Categories
Neighborhoods

H.P Lovecraft’s very bizarre hatred of Red Hook and Brooklyn Heights

Howard Philip Lovecraft — aka H.P. Lovecraft — was born 130 years ago this week (on August 20, 1890) in Providence, Rhode Island.   The pulp-fiction storyteller, known for claustrophobic tales of the occult, lived for a time in Brooklyn. He did not enjoy it. In 1924, he moved to  259 Parkside Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, close to Ebbets Field and Prospect Park.… Read More

Categories
Podcasts The Jazz Age

The Tale of Tillie Hart, the Holdout of London Terrace

EPISODE 314 — London Terrace, an English-inspired apartment complex, is a jewel of apartment living in the neighborhood of Chelsea. In 1929, a set of unusual townhouses — also named London Terrace — were demolished to construct this spectacular set of buildings. That is, all townhouses but one — the home of Mrs. Tillie Hart,… Read More

Categories
Food History Podcasts

Just Desserts: The origins of New York cheesecake, cannoli and other glorious sweet things

EPISODE 306 Recorded live at the WNYC Greene Space In this special episode, the Bowery Boys podcast focuses on the delicious treats that add to the New York experience. These aren’t just the famous foods that have been made in New York, but the unique desserts that make the city what it is today. The origins of some of these… Read More

Categories
Neighborhoods Podcasts

Secret Places of Upper Manhattan: Visit these 20 historic sites in Washington Heights and Inwood

PODCAST A tour of historic sites in Washington Heights and Inwood, an unusual set of landmarks and curious destinations that comprise almost 400 years of Upper Manhattan history. In Washington Heights and Inwood, the two Manhattan neighborhoods above West 155th Street, the New York grid plan begins to become irrelevant, with avenues and streets preferring to conform to northern Manhattan’s more… Read More

Categories
Bowery Boys Bookshelf Wartime New York

Nazis in New York Harbor: In ‘The Agitator’, a wayward sailor leads an anti-fascist resistance

Oh what a glamorous party! Those ‘midnight sailing parties’ along the Hudson River piers, partygoers boarding luxury ocean liners as the sun set, drinking and dining with passengers before the ship set sail for destinations abroad. One hot summer evening of 1935, the crew of the SS Bremen welcomed almost 5,000 non-passengers aboard the jewel of the German ocean… Read More

Categories
Bowery Boys Events

The Bowery Boys are hosting an awards show — the 5th Annual GANYC Apple Awards (March 4)

The GANYC Apple Awards, given out by the Guides Association of New York City, celebrate the best in New York City culture, tourism and preservation. The Bowery Boys podcast has been deeply honored with two GANYC Apple Awards in the past — for Outstanding Achievement in Radio Program or Podcast (Audio/Spoken Word) and for Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction NYC Book… Read More

Categories
Holidays

Two holiday excerpts from the Bowery Boys’ book Adventures In Old New York

If you’re looking for some last many gifts for loved ones this year, may we suggest our book The Bowery Boys’ Adventures In Old New York? Find it in bookstores or order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your independent bookstore. Here are a couple holiday-themed excerpts from the book, situated alongside hundreds of… Read More

Categories
Mysterious Stories Podcasts

The Ghosts of Greenwich Village: Four tales of haunted houses and forgotten graveyards

For this year’s annual Bowery Boys Halloween ghost stories podcast, we cautiously approach the dark secrets of Greenwich Village, best known for bohemians, shady and winding streets and a deeply unexpected history. You will never look at its parks and townhouses again after this show! The stories featured on this year’s show: — The hidden… Read More

Categories
Writers and Artists

A Tribute to Sam Shepard, Pioneer of New York’s Off-Broadway stage

The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and actor Sam Shepard,  who passed away today at age 73, is remembered for many classic film roles and triumphant plays which embodied a gritty American aesthetic. But he was also a pivotal contributor to the development of Off and Off-Off Broadway theater in New York City during the 1960s and… Read More

Categories
Preservation

The 2017 GANYC Apple Award Winners including Nathan’s, Governors Island and us (!)

The 2017 GANYC Apple Awards, recognizing achievements in New York City tourism, culture and preservation, were held last night at the SVA Theater in Chelsea.  It was quite a bawdy, rambunctious evening thanks to the host, cabaret star Mark Nadler, and a friendly, diverse line-up of presenters. We were absolutely shocked to be honored last… Read More

Categories
Bowery Boys

Where To Find The Bowery Boys This Week: Twin Peaks, GANYC, Atlas Obscura

Wait, what, the Bowery Boys are in Twin Peaks? Well, only Greg is. He’s a guest on this week’s DAMN FINE PODCAST, hosted by Tom Merritt and Ron Richards, a celebration of the TV show Twin Peaks as it gears up for a new season on Showtime in May. (The name is a reference to… Read More

Categories
Preservation

Presenting The 3rd Annual GANYC Apple Awards Nominees

The Guides Association of New York City (or GANYC), founded in 1974, brings together the finest independent, professional tour guides in the city.  And since 2015 they have presented awards to the community, “honoring individuals and organizations that encourage and promote New York City tourism, culture and preservation while supporting the work and contributions of… Read More

Categories
Christmas

Holiday Trivia From the Bowery Boys’ book Adventures In Old New York

Looking for an easy gift idea this holiday season? Our book The Bowery Boys Adventures In Old New York would make a pretty amazing present for the holidays. Give it to loved ones who like history or New York City or to those who simply enjoy books with lots and lots of old pictures. (We lost count at… Read More

Categories
Pop Culture

Finding Magic In Old New York: The historic places of ‘Fantastic Beasts’

The article below contains spoilers involving locations used in the movie, but no specific plot spoilers that aren’t already revealed in the trailer. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, strictly a fantasy film of course, from the vivid mind of J.K. Rowling, is nonetheless the year’s best historical depiction of New York City.  This indulgence of… Read More

Categories
Museums

Saturday is Free Museum Day! A list of NYC’s participating museums

The Smithsonian Magazine-sponsored Museum Day Live!, this Saturday, September 24, provides you with an excellent reason to finally visit that local museum you’ve always wanted to go to or to go catch that exhibit that all your friends have been talking about. This is a national event and includes a great many museums, well beyond those operated… Read More