A blog on 18th & 19th century New York & other distractions.
New York’s Gilded Age Purim Balls
In the latter half of the 19th century, New York City’s wealthy German Jewish elite hosted one of the most extravagant and coveted social events of the season — the annual Purim Ball.
Castle Garden
Castle Garden, also known as Castle Clinton National Monument, has had a varied past. Since its inception in 1808, the sandstone fortress in Manhattan’s Battery Park has been a military fortification, pleasure garden, and America’s first immigration center.
Restaurants and the City
About two hundred years ago, the first restaurants appeared in New York City. Before long, they became a mirror to society, reflecting greater divisions in gender, wealth, and occupation than ever before.
NYC Water: A Tale of Bureaucracy & Greed
New York City parts ways with the Manhattan Company after years of barely upholding their waterworks charter. In this conclusion, find out the crises and triumphs that finally bring “pure and wholesome water” to the city.
Aaron Burr & His Perfect Monster
Water in New York City is a story of greed and bureaucracy in public service where it least belongs but always does. It’s also the story of how a new nation takes shape. You just have to be patient. And in the case of NYC water, very patient!
Christopher Colles Had a Good Idea
Whoever had the idea that the streets of New York were paved in gold was lucky enough to miss about 100 years of filth flowing down the streets and fouling the drinking water. Good thing someone thought to pipe in fresh water. Did it work? No….
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