See New York City History Revealed – Walking Tour of Landmarks and Period Architecture
As the largest city, and one of the oldest cities in the United States, New York City is home to a wealth of historical information and sites. It’s possible to walk through the different periods of history that have made the city what it is today.
Begin by visiting Historic Richmond Town, a living history and museum complex. It’s located on Staten Island and can be accessed by taking the Staten Island ferry (it’s free!) from Manhattan and then taking the S74 bus to Richmond Rd. Admission is low and guided tours are available. Over 30 original structures dating to the colonial times are at Richmond Town including one of the oldest homes in the United States.
Revolutionary War
We don’t hear as much about the role of New York City in the Revolutionary War but the city, and the people of the city paid a heavy price. Three times as many Americans died in NY jails and prison ships in the harbor as the number killed in all the battles fought during the war! The Old Stone House in Brooklyn was the scene of the longest and first major battle of the Revolution. The house is a replica of the original home and a small museum devoted to the colonial era is inside. For a less gruesome experience, visit Fraunces Tavern and grab a meal. The tavern was one of George Washington’s old haunts and served as the Department of Foreign Affairs for a short time after the war.
Civil War
While no battles of the Civil War were fought in the city (the closest being at Gettysburg), New York played a vital role in the war. Wall Street financiers made large fortunes on the cotton trade. The largest supplier of money and materials for the war, as well as pro-offering 1/5th of the entire Union Army New York was a key player. Ask a schoolchild to name one of the battleships of the Civil War and chances are good they’ll say the Monitor or the Merrimac. The battle between these two ships was epic. A memorial to the Monitor (of Union fame) can be found in Battery Park. A stop at Plymouth Church should also be made. This church served as the “Grand Central Depot” of the Underground Railroad. The church served as a stopping point for slaves escaping slavery in the south, before making a final push north to Canada.
Immigration Wave
A historical tour of New York can’t neglect the impact of the immigration wave of the late 19th and early 20th century. Many of the famous landmarks recognized today are because of this era. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are two of the best known locations. A new(er) museum is the Tenement Museum. Visitors can walk through a tenement house that has been refurbished to appear as it did between 1863 and the early 1900’s. Guided tours of apartments recreate immigrant life and neighborhood walking tours explore how life was on the Lower East Side. Free readings, discussions, and video screenings are regularly shown. Another area made famous by film is the 5 Points neighborhood as portrayed in Gangs of New York. More than 85,000 artifacts had been exhumed and stored at the World Trade Center prior to 9/11 and many were destroyed after the attack but not before the collection had been chronicled. Very few original buildings exist but you can see the locations and some remnants. Anthropology in Practice does a good job of showing the then and now.
While many of the old immigrant neighborhoods have gentrified a visit to Chinatown, Little Italy, or any other ethnic neighborhood is sure to me a memorable experience
The Great Depression
When the stock market crashed in 1929 it was New York City that first plummeted into economic panic. Wall Street remains where it was throughout much of history and can be visited. Many immigrants who called the city home were already living in poverty and the depression put the final nail in the coffin. The Inwood section of Manhattan is one of the areas that have been chronicled and historic points laid out. Central Park was home to a “Hooverville” or shanty town in the early years of the Depression.
World War Two Era
Perhaps one of the greatest gems to learn about New York City and it’s role in history is the New-York Historical Society Museum and Library. Because of the wars all-encompassing impact and the enormous number of immigrants in the city it was bound to have a major impact. The Manhattan Project, that developed the nuclear bomb was first drawn up in New York at Columbia University. Both sides of the conflict were seen in New York, from the Nazi leaning Camp Seigfried on Long Island to the thousands of immigrants fleeing conflict that came through Ellis Island nowhere was the second world war felt more. Nearly 1 million New Yorkers served in the American military during this time. The Brooklyn War Memorial in Cadman Plaza Park honors those who served in the conflict. A 2012 article from The New York Times reports in detail some of the contributions and sites around the city related to World War II.
Civil Rights Movement
New York City and specifically Harlem, played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement. Famous activists W.E.B. DuBois, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., and Malcolm X all lived in the city and for many years. The NAACP and National Urban League maintained headquarters in Harlem. A visit can be made to Riverside Church where Martin Luther King Jr. made one of his most famous speeches. Known as the Waldorf of Harlem, the Hotel Theresa was a common meeting place for civil rights leaders. When other prestigious city hotels refused to accept black guests, Theresa took them in. Today it operates as Theresa Towers and housing commercial and professional tenants. Walking tours of Harlem focusing on the Civil Rights era takes visitors on a two hour exploration of the streets, places, and events that shaped the movement in New York City.
Present Day
New York has a modern day history that is worth experiencing as well. The National 9/11 Memorial is now open for visitors to share their 9/11 memories and learn about the memorial through rotating artifacts and exhibits. It was after this tragedy that New York’s first responders were recognized for their dedication to the people of the city. The New York Fire Museum is home to artifacts and gear dating from the 18th century to the present and is a prime location to learn not only about firefighters but fire safety as well. Don’t forget a stop at the Museum of the City of New York for exhibits throughout the decades, all focused on the city. If you’d rather skip the museums but still learn and experience modern day New York, why not take a walking food tour? Food tours are available in lots of neighborhoods featuring different kinds of food and history. There’s even a “pay what you want” option!
You can easily spend weeks and maybe even months exploring the history of New York so pick your favorite time period(s) and start experiencing this great city!