Thomas Nast takes down Tammany: A cartoonist’s crusade against a political boss
As the election cycle gets into full-swing, so do the pundits, journalists, and political cartoonists. While modern readers intrinsically link newspapers and political cartoons, the use of cartoons in the … Continue reading
Fulton Ferry and the Creation of New York’s First Suburb
Ferries have made a bit of a comeback lately with the East River Ferry, Governor’s Island Ferry, and even a ferry to Ikea in Brooklyn. The first ferry route between … Continue reading
Oysters: From Rags to Riches
Today, it’s hard to find an oyster for less than $2 a pop, but until the turn of the 20th century, oysters were so plentiful in New York, rich and … Continue reading
Saving the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse
April 16, 1912 was supposed to have been a joyous day for Seamen’s Church Institute. That evening, they were scheduled to celebrate laying the cornerstone of their new building at … Continue reading
South Street Seaport’s Library and Archive
Greetings from the South Street Seaport Museum’s library and archive! In October of last year the Museum of the City of New York assumed the operation of the South Street … Continue reading
Fitness Crazes of Yesteryear
Fitness crazes are nothing new to Americans, and the 19th century had its own fair share of extreme exercise routines. As lifestyles became more sedentary and health issues more numerous, … Continue reading
Belasco’s Ghost
New York is haunted by nature of its constant transformation. Neighborhoods change, leaving only small or hidden remnants of what they were; once thriving communities are slowly eclipsed by others. … Continue reading
23 Skidoo
Today crowds gather around the Flatiron Building to admire its architecture and place in New York history, but back in the early part of the 20th century, men gathered there … Continue reading
Doomed Dirigible Dock
The images in our collection don’t show dirigibles actually docking at the Empire State Building, because no dirigible successfully docked there. In fact, Christopher Grey in The New York Times … Continue reading
