The Bowery Boys: New York City History
Irving Place is the remarkably pretty street that travels from the south side of Gramercy Park to the less charming ruckus of 14th Street. Â It was named for the great writer Washington Irving during his lifetime by developer Samuel Ruggles. Â The house at East 17th Street and Irving Place purports to be the former home… Read More
A little bit Jetsons, a little bit Gladiator, a little bit P.T Barnum. Photo/Marco Catini PODCAST The ruins of the New York State Pavilion, highlight of the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, have become a kind of unofficial Statue of Liberty of Queens, greeting people as they head to and from LaGuardia… Read More
The World’s Fair of 1964-65 at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was a major American event forward-looking in its intent and, in many ways, backwards in its practice. In particular, Robert Moses did not care for cheap carnival amusements, nor did he care for music or art that was particular edgy or controversial. Moses’ tastes ruled supreme… Read More
The World’s Fair of 1964-65 at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was a major American event forward-looking in its intent and, in many ways, backwards in its practice. Â In particular, Robert Moses did not care for cheap carnival amusements, nor did he care for music or art that was particular edgy or controversial. Moses’ tastes ruled supreme… Read More
Many cities have turned the sites of World’s Fairs into public places that have endured through the decades. Chicago’s Jackson Park and the Midway were greatly upgraded after their use in the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The odd-looking Sunsphere, a highlight of the Knoxville World’s Fair in 1982, is now the city’s most recognizable monument.… Read More
The New York State Pavilion in its prime. (NYPL) The New York Mets owe much to Robert Moses and the World’s Fair of 1964-65. The fledgling baseball team was still playing at the decrepit old Polo Grounds when plans were hatched for their new home out in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, named for their primary benefactor William… Read More
. The second oldest manmade object in New York City — outside, that is, not in a museum or private collection — is a solitary little Roman column built in 120 AD for the Temple of Artemis in the ancient city of Jerash. It once stood among a chorus of ‘whispering columns’, creating an effect… Read More
Certainly Robert Moses expected there to be a few little problems to arise at the opening of the 1964 World’s Fair on April 22, 1964. And for the most part, the most popular attractions launched without a hitch. But a host of bad press on opening day and a litter of minor issues created a… Read More
The World’s Fair of 1964-65 opened fifty years ago today! We visited this unusual New York mega-event on the podcast a few years ago. Give this show a listen to get a good introduction to our city’s strangest celebration of the future. You can listen to it here or download it from the Bowery Boys… Read More