E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL
June 2013, Volume 10, Number 2
2013 Six To Celebrate Tours
Have you been wondering how you’re going to explore and discover this great city over the summer? Well here’s your answer!
Join HDC on our fantastic walking/ bike tours of the Six To Celebrate neighborhoods. The tours will run from May through October.
Bronx Parks System, The Bronx
Bronx Parks System, The Bronx ; Rocking Stone, Bronx Park, about 1895
photo credit : JFGryphon, Flickr
BIKE TOUR (north Bronx loop) led by Richard Gans, Bronx bike advocate
Saturday, June 15, 9:30AM
In 1888, more than four thousand acres was designated as parkland in The Bronx in anticipation of New York City’s northern growth. This enormous public investment guided the development and planning of the borough to become a livable place for people of modest means. Please join us for two bike tours of the magnificent parks that have shaped The Bronx since their conception 125 years ago. The first tour will explore the parks of the northern Bronx, beginning with a visit to the Van Cortlandt Mansion at Van Cortlandt Park and meandering eastward to Pelham Bay Park with stops at the Valentine-Varian House, the Bronx River Forest and the Bartow Pell Mansion. The second will explore the parks in the south, including Bronx Park, Crotona Park and St. Mary’s Park. Bikes will not be provided.
East Village/Lower East Side, Manhattan
East Village/Lower East Side Proposed Historic District
WALKING TOUR (East Village) led by Elizabeth Finkelstein, preservationist/historian
Saturday, June 29, 11:00AM
Home to waves of immigrants, avant-garde artists and progressive political movements, the East Village and Lower East Side have always been colorful pieces of New York City’s history. These walking tours will explore the architectural and cultural significance of these two vibrant neighborhoods, as well as the recent designation of two small historic districts and ongoing advocacy efforts to preserve their unique character.
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Sunset Park Landmarks Committee, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
WALKING TOUR led by Joe Svehlak, historian
Saturday, July 13, 10:30AM
Elegantly-detailed rowhouses constructed for middle- and working-class families at the turn of the 20th century line the streets of Sunset Park, one of New York City’s largest National Register Historic Districts. The neighborhood also boasts a number of impressive religious and institutional buildings. Please join us as we explore and examine the neighborhood’s many layers of historical and architectural significance.
For more information about the tours click here
For information about the 2013 STC click here
For information about the STC program click here
Six To Celebrate group Preservation Greenpoint– Book Talk and Tour:
Date: Sunday June 9th
Time: 4-5pm
Location: Word Book Store- 126 Franklin Street, Brooklyn 11222
Historian Alec Cumming discusses Brooklyn’s contribution to the city’s radio history, from the many Yiddish stations of the ’30s and ’40s to Radio Soleil’s work in the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, followed by a guided trip over to the historic radio site at Transmitter Park. Cosponsored by Preservation Greenpoint, which works to preserve the architectural integrity and character of our neighborhood.
Facebook RSVP encouraged, but not required.
For more information about Transmitter Park read Matthew Coodys article: Forgotten Greenpoint: WNYC Transmitter on the East River
Six to Celebrate is generously supported by The New York Community Trust. Support for the Six to Celebrate Tours and walking tour brochures is provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Additional support is provided by Councilmembers Margaret Chin, Inez Dickens, Vincent Gentile, Daniel Garodnick, Stephen Levin and Rosie Mendez.
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If you’re receiving this, then you know that HDC is working hard throughout the city to protect and preserve the neighborhoods which make New York great. Please consider contributing and becoming part of the movement to preserve our city’s irreplaceable architecture and history. There are a lot of buildings to cover, and we can only do it with a lot of people.
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