Skip to main content

For the Preservation of New York's History: “New York’s Historical Society Museum & Library”












One picture started it all. Sadly it is not a picture I can show you here, but I still see it in my mind’s eye. It is of a lone standing house (the oldest in Brooklyn), on a vacant lot, from the 1800s, it is two stories, and has held up pretty good for its age. The neighborhood is becoming pretty trendy around it (Caroll Gardens) but there it sits as a reminder of what was. I hear they are trying to tear it down and build a Whole Foods but that hasn’t worked out so far thankfully.

When I laid my eyes this photo in Time Out magazine advertising the exhibit at the New York Historical Society Museum and Library, it was so familiar yet something I could not place. I had to look it up to realize that it was a location I had passed hundreds of times and has looked the same for many, many years. The power of that simple picture sent me onto explore a new location that I was always destined to visit. It was amazing I had not been there before.

I had been meaning to come for months strategically planning the perfect date to overlap all of the exhibits I wanted to see at once. This was like playing twister in my mind. I had to actually make a list, writing down a cheat sheet of what I wanted to see, when they were opening, and closing so that I could visually see when I should go. It pretty much boiled down to one specific date in late February.

Upon arriving I am stunned that I have walked past this place and never noticed it. That is how focused I am when I am going someplace. Whatever my past destination that was what I was doing and everything else was out the window. Most notably The American Museum of Natural History- it is across the street!!! I was just there last year (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/06/for-all-things-natural-and-historic.html).



Once I had gotten over my excitement over the neighborhood and enjoying what a beautiful day it was, the first in such a long time, I knew spring was coming soon and I was ready to move on. I love that kind of weather it makes you hopeful and eager to see what adventures await you (to see what await me check back tomorrow). As I crossed the street I was greeted by an amazing statute of Frederick Douglas.

Naturally I stood in the street trying to obtain the perfect photo without any passerby’s in my way. Just after I got my wish, a patron that was leaving the facility had the nerve to ask if I knew who I was taking a photo of and why he was there. I had to ground myself from smacking an old man on an otherwise perfect Friday afternoon. Plus you know there were other witnesses on the street. I just replied “of course but thanks for the history lesson”. I am afraid that is the best I could do.

Now since I am not as rude as some people I will explain why Mr. Douglass is at one entrance and our former sixteenth President, Mr. Abraham Lincoln stands guard at the main entrance.

In 2011 the Society was reopening after a major renovation and wanted to find figures that represented all that would be included in the education, representation, and artwork that would be presented in all future exhibits. That also included unpleasant parts of our past such as slavery. Mr. Douglass obtained his freedom in N.Y.C. in 1838. What is even greater is that these two men, who knew in each in life, now remain together in the afterlife.

All totaled the Society has four enormous floors filled to the brim with more objects varied in topic, range, and scope than you can fathom.

The hot new exhibit was the World War II and N.Y.C. on the first floor.  That was the big draw. But before I could make my way back there I was stopped in my tracks. I was first attracted by the statue of the original Iwo Jima flag raisers. It is a story I am drawn to and continue to marvel at like the rest of the word. (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011/07/for-true-story-part-iv-books.html
This model is among my favorites things here.


Next on the list was the hall filled with artwork and relics from the Revolutionary War and time period. I am always a sucker for that. I cannot believe we have anything left from that era and it gives me goose bumps.

On the opposite side of the wall was much of the same but the theme was much closer to home. These were keepsakes from September 11, 2001. Just looking at the pictures and images brings it all flooding back. After a few minutes of that I had to move on.

Around the corner I stumbled on a treat. Near an elevator and without any prominent placing (like it deserves) was one of the original copies of one of my favorite documents of all time- the Emancipation Proclamation!! Now this is my second time seeing it in a span of less than a year. (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/10/for-first-step-to-freedom-abraham.html)



That must mean something. I could stare at it forever. I am so in awe of it and that it is there for me to revere and that only a piece of glass separate me and Abraham Lincoln’s signature. Another great reason he should be outside.

Among my list of must see exhibits were definitely the one with a new take on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The artist went around the country and composed many works of art based on all of the images he found on the late civil rights activist. It was so unlike anything I have ever seen depicting Dr. King. However I think it was too much for my taste. The bright colors and paintings that popped out with their imagery reminded me of Andy Warhol’s work, not because of their appearance but with their boldness.

Second to last I went to see the photography exhibit containing New York City landmarks. This again was a main reason I was here. This is where the photograph I mentioned at the very beginning of this post would be. While I enjoyed each and every one, I did find myself racing through to find the one that had started it all. Of course it was dead last. As I caught my breath and began reviewing more careful the other pictures I had skimmed I had only one real thought: I could have taken most of these photos. That is not to boost my ego or to say that these were not great works. But they were black and white and mostly from reasonable recent times. I in fact have similar photos in my personal collection and with slightly better equipment and the right angle and transportation I could easily manage these shots.

As this journey began with one photo, this visit too ends with one very distinct visual in my mind. I can’t help but be overcome with that looming, overbearing, shocking, yet grand storage-ish top floor. That first step out of the elevator had me talking out loud, admittedly I thought to myself until I saw the security guard looking at me like I was insane with disbelief. It still captivates my mind conjuring up what an attic in an old mansion would look like if you had been collecting trinkets of all types over the course of a lifetime.  It was a creepy yet awesome experience being around glass cases, some filled with such large treasures like antique furniture and instruments while just down the corridor there were items as toy trains and jewelry.

After having explored this museum from bottom to top, my job here was complete, well at least until I told you about it. I was satisfied at having finally been able to cross this off my to-do list. I have gone to historical societies in other cities and found it shameful I had not seen my own. It is always the irony of travelers I suppose. That we don’t stop to appreciate the immense beauty in our own back yard that millions come here to see, as we are breaking our necks to go out into the great beyond.

Historical societies are so interesting to me because they capture the knowledge, tradition, and local grandeur of place no matter how big or small. It is preserving it for you and waiting there until you are ready to see it. It is passed on from one generation from the next and many new things are being added all the time. One of the best qualities is that you don’t have to worry about traveling very far to have an experience like I did. Just about every city, town, and suburb has a historic society with its own treasure-troves. Preservation is so important because as we all know “if we do not learn from history we are destined to repeat it”. It is also a great way to connect with our ancestors and the places we call home.

For more information on those chosen to adorn the outside of the historical society:


For more information on these exhibits:













Comments

Popular posts from this blog

For Find Out Friday - Why Do Emery Boards Make My Skin Crawl?

You know that sound a fingernail makes when it scratches against a chalkboard?  You know that feeling the sound of that action gives you? I, like most people, hate that sound.  I instantly feel like scrunching my shoulders up to my neck and closing my eyes.  I feel the exact same way when I am using an emery board to file my nails. This annoying sensation has a name: “grima” which is Spanish for disgust or uneasiness. This term basically describes any feeling of being displeased, annoyed, or dissatisfied someone or something.  It is a feeling that psychologists are starting to pay more attention to as it relates to our other emotions.  Emery boards are traditionally made with cardboard that has small grains of sand adhered to them. It is the sandpaper that I believe makes me filled with grima.  According to studies that are being done around the world, it is not just the feeling that we associate with certain things like nails on a chalkboard or by using emery boards

For My Madness During Migraine Awareness Month

Last weekend as I sat staring at the blank page in front of me, I was still surprised and elated that I had an entire day to myself and unlike past experiences it was filled with what I wanted when I wanted it. There were a few rough moments but when I consider the previous twelve hours (and the days to come) have been better than the last week. Especially this last week even though I had braced myself ahead of time, I just didn’t know I should have braced for a more serious episode. I am a chronic migraine sufferer for so many years I don’t quite remember when they started exactly which is ironic because I can remember every special event they have ruined. I remember plays or dinners I was at where I don’t remember what happened but I could tell you what I felt minute by minute. It amazing how the mind works, especially when it’s operated by a migraine brain. In the last few years, specifically the last few years since I have been going to the Montefiore Headac

For Find Out Friday - Why is One Foot More Ticklish Than the Other?

As I sit here typing I can’t seem to stop thinking about my nails. Mainly that they REALLY need to get done. They are starting to chip and become unruly. As soon I as think about making an appointment my mind immediately returns to this question: “which of my feet will be ticklish this time?” Because I am a girl that needs her fingernails and toenails to match, I always get a pedicure whenever I get my nails done. And while this should be an activity I enjoy, it often feels like a chore, despite my going only once every three to four weeks. I know; #firstworldproblems.  Anyway, each and every time I get my toes done, as soon as they are done soaking in the bubbly water I wonder, which of my feet will be ticklish today?  Without fail one of them always seems to get the brunt of it and suddenly what was supposed to be a relaxing activity has made me all tense. So, is there a scientific reason for this?  According to most research, yes. While the answer doesn’t