Events in September 2021
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Urban Archive Map Demo
Urban Archive Map Demo
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Sep 14, 2021Tuesday, September 14, 20215:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.Via ZoomLearn about your neighborhood! In this workshop, we'll show you how to uncover local history using maps, tours, and stories created by the Historic Districts Council on Urban Archive. Sam Addeo, Director of Community and Development, at Urban Archive will demonstrate how to use UA using the location based app on your smartphone or from the comfort of your own home using your computer.No prior knowledge necessary. You do not have to download or sign in to UA to join this webinar.Free, registration required
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Saving Stuyvesant Town Book Talk
Saving Stuyvesant Town Book Talk
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Sep 21, 2021Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
From city streets to City Hall and to Midtown corporate offices, Saving Stuyvesant Town is the incredible true story of how one middle class community defeated the largest residential real estate deal in American history. Lifetime Stuy Town resident and former City Councilman Dan Garodnick recounts how his neighbors stood up to mammoth real estate interests and successfully fought to save their homes, delivering New York City's biggest-ever affordable housing preservation win.
In 2006, Garodnick found himself engaged in an unexpected battle. Stuyvesant Town was built for World War II veterans by MetLife, in partnership with the City. Two generations removed, MetLife announced that it would sell Stuy Town to the highest bidder. Garodnick and his neighbors sprang into action. Battle lines formed with real estate titans like Tishman Speyer and BlackRock facing an organized coalition of residents, who made a competing bid to buy the property themselves. Tripped-up by an over-leveraged deal, the collapse of the American housing market, and a novel lawsuit brought by tenants, the real estate interests collapsed, and the tenants stood ready to take charge and shape the future of their community. The result was a once-in-a-generation win for tenants and an extraordinary outcome for middle-class New Yorkers.
Garodnick's colorful and heartfelt account of this crucial moment in New York City history shows how creative problem solving, determination, and brute force politics can be marshalled for the public good. The nine-year struggle to save Stuyvesant Town by these residents is an inspiration to everyone who is committed to ensuring that New York remains a livable, affordable, and economically diverse city.
Free, registration required
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On and off Atlantic Avenue before the Antic
On and off Atlantic Avenue before the Antic
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Sep 26, 2021Sunday, September 26, 2021
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
This is an in-person walking tour
The Atlantic Antic, one of New York largest street fairs, returns on Oct. 3rd. Hear about the diverse commercial, social, civic and architectural merits of this great old Brooklyn thoroughfare. From Atlantic Center to Court Street, Atlantic Avenue is the commercial spine of the Boerum Hill neighborhood. It has two distinct Arabic shopping centers, an array of specialty shops, old and new residences, civic and social service facilities. Also view various mosques and churches that reflect the diverse ethnic history of the area. Walk parallel streets in the landmark districts that contain some of New York’s finest rows of pre Civil War houses and preview various eating establishments. See a former newspaper printing plant, remnants of a brewery, sights connected to Native American ironworkers and lots more before the festivities begin.
$25/$30
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Long Island City Virtual Tour
Long Island City Virtual Tour
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Sep 28, 2021September 28, 2021
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
Long Island City (Newtown Creek, East River, 51st Street) was an independent city from 1870 to 1898. It is dubbed the ‘Cradle of Creativity’ from its storied record of creative ideas and the imaginative people behind them.
It launched New York as the nation’s business center (two 1640 millstones are in Queens Plaza). The Sunnyside Railyards and Degnon Terminal, remain one of the world’s largest railyard-industrial complexes. The Steinways, while en résidence at their mansion, created Steinway Hall, instrumental in making our city the World’s Capital of Culture and Ideas. The Steinway Piano Factory makes 95% of pianos on the professional stage. From its Van Dam office, Sony revolutionized the entertainment industry.
Notable model housing, Sunnyside Gardens, Phipps Gardens, Mathews Model Flats, are studied by urban planners. Bohemian Hall created the craft beer craze that swept the nation. Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern food made the community the top choice among the city’s gourmands. Ethel Merman, Tony Bennet, leads a cast of artists that have called it home.
$25/$30
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Book talk- American Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria and the Making of a Century
Book talk- American Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria and the Making of a Century
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Sep 30, 2021September 30, 2021
5:00 p.m.
via Zoom
Known internationally as a symbol of elegance and luxury, Manhattan’s Waldorf-Astoria is one of the world’s most famous hotels. Its reputation as a host to political leaders and movie stars is matched only by the renown of its cuisine and soaring Art Deco architecture. In this lecture based on his recent book, American Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria and the Making of a Century, historian David Freeland will take us beyond the glittering image, using rare photos and documents to reveal the full extent of the Waldorf’s contribution as a shaper of twentieth century life and culture. Freeland’s talk for Historic Districts Council will take place on the 90th anniversary of the day – September 30, 1931 – the current Waldorf-Astoria building on Park Avenue opened to the public.
Along the way, we’ll gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of the fascinating ways the Waldorf-Astoria – as an institution devoted to hospitality – influenced the social and political life of the city. Taking us back to a time when American hotels saw themselves as leaders within their communities, Freeland will illustrate how the Waldorf-Astoria contributed to some of New York’s most dramatic events while fulfilling its institutional mission as a host to the metropolis. He’ll also discuss the successful preservation effort – led by HDC and its allies – that resulted in the landmark designation of much of the Waldorf’s interior in 2017.