New-York Historical Society

An intriguing series of advertising cabinet cards have piqued the curiosity of staff and researchers ever since they were given to the New-York Historical Society by Mrs. Elihu Spicer in 1960. Unidentified Merchant. Mrs. G.M. Bown, Photographer (Subject File, PR068). Both the images and their maker are unusual. The photographs, which appear to have been…

Geraldine Ferraro, who in 1984 became the first woman Vice-Presidential candidate on a major party ticket, is rightly being heralded as a political trailblazer in the wake of her death this week. More than a century before Ferraro, however – indeed, almost 50 years before American women even had the right to vote – another…

Admittedly that would make much more sense to pre-1752 New Yorkers. Until then England and its colonies still used the Julian calendar, by which the New Year began on March 25th, rather than January 1st. “The Orrery”, The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure, 1749. Because the formula used by the Julian calendar did not…

Next Friday, March 25th, is the 100th anniversary of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. The deadly fire prompted the creation of new fire safety and building codes and galvanized the labor movement. For a full list of events around the city and the nation related to the memory of the fire and the women…

As we watch events unfolding in Libya, and still hear regular news of Somali piracy, it seems like a good opportunity to have a look back at America’s historic relationship with North Africa. From the earliest days of the United States, the Barbary States represented a thorn in the sides of American government and commerce….

In honor of Women’s History month, we want to highlight materials that focus on women in New York City history. The Alexander Papers at the New-York Historical Society contain the records of the mercantile business of Mary Alexander and provide a glimpse into the life of a colonial NYC businesswoman. Fabric samples sent by Mary…

“One of the smallest and least known national groups in this country is a group of Black Jews. In New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and other cities, and in some of the West India Islands as well, they congregate in little synagogues, strictly adhering to the faith of their forefathers.” So wrote photographer and historian Alexander…

Lately the words “Black Swan” are more closely associated with Hollywood, but those familiar with the history of performing arts in New York City might know them in reference to Elizabeth T. Greenfield and her memorable performance at Metropolitan Hall in 1853. Metropolitan Hall, Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, June 1882. Greenfield was born a slave…

The position of African-Americans during the American Revolution was complicated by the incongruous conceptions of freedom held by American colonists. Fears about what arming African-Americans and promises of freedom might do to the institution of slavery meant limited interest in attracting blacks to actively contribute to the cause. This reticence gave ample opportunity to the…