Discovering NYC

The Battle of Pell’s Point occurred 250 years ago today. 750 Americans under the intrepid Colonel John Glover held off more than 4,000 British and Hessians, buying much-needed time for George Washington as the rest of the army slowly moved north towards White Plains.

Exploring the old traditions New Yorkers kept on New Year’s Eve and Day: discovering.nyc/the-history-...

Pouring one out for the Metrocard tonight! It’s been a great run. I wrote a bit about the tokens and transition to the fare card of the future, along with a little bit of appreciation for the Cardvaark, of course: discovering.nyc/a-token-of-a...

Winter scenes in Central Park, 1864.

A wonderful cross-section of the Airlines Terminal building, 1941. It stood on the SW corner of 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Passengers heading to the new LaGuardia airport could take a "limousine bus" to the airport from here.

One of my favorite views of the Spuyten Duyvil Creek, seen from Tippet’s Hill, 1866. The factory on the spit of land jutting into the creek is the Johnson Iron Works, which produced Delafield cannons during the Civil War.

Scenes in Prospect Park, 1868. Some areas of the park were open, while others, such as the lake, were still under construction and would be for some time.

Quick timeline cleanse: The view aside the old Park Row Terminal, c. 1900. It shows a Flatbush-bound trolley heading up to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, with a train heading into the terminal.

Very interesting to learn about the history behind these parades. Photographer P.L.Sperr took 1930s photographs of Manhattan ragamuffins. Here are some of them.

Thankful for being able to finish up editing through the itis! If you’re just waking up from a late turkey nap, come learn about the Fantasticals and Ragamuffin parades, which is one of the more fun ways New Yorkers used to celebrate Thanksgiving: discovering.nyc/the-fantasti...

Happy Evacuation Day! On this day in 1783, Washington and his men, including General Henry Knox and Governor George Clinton, took “happy repossession” of New York City after seven years of British occupation. The city celebrated in earnest for 10 days. discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...

For anyone looking to learn more about the Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn) #HATM discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...

Today is the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Washington, which is always interesting to write about. For anyone waiting for Ken Burns’ American Revolution tonight (I’m so excited!) this can tide you over for a bit: discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...

Nellie Bly left for her around-the-world trip on this day in 1889. 72 days later she was back home in #NewYorkCity. Read about Nellie's New York in my blog post below. @newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...

Resurrected 9 witch! I feel seen

Ok, hear me out. A Lord of the Rings re-make, but with these two taking the One Ring to Mordor:

I've been attempting to escape "melancholia" by writing blog posts about the Gilded Age. We're halfway through the season so it's high time I post them here. No folderol! discovering.nyc/what-is-the-...

Finally pulled myself up out of the depths of grading to cobble together a post about the Jefferson Market Courthouse. Come for the old fire tower, stay for an overview of the courthouse, and enjoy the bonus pictures that my grandfather took of the old Women's House of Detention in 1966!

A long time ago I did a deep dive into the history behind Gangs of New York & explored how accurate the movie was. It was accurate in some surprising ways! while being completely wrong in others. Anyone want to see this revived for a new blog post? Also ofc Daniel Day Lewis can do no wrong!

Chicago pope blessing the “L” when

Old Penn Station appreciation time, just because. Not that one ever needs an excuse to share this beauty.

#DidYouKnow that there was once a working trolley terminal underneath Delancey Street? Beginning in 1908, the Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal was the departure point for streetcar service running over the Williamsburg Bridge.

Fun Fact: Baseball legends Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle both hit their first home run as a member of the New York #Yankees on May 1st! (The Babe in 1920, The Mick in 1951) ⚾️ #May1st #MLB #Trivia #History #RepBX

It was a lot of fun exploring the Beach Pneumatic Transit and the delightfully named "atmospheric" railways and their "ethereal" science (Victorians, right?!). It must have seemed magical to those who flocked to see Beach's innovative system in the three short years it was open. #history

Obligatory Five Points post (I can't believe I haven't done one yet!). This view shows the eponymous junction, where Orange Street, Cross Street & Anthony Street met. From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827. #NYChistory

The colorful monorail built by the American Machine and Foundry Company for the 1964-65 World’s Fair. Fully automatic, it featured seven two-car trains running along a 4,000 foot loop. Visitors could "see the fair from the air" in the air-conditioned cars, which must have been a treat! #history

On April 22nd, 1964, the 1964-65 World's Fair opened in Flushing Meadows. Here's a fantastic aerial view of the expansive fairgrounds in Flushing Meadows park, showing Shea Stadium on the left. From 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 by the Department of Parks. #NYChistory

The Church of the Transfiguration by Lithuanian architect Jonas Mulokas, at 64-25 Perry Avenue, in Maspeth, Queens, is unlike any other building in the New York City area. #history #queens #historicpreservation

For anyone celebrating today’s other “holiday” 😜: discovering.nyc/the-short-hi...

Happy #Easter for those who are celebrating! Here are impeccably dressed crowds promenading up and down 5th Avenue after Easter Services, c. 1900.

"Wheelman's Rest" in Prospect Park c. 1895. Bicycling up and down nearby Ocean Parkway, which had a dedicated path for doing so, was an immensely popular activity. Clubs such as the Kings County Wheelmen provided a space for people to plan outings and other similar activities. #Brooklyn

A four car train on the 9th Avenue el near 116th Street, 1880. Although many of the lots are still empty or have shanties, development is quickly encroaching. The buildings behind are part of a growing Harlem. From The Tracks of New York Number 3 by Alan Paul Kahn and Jack May. #history

The magnificent Dorilton Apartments seen from 70th Street, 1909. This view looks up Broadway, with the Ansonia Apartments across on 73rd. The sketch is by Joseph Pennell, from The New New York: A Commentary on the Place and the People by John Van Dyke.

I’ve been teaching U.S. History at a NYC public high school for 23 years now. I’m one of the only teachers still currently in the classroom teaching AND speaking out right now. I’m asking other educators to join me & to support me by subscribing to my Substack. substack.com/@saribethros...

A "west side cowboy" riding ahead of an engine which is proceeding down 11th Avenue, c. 1930. These men on horseback warned pedestrians and clear traffic to let the trains pass. The "cowboys" served until 1941, when surface running ended.

🚨 Tomorrow: Join photographer Bethany Jacobson for a free virtual exploration of @historicgreenwood, with insight from the cemetery's former VP of landscape design! 📸 🌳

City Hall decked out in bunting and flags, with numerous city officials gathered to celebrate beginning construction on the new #subway, March 24, 1900. Mayor Robert Van Wyck broke ground for the project using a silver spade from Tiffany & Co. The day was lauded as "Tunnel Day" in the press.