New-York Historical Society

Just in time for the 72nd anniversary of New York’s 1939 World’s Fair — which opened on April 30th, 1939 — the New-York Historical Society has received an extensive collection of photographs and other memorabilia documenting this momentous event. President Roosevelt’s official dedication at the Fair’s opening ceremonies. Although Paul Gillespie was only 12 years…

The variability and just plain depressing weather of late here in New York is probably trying everyone’s patience. But, after all it is Earth Day, so we should give Mother Nature a break, especially since we can always rely on her to give us our May flowers. That was somewhat true in Williamsburg, VA as…

The camera, that is: Western Barracks and Parade, Fort Sumter, April 15, 1861 (Civil War Photograph File, PR 164) Southern photographers took very few of the thousands of photographs that document the Civil War, especially as the war dragged on and union blockades cut off Southern access to the necessary photographic supplies. However, with the…

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…