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.
New York
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.
Love, Liberty, and Quarantine: The Story of Bedloe’s Island
Quarantines are nothing new in America. Liberty Island in New York Bay, once called Bedloe’s Island, has a long history as a quarantine station.
The Sons of Neptune
Prior to 1765, a secret society composed of a diverse, radical group of sailors in the American colonies formed. They called themselves the Sons of Neptune.