an important role during the American Revolution, but the New York Tea Party story remains relatively unknown, often misunderstood, and overshadowed by New York’s larger military role in the American Revolution. [Read more…] about 1774 Patriots: New York’s Tea Party
The Erie Canal, New York City, and Democratic Government
Along the Erie Canal, Buffalo, N.Y. (No. M 71, Buffalo News Co., Buffalo, N.Y.) courtesy ErieCanal.orgOn July 4, 1817, at Rome, New York on a site now occupied by the Worthington Industries Steel plant, there was a ceremony allegedly turning the first spade of earth on the construction of the Erie Canal, one of the most important public works projects in history.
As we approach the Bicentennial of the Canal’s construction, we would do well to better understand this history and its importance. On July 2, 2017 there will be a march through Lower Manhattan sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Historical Association celebrating this event. [Read more…] about The Erie Canal, New York City, and Democratic Government
A History of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Nancy Webster and David Shirley’s new book, A History of Brooklyn Bridge Park (Columbia University Press, 2016), recounts the grassroots, multi-voiced, and contentious effort, beginning in the 1980s, to transform Brooklyn’s defunct piers into a beautiful, urban oasis.
By the 1970s, the Brooklyn piers had become a wasteland on the New York City waterfront. Today, they have been transformed into a park that is enjoyed by countless Brooklynites and visitors from across New York City and around the world. The movement to resist commercial development on the piers reveals how concerned citizens came together to shape the future of their community. [Read more…] about A History of Brooklyn Bridge Park
NYC Lecture Series Begins With ‘East River’ Thursday
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society begins its Fall Lecture Series with a presentation on the commercial and cultural significance of the river and channel that surround Roosevelt Island and separate Manhattan and Queens.
Bob Singleton, Executive Director of the Greater Astoria Historical Society, will cover the East River from Governors Island to Fort Totten in a lecture at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, on Thursday, September 8, 2016, at 6:30 pm. [Read more…] about NYC Lecture Series Begins With ‘East River’ Thursday
1797 Fort Jay Letter Acquired By Jay Heritage Center
About seventeen years ago, inspired by the purchase of several volumes of a popular 19th century journal, John Adler had an idea – make the American narrative more accessible to the public. So upon his retirement, the former advertising executive launched a multi-year endeavor to create a database of articles, images and ads scanned from the iconic Harper’s Weekly Magazine.
Harper’s was the premiere chronicle of political events and literary commentary of its day, and Adler’s invention would help readers navigate thousands of stories from 1857 to 1916. One could find everything from headlines about Lincoln’s election to Thomas Nast’s cartoons denouncing slavery. This online trove christened “HarpWeek” was further complemented by academic essays and materials for educators. In 2003, Adler’s searchable scholarship “HarpWeek Presents Lincoln and the War” won recognition from the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Institute and an E-Lincoln Prize. [Read more…] about 1797 Fort Jay Letter Acquired By Jay Heritage Center