Jewish Women in Colonial America
Colonial American Jewish women shared many commonalities with their Christian neighbors, but certain important features of Jewish law and culture set them apart.
British America
Magic Lanterns & Peep Shows
Tracing the origins of optical entertainment through the 18th century. Those crazy kids loved to scare each other with phantasmagoria illusions and devilry.
Living Monsters & Curiosities
New York colonists enjoyed traveling exhibits the world had never seen before.
Drinking & Gaming in 18th Century New York
Back in the 18th century, New Yorkers were on a dissipated mission. Think you could keep up?
Law Enforcement in 18th Century New York
There was a severe shortage of able night-watchmen, constables, sheriffs, jail-keepers, and justices of the peace in 18th century New York.
Pleasure Gardens
The pleasure gardens of early New York were escapes from the bustle of the growing town.
Maiden Lane
Over three hundred years ago, a rippling brook wended down the lane. It’s now Chinatown.
Collect Pond
Once upon a time, a forested countryside expanded into a lush valley that emptied into a sizable and deep freshwater pond fed by underground springs, emptying into salt marshes that would one day become meadows, reaching all the way to the Hudson River.