E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL
September 2012, Volume 9, Number 4
The Historic Districts Council has added several exciting events to our already full September schedule!
Kevin Roche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tuesday, September 25th at 2 p.m.
Sackler Wing: Image courtesy of Scott Norsworthy
Tickets: $30
Contact: [email protected] or 212.614.9107
The redesign and impending reconstruction of the Fifth Avenue entrance plaza at the Metropolitan Museum of Art appears to signal the end of a 45-year long series of design commissions at the Met by the firm of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates.
In 1967 KRJDA was selected to prepare a master plan for expansion of the museum. Since then, they have designed a series of major additions including the Robert Lehman Wing (1975), the Sackler Wing housing the temple of Dendur (1978), and the American Wing (1980), as well as scores of interior renovations, most recently the New American Wing Galleries for Paintings, Sculpture and Decorative Arts (2012), totaling almost fifty separate projects in all.
A perhaps under-recognized aspect of these additions and renovations is the extent to which they reflect the design principles and highlight elements of the museum’s earlier historic architecture.
Kyle Johnson, HDC Adviser and guest curator of the recent exhibition on Kevin Roche at the Museum of the City of New York, will lead a tour of Roche’s work at the Met, highlighting the underlying planning principles and preservation aspects.
Please join the Historic Districts Council and Kyle Johnson to see the work of Kevin Roche.
Tickets are $30 for all. Space is limited, contact [email protected] or call 212-614-9107 to reserve a ticket or click here.
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The Shore Thing: A Practical Seminar on Shoring Methods and Case Studies for Historic Builidings
*Wednesday, October 10th 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
The Neighborhood Preservation Center
232 East 11th Street New York, NY 10003
Courtesy of imby.blogspot
As a building ages, its structural integrity can weaken. From buildings to trenches to ships, shoring practices play an imperative role in the safety and security of many structures, both new and old. Join the Historic Districts Council as we discuss the design and engineering concepts behind this construction science, along with examples of buildings where shoring practices have been utilized.
John J. McErlean, Principal of Plan B. Engineering will discuss the actual process of shoring for historic buildings, examining how methods are different for historic structures.
Eric Hammarberg, Associate Principal of WJE Engineers & Architects, P.C. will address how to undertake and understand emergency shoring and stabilization for historic buildings, including examples of structures that have become compromised.Tim Lynch, Executive Director of the Forensic Engineering Unit, NYC Department of Buildings will address the subject of shoring and discuss the work of the Department of Buildings in regards to overseeing shoring and structural work. He will also detail the importance of proper shoring for historic buildings.
$125 for Non-members (Sign up and receive the benefits of being an HDC member)
$100 for Friends of HDC & Professional Partners!
Contact [email protected] or 212.614.9107 or click here.
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Park Avenue in Context: Film Clips and a Discussion of the Midtown Rezoning
Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 6:00pm
Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street Between Second and Third Avenues, Manhattan
In this fun program of film clips and commentary, architectural historian John Kriskiewicz will examine Midtown’s Park Avenue, which was transformed in a few short years following the Second World War into an office district of Modernist glass towers. Kriskiewicz will show clips from such notable films as The Best of Everything (1959), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967) and discuss the evolution of the avenue and its importance in New York City history and larger popular culture. HDC’s executive director Simeon Bankoff will briefly introduce the recently proposed Midtown rezoning, which has the potential to drastically alter the area with massive new skyscrapers.
Price: $10/$5 Friends of HDC. To purchase tickets, click here or call 212-614-9107. Space is limited.
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Six To Celebrate 2011 Brochures now available online and for purchase!!
2011 Six To Celebrate Brochure: Jackson Heights
As part of our Six To Celebrate program HDC has created walking tour brochures for each of the 2011 neighborhoods. The brochures include beautiful pictures along with historic and current facts about specific areas/buildings. We have done a limited printing so if you would like to own them do not wait! We are currently selling all six for $5 (they cannot be purchased individually).
You can view and purchase all 6 Walking Tour Brochures at http://hdc.org/program-events/six-to-celebrate/six-to-celebrate-2011/walking-tour-brochures.
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Still room left on our last bike tour of the season!
Port Morris Gantries, Bronx
BICYCLE TOUR led by Harry J. Bubbins, director of Friends of Brook Park
In the South Bronx neighborhood of Port Morris, a pair of ferry gantries deteriorating in an empty lot may seem an eyesore to some, but the Friends of Brook Park sees them as the centerpiece to an engaging public space. Taking inspiration from other New York City waterside parks, this new park will combine recreation, education, and preservation of New York’s history for residents and visitors alike. This tour will visit the exterior of the gantries site but also examine other historic areas of Port Morris. A limited number of bicycles are available upon advance request, otherwise bikes will not be provided.
$10, $5 for Friends of HDC, students and seniors. To purchase tickets, click here. Meeting location announced upon registration.
Six to Celebrate is generously supported by The New York Community Trust.
Additional support for the Six to Celebrate Tours is provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from New York City Councilmembers Margaret Chin, Inez Dickens, Daniel Garodnick, Vincent Gentile, Stephen Levin and Rosie Mendez.
Make sure to check out photos from our recent tour of Victorian Flatbush!
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Six To Celebrate 2013 Application now Available
HDC has begun the search for its 2013 Six to Celebrate neighborhoods! You can now apply to be one of the six by going online to http://hdc.org/program-events/six-to-celebrate/2013-application . You may also download the PDF of the application here: Six To Celebrate 2013 application form, or give us a call at 212-614-9107 if you would like one sent to you. To read more information about the Six To Celebrate program view our website http://hdc.org/program-events/six-to-celebrate. We look forward to your submissions.
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Title: Coffee Talk: Understanding NYC’s Home Improvement Business Law
Location: Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street, Between Second and Third Avenues, Manhattan
Date: October 1
Time: 8:30 am-10:00 am
Description: As many homeowners know, undertaking restoration or repair work can present a myriad of challenges that go beyond the work itself. The Department of Consumer Affairs, New York City’s watchdog for maintaining a fair marketplace, works to protect property owners from misleading trade practices through its Home Improvement Business Law.
Join us on October 1 as Ricky Wong, Director of Community Relations, gives helpful hints on hiring home improvement contractors, explains the Department’s licensing requirements and addresses questions concerning property owners’ rights when undertaking construction projects.
RSVP to [email protected]
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Suggest a Site for A Cultural Medallion!
Edward Durell Stone House, 130 East 64 Street
The Cultural Medallions are a program of the Historic Landmarks Preservation Center. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Chair of the HLPC, created the Cultural Medallions program to ensure that New York’s rich history was not forgotten. The HLPC has installed close to 100 medallions around the city to heighten public awareness of the cultural and social history of New York City. HLPC and HDC have been working together to provide new plaques since 2011.We invite nominations for new medallions by filling out this form. Site should reflect significant individuals or events, where people lived, or the events occurred, in still existing buildings. The program seeks to honor individuals who have made important contributions to New York City in the arts, sciences, the law, business, education, sports and politics, as well as anything you consider truly remarkable and original that has contributed to the cultural heritage of New York City.
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We need you to continue the campaign! By donating you are aiding in the fight to preserve New York City’s irreplaceable architecture and history. HDC is the only organization that works with communities in all five boroughs. That’s a lot of buildings, and we can only do it with a lot of people
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The Advocate for New York City’s Historic Neighborhoods
232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003
tel: 212-614-9107 fax: 212-614-9127 email: [email protected]