2)Quintessential Queens....
Queens County is the largest and probably the most culturally diverse in all of the New York Counties. It is the eastern most of all the five boroughs and located on the western end of Long Island (ENY, p. 213). Queens is often an afterthought as one of the five boroughs to visit but trust me, there is much to see and experience in this amazing borough of New York.
Our journey to explore Queens with Mike and Meritta began with a ride on the E and 7 trains from Penn Station to Flushing Meadow Corona Park. This park is the fourth largest of all the New York public parks (ENY, p.217). In the 1920’s this area was known as the Corona Ash Dumps. It was originally a dumping ground for ashes, horse manure, and garbage. In the 1930’s then Parks Commissioner Robert Moses ordered the area to be cleared to accommodate the 1939-1940 Worlds Fair (ENY, p. 217).
Not only was the 1939-40 Worlds Fair held at Flushing Meadow Park, it was also the site of the 1964-65 Worlds Fair. These fairs were year long expressions held in different parts of the world. Queens County was fortunate enough to host not one but two of them. The theme of the first Worlds Fair held at Flushing Meadow was “The World of Tomorrow” and the second was “Peace Through Understanding” (ENY, p. 220).
Queens County is the largest and probably the most culturally diverse in all of the New York Counties. It is the eastern most of all the five boroughs and located on the western end of Long Island (ENY, p. 213). Queens is often an afterthought as one of the five boroughs to visit but trust me, there is much to see and experience in this amazing borough of New York.
Our journey to explore Queens with Mike and Meritta began with a ride on the E and 7 trains from Penn Station to Flushing Meadow Corona Park. This park is the fourth largest of all the New York public parks (ENY, p.217). In the 1920’s this area was known as the Corona Ash Dumps. It was originally a dumping ground for ashes, horse manure, and garbage. In the 1930’s then Parks Commissioner Robert Moses ordered the area to be cleared to accommodate the 1939-1940 Worlds Fair (ENY, p. 217).
Not only was the 1939-40 Worlds Fair held at Flushing Meadow Park, it was also the site of the 1964-65 Worlds Fair. These fairs were year long expressions held in different parts of the world. Queens County was fortunate enough to host not one but two of them. The theme of the first Worlds Fair held at Flushing Meadow was “The World of Tomorrow” and the second was “Peace Through Understanding” (ENY, p. 220).
As we walked past the Unisphere, which was constructed to represent “Mans Achievements on a Shrinking Globe and Expanding Universe” (ENY, p. 218), we were able to witness it with the fountains a go. The fountains are only active during the US Open Tennis events which are hosted at the park and were ongoing while we were there.
We then ventured off to the right of the Unisphere to another hidden gem located on the park grounds. The Queens Museum of Art. The building that houses the museum was originally constructed to be the New York City Building for the 1939-40’s Fair (ENY, p. 221).
Within the museum we saw an amazing exhibit called the “Panorama” This exhibit is a 9000 square foot three dimensional replication of New York City with all its boroughs.
The Panorama was constructed for the 1964-65 Worlds fair and contains more than 895,000 buildings on a scale of 1inch to 100 feet in New York constructed before 1992 (ENY, p. 221).
We then ventured off to the right of the Unisphere to another hidden gem located on the park grounds. The Queens Museum of Art. The building that houses the museum was originally constructed to be the New York City Building for the 1939-40’s Fair (ENY, p. 221).
Within the museum we saw an amazing exhibit called the “Panorama” This exhibit is a 9000 square foot three dimensional replication of New York City with all its boroughs.
The Panorama was constructed for the 1964-65 Worlds fair and contains more than 895,000 buildings on a scale of 1inch to 100 feet in New York constructed before 1992 (ENY, p. 221).
After our time in Flushing Meadow Corona Park, we once again hopped the train over to Jackson Heights. This is a very culturally diverse area of Queens County. Jackson Heights is a mx of residents from Argentina, Columbia, and parts of Asia. There is also a very large Indian community located around 74th Street near Roosevelt Avenue (ENY, p. 216). We were fortunate enough to experience authentic Indian cuisine for lunch during our brief stop in the area.
After lunch we ventured off to Astoria. This area of Queens was originally known as Hallett’s Cove but in an attempt to develop the area, in the 19th century a deal was made with John Jacob Astor to invest $2000 in the neighborhood (ENY, p. 223). Although Mr Astor did not fully keep his end of the financial agreement, nor did he ever step foot in the area, the neighborhood still to this day remains named after him.
After lunch we ventured off to Astoria. This area of Queens was originally known as Hallett’s Cove but in an attempt to develop the area, in the 19th century a deal was made with John Jacob Astor to invest $2000 in the neighborhood (ENY, p. 223). Although Mr Astor did not fully keep his end of the financial agreement, nor did he ever step foot in the area, the neighborhood still to this day remains named after him.
In the late 19th century, the area also saw an influx of German immigrants. One of these immigrants was Heinrich Steinweg. Steinweg immigrated to the area and began a piano company familiar to all of us, Steinway and Sons. Steinweg built an entire 400 acre community around his factory including housing for it’s workers, its own post office and church (ENY, p. 223). The Steinway factory still remains in Astoria to this day.
Another little known fact about Astoria is this. Astoria played an important role in the movie industry prior to World War II (ENY, p. 224). The movie industry has since moved to California in favor of the warmer climate but Kaufman Studios still remains in Astoria. Some of the notable movies produced by Kaufman Astoria Studios are “Men in Black” and the “Bourne Films” (ENY, p. 224). While we were in Astoria, we were able to visit the Museum of the Moving Image on 35th Avenue. This museum is home to one of the largest collection of film artifacts in the world. (ENY, p.224)
Another little known fact about Astoria is this. Astoria played an important role in the movie industry prior to World War II (ENY, p. 224). The movie industry has since moved to California in favor of the warmer climate but Kaufman Studios still remains in Astoria. Some of the notable movies produced by Kaufman Astoria Studios are “Men in Black” and the “Bourne Films” (ENY, p. 224). While we were in Astoria, we were able to visit the Museum of the Moving Image on 35th Avenue. This museum is home to one of the largest collection of film artifacts in the world. (ENY, p.224)
After our time in Astoria it was back on the train to Long Island City and Gantry State Park.....
Long Island City is located on the Western most tip of Long Island and has undergone a rapid transformation recently (ESN, p.225). This was once an industrial area as evident by it’s many abandoned factories and buildings.
The area is however in the midst of an amazing transformation. Many of the factories have been knocked down and the properties cleared for building of million dollar skyscraper apartment buildings. These apartments have some of the most expensive water views as well as views of the unmistakable Manhattan skyline. Right outside the front door of these apartment buildings, you can see the iconic Pepsi Cola sign and walk along the waterfront in Gantry State Park.
The area is however in the midst of an amazing transformation. Many of the factories have been knocked down and the properties cleared for building of million dollar skyscraper apartment buildings. These apartments have some of the most expensive water views as well as views of the unmistakable Manhattan skyline. Right outside the front door of these apartment buildings, you can see the iconic Pepsi Cola sign and walk along the waterfront in Gantry State Park.
3) Booming Brooklyn!
Brooklyn, also known as Kings County is the most populated county in all of the five New York City boroughs. Our journey through Brooklyn began on Friday morning in a place called Coney Island….
Brooklyn, also known as Kings County is the most populated county in all of the five New York City boroughs. Our journey through Brooklyn began on Friday morning in a place called Coney Island….
Famed for it's boardwalk and amusement park, Coney Island was one of the earliest seaside resort communities in the United States (ENY, p. 193). Originally Coney Island was in fact, an actual island. This is no longer true. The creek that once separated Coney Island from the rest of Brooklyn was filled in which now attaches it to Brooklyn and makes it reachable by train, car and bus.
If you wander through the famous amusement park, Luna Park, past the famous Cyclone roller coaster from yesteryear, and past the giant ferris wheel, you will find yourself on the boardwalk at Coney Island. Views of the Atlantic ocean as far as the eye can see...
Coney Island was nice but my personal favorite part of the day was once we arrived in Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights. To me this area had a very "Manhattan feel" to it. We were able to see Brooklyn Borough Hall and discuss the architectural style of many buildings we saw along the way. Brooklyn Borough Hall is considered one of New York's Finest examples of Greek Revival architecture (ENY, p. 203)
From here our path took us to the New York Transit Museum. This museum is located in an actual subway station that if you blinked your eye, you would walk right past on the street. Unfortunate for you if that happens. This amazing museum is dedicated to the history of the mass transit system in New York. It houses artifacts and real subway cars from the past that you as a visitor, are encouraged to touch, feel, climb on, and experience. The exhibit itself is called "Steel, Stone, and Backbone. Building New York's Subway from 1900-1925". It pays tribute not only to the transit system itself but also to the men that did the work to build it, some of them losing their lives in the process as it was indeed backbreaking and dangerous work.
And then we were off to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge park and "DUMBO" (down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass)….These areas were absolutely amazing. The promenade in Brooklyn Heights boasts some of the best views of Manhattan across the East River and is home to a number of historic churches, most especially the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims (ENY, p.201). In the early 19th century Brooklyn Heights became the first New York commuter community (ENY, p.201). The steam ferry service across the river, proximity to Manhattan, and the "wholesomeness" of life in Brooklyn lead to this area becoming exclusively residential (ENY, p, 201). This was where families moved to escape the hectic pace of Manhattan life without being too far away.
The Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1887 and was constructed not for the weight of the cars and trucks that travel it today. It was however so well built that it is able to handle the capacity of traffic that travels it everyday, both on foot, bicycle, car or truck. It is one of the most well contracted suspension bridges known. The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge and the arrival of the subway in 1908 led to a period of relative decline in Brooklyn Heights (ENY, p.201). Housing prices dropped by the end of World War II and many of the desirable town homes and brownstones became subdivided to accommodate less wealthy tenants. This made Brooklyn Heights a desirable and affordable place for artists and writers (ENY,p. 201). Some of the more well known artists and writers that once called Brooklyn Heights home are Salvador Dali and writer Truman Capote (ENY, p. 201). Walt Whitman also resided there however the home he lived in no longer exists. It was knocked down and the patch of land is now a playground of sorts.
As we ventured on further we walked through and experiences DUMBO. This part of Brooklyn Bridge Park is home to the famous Jane's Carousel. The carousel is named for the woman that found and painstakingly restored it. The carousel was originally built in 1922 for a theme park in Youngstown Ohio that was later destroyed by fire (ENY, p. 207). Jane Walentas restored the carousel by hand and she along with her husband, who was one of the major real estate developers in DUMBO, decided to place it in the park. It is now protected from the elements by a $9million dollar transparent enclosure known and the "jewel box" designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. (ENY, p. 208). The carousel is restored to it's original beauty thanks to Mrs Walentas and 20 years of effort and you can actually ride the carousel while overlooking the water with a view of the Manhattan Bridge for only $2.
As we ventured on further we walked through and experiences DUMBO. This part of Brooklyn Bridge Park is home to the famous Jane's Carousel. The carousel is named for the woman that found and painstakingly restored it. The carousel was originally built in 1922 for a theme park in Youngstown Ohio that was later destroyed by fire (ENY, p. 207). Jane Walentas restored the carousel by hand and she along with her husband, who was one of the major real estate developers in DUMBO, decided to place it in the park. It is now protected from the elements by a $9million dollar transparent enclosure known and the "jewel box" designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. (ENY, p. 208). The carousel is restored to it's original beauty thanks to Mrs Walentas and 20 years of effort and you can actually ride the carousel while overlooking the water with a view of the Manhattan Bridge for only $2.
The last leg of our journey to explore Brooklyn with Mike and Meritta took us on foot over the Brooklyn Bridge itself. This walk is something every New Yorker should experience. The views of both Brooklyn and Manhattan on either end as you cross the bridge, words cannot describe.
4) The Charms of Chelsea and the Village… Our third adventure with Mike and Meritta took us through Chelsea and both the West and East Village. We started our journey in Chelsea along the High Line. The High Line was originally an elevated New York Central Railroad line constructed in the 1930's. This was a freight line that ran through the heart of Chelsea to transport produce throughout the city (ENY, p. 84). The train line ran right down 10th avenue and led to many fatalities, so many that 10th avenue became known as "Death Avenue" (ENY, p, 84). The city's response to this was to raise the train line 30 feet above ground for the safety and wellbeing of the pedestrians.
This train line was no longer in use by the 1980's and sat abandoned for 20 plus years. When the elevated line was threatened with demolition a non for profit community group decided to save it and turn it into an elevated park (ENY, p.84). As you walk along the High Line you can see the booming construction of high rise condominiums and apartment buildings offering views of the High Line in an area that was almost all industrial in the past.
While walking along the High Line, we detoured off and down the stairs to street level and off to the galleries we went. Gallery hopping is a popular activity to do in the city. Unlike the traditional museums, the art galleries of Chelsea offer space for artists to sell their works. We were fortunate enough to venture into more than one gallery and see many different forms of artwork. From paintings to sculptures in metal and glass as well as driftwood. It was all very interesting to experience….
This train line was no longer in use by the 1980's and sat abandoned for 20 plus years. When the elevated line was threatened with demolition a non for profit community group decided to save it and turn it into an elevated park (ENY, p.84). As you walk along the High Line you can see the booming construction of high rise condominiums and apartment buildings offering views of the High Line in an area that was almost all industrial in the past.
While walking along the High Line, we detoured off and down the stairs to street level and off to the galleries we went. Gallery hopping is a popular activity to do in the city. Unlike the traditional museums, the art galleries of Chelsea offer space for artists to sell their works. We were fortunate enough to venture into more than one gallery and see many different forms of artwork. From paintings to sculptures in metal and glass as well as driftwood. It was all very interesting to experience….
From Chelsea, we ventured over to Meritta's neck of the woods…the West Village. The West Village runs from the Hudson River to 6th Avenue and is technically part of the larger Greenwich Village (ENY, p. 89). This part of the city is a bit harder to navigate than the areas above 14th Street. The streets of the village are not laid out in a grid pattern like those in other areas of the city so navigating your way around can be a bit tricky if you don't know where you are going (ESN, p.89). This area is historically knows for its sizable gay and lesbian population. The West Village was the site where the Gay Rights Movement began in the 1960's,and since then the area surrounding Christopher Street has been the center of nightlife for the gay population of New York (ENY, p.90)
As we continued on our walking trip through the village we eventually arrived at Washington Square Park. The park is recognizable to most by the arch constructed by Stanford White and completed in 1891 (ENY, p. 95). The seventy foot arch was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and dedicated to the centennial of George Washington's inauguration (ENY, p. 95). What some do not know is that the land that is now the park was actually purchased in 1797 by the City of New York to be used as a potters field (ENY, p.95). In the 19th century the park was also used for public executions by hanging (ENY, p. 95). The elm tree known as "Hangman's Elm" is still standing at the entrance to the park, 300 years old and 110 feet tall (ESN, p.95). This entire area of the city is now dominated by NYU.
As we continued on our walking trip through the village we eventually arrived at Washington Square Park. The park is recognizable to most by the arch constructed by Stanford White and completed in 1891 (ENY, p. 95). The seventy foot arch was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and dedicated to the centennial of George Washington's inauguration (ENY, p. 95). What some do not know is that the land that is now the park was actually purchased in 1797 by the City of New York to be used as a potters field (ENY, p.95). In the 19th century the park was also used for public executions by hanging (ENY, p. 95). The elm tree known as "Hangman's Elm" is still standing at the entrance to the park, 300 years old and 110 feet tall (ESN, p.95). This entire area of the city is now dominated by NYU.
From the West Village we ventured to the East Village. The East Village runs from 14th Street in the north to East Houston Street in the south (ENY, p.98). While we were there we visited and were given a tour of the Merchants House Museum. This museum is a a preserved Federal Style house built in 1832 by Josph Brewster and sold the Seabury Tredwell for he and his family (ENY, p. 99). The house is preserved and still contains many period style furnishings and decorations (ENY, p.99). Seabert Treadwell lived in this house with his wife and eight children as well as four servants until his demise in 1865. The house remianed in the family and was passed down to Tredwells youngest daughter Gertrude. Gertrude Tredwell lived in the house until 1933 (ENY, p.99). Gertrude Tredwell never married and in the time she lived in the house she changed almost nothing. The house is now managed by the House Trust and provides a view inside how the affluent lived in the mid 19th century (ENY, p. 100). It is said that the house is still inhabited by some of its former residents and guests. People have reported sightings of odd unexplainable reflections in mirrors, sounds of footsteps on the stairs, as well as visions of a man sitting in a chair in the entrance hall.
From the Merchants House we walked deeper into the East Village and entered Copper Square. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art was founded by a wealthy industrialist named Peter Cooper. His original goal was to provide education to working class people and had the distinction of being the only free college in all of the United States. The focus of the school today is art, architecture, and engineering and it is one of the most prestigious schools in the nation (ENY, p. 100).
There was so much to see and absorb in the East Village. From it's multiple community gardens to Tompkins Square Park. This area of the city in the past was not a place you wanted to visit. It was a very high crime area, with abandoned buildings in disrepair. In the early 1970's and 80's many of these buildings were occupied by squatters who rehabilitated them. When the 1990's came along however and the real estate prices in the city began to rise again, the landlords wanted to reclaim the buildings they once abandoned. They enlisted the help of the City of New York to try and evict these squatters that now had made these same buildings their homes. The squatters resisted and this led to actual riots and violence in this part of the city. Police showing up in riot gear, some squats mysteriously burning to the ground etc etc (ENY, p. 106). Eventually the strong arm tactics gave way to try and reach an amicable agreement with the few remaining squats that survived. It was agreed that if the buildings could be brought up to code, the residents could purchase them for $1.00. Today only eleven squats remain and are under the ownership of the Urban Homestead Assistance Board by the city of New York (ENY, p. 106). One other notable fact is that if you wander around Tomkins Square Park on East 8th Street, you will notice there is no space large enough for gathering. The park is peaceful and tranquil with some green space but most of the park is broken up into smaller fenced off areas. This park was home to many riots including a 3 day long draft riot in 1863. The most famous riot that took place in Tompkins Square Park was in the summer of 1988. The New York City Police attempted to clear the park of the homeless that were taking up residence there. United against gentrification, the protesters stood together and clashed with the police. Much of this riot was captured on television and showed the police in a not so favorable light, leading to accusations of police brutality in New York City. The park was ultimately closed to the public from June 1991-July 1992 for renovations. These renovations were to reconfigure the park space in such a way that large scale protests could never again be possible there (ESN, p. 107)
There was so much to see and absorb in the East Village. From it's multiple community gardens to Tompkins Square Park. This area of the city in the past was not a place you wanted to visit. It was a very high crime area, with abandoned buildings in disrepair. In the early 1970's and 80's many of these buildings were occupied by squatters who rehabilitated them. When the 1990's came along however and the real estate prices in the city began to rise again, the landlords wanted to reclaim the buildings they once abandoned. They enlisted the help of the City of New York to try and evict these squatters that now had made these same buildings their homes. The squatters resisted and this led to actual riots and violence in this part of the city. Police showing up in riot gear, some squats mysteriously burning to the ground etc etc (ENY, p. 106). Eventually the strong arm tactics gave way to try and reach an amicable agreement with the few remaining squats that survived. It was agreed that if the buildings could be brought up to code, the residents could purchase them for $1.00. Today only eleven squats remain and are under the ownership of the Urban Homestead Assistance Board by the city of New York (ENY, p. 106). One other notable fact is that if you wander around Tomkins Square Park on East 8th Street, you will notice there is no space large enough for gathering. The park is peaceful and tranquil with some green space but most of the park is broken up into smaller fenced off areas. This park was home to many riots including a 3 day long draft riot in 1863. The most famous riot that took place in Tompkins Square Park was in the summer of 1988. The New York City Police attempted to clear the park of the homeless that were taking up residence there. United against gentrification, the protesters stood together and clashed with the police. Much of this riot was captured on television and showed the police in a not so favorable light, leading to accusations of police brutality in New York City. The park was ultimately closed to the public from June 1991-July 1992 for renovations. These renovations were to reconfigure the park space in such a way that large scale protests could never again be possible there (ESN, p. 107)