E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL
July 2012, Volume 9, Number 2
August Events!
Reminder: Join Us This Tuesday, July 17!
~Cultural Medallions Celebrate the Lives of Two African-American Pioneers of Literature and Music~
This Tuesday, July 17, 2012, the Historic Districts Council and the Historic Landmarks Preservation Center will unveil new cultural medallions to two pioneers in the fields of literature and music. First at 11:00am, in collaboration with the Fort Greene Association, author Richard Wright will be celebrated with a medallion unveiling at 175 Carlton Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Among the featured guests will be celebrated playwright Lynn Nottage and musician and author Carl Hancock Rux.
At 2:00pm, join us for the unveiling of a medallion commemorating the life of Odetta, the legendary singer,
songwriter and political activist, at her longtime residence, 1270 Fifth Avenue, in East Harlem. Pianist Dave Keyes will perform Odetta’s signature piece, “This Little Light of Mine”. The public is invited for free to both events.
——————————————————————————————————-
Secret Lives Tour: Grand Central Terminal
August 15, 2012: 10:00am
Limited to 20 participants
Image Courtesy of Library of Congress
Join the Historic Districts Council Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. for this very rare opportunity to explore the hidden twists and turns of Grand Central Terminal and hear the stories these unique spaces tell. This special tour will be led by Dan Brucker of the Metro North Railroad press office. Mr. Brucker will tour attendees through such well-known spaces as the Great Hall, Vanderbilt Hall, the upper and lower concourses, as well as such rarely-accessed spaces as the Operations Control Center, special train platform (used by president Franklin D. Roosevelt, among others), sub-basement (which Hitler tried to have destroyed in 1942), glass catwalks, and more. $75 for Friends of HDC, $100 Non-Friend. Purchase tickets here!! Space is VERY limited.
|
——————————————————————————————————-
ANOTHER ROCKAWAY EVENT ADDED!!! Due to overwhelming demand, HDC will be holding another BUNGALOWS OF ROCKAWAY walking tour in August!
WALKING TOUR led by Nancy Solomon, folklorist and executive director of Long Island Traditions
Saturday, August 25, 10:30am
Once upon a summertime, Far Rockaway was the vacation spot for working-class New Yorkers. Although recent decades have erased much of this history, just off the Boardwalk on Beach 24th, 25th, and 26th Streets rows of beach bungalows built between 1918 and 1921 still stand. The Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association is seeking to preserve and revitalize this unique collection of approximately 100 buildings. Guide Nancy Solomon will discuss this unique grouping and attendees will get to see inside several bungalows, many of which retain their simplicity and historic charm. For those interested in a day at the beach afterward, the boardwalk is just steps away!
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.
——————————————————————————————————-
~New Materials Available on the Fight to Save the Landmarks Law~
Thanks to the always-improving City Council website, we have now posted additional materials about the May 2, 2012 hearing on 11 bills to modify the Landmarks Law on our website, including a link to the video of the proceedings, transcripts and submitted testimony. We also have posted materials from our June 19, 2012 emergency coalition meeting. Please join the growing coalition by filling out the form on our website or emailing [email protected] and stay tuned for further developments.
——————————————————————————————————-
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
——————————————————————————————————-
Sign up to receive our emails
——————————————————————————————————-
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]