New-York Historical Society

“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…

In honor of Black history month, we thought we would take a look at some items from the library collections spanning the first four centuries of African-American history in New York; and where better to start than the beginning (just about)! Conveyance of Judith Stuyvesant to Frans Bastiaensz, 24 September 1674. (BY NYC Deeds, MS…

Dreaming of warmer climes? All this snow has us wondering . . . where did 19th century New Yorkers travel to escape the winter blahs? For those that could afford it, the Ward Line of steamships offered runs to Nassau, Cuba and Mexico, as advertised in this circa 1890’s brochure: Within 36 hours of leaving…

That is especially true in this lighthearted note (discovered by our volunteer Carol while re-housing the collection) from Ashcan School painter and printmaker John Sloan, to art collector, critic and patron Albert Eugene Gallatin. It seems his words of apology just could not do justice to his predicament. So, to illustrate the situation, Sloan adds…

Post written by Timothy Wroten, N-YHS Communications The Historical Society is holding a prize contest through January 31, 2011 for contemporary photographs of Times Square to help us document the ever-changing neighborhood. Everyone from the serious to the amateur photographer is invited to contribute; the first-prize winner receives $500 and all contestants get the chance…

Snowbanks on Madison Avenue Since the blizzard has been quite the topic of conversation lately, we thought it might be a good opportunity to take a look back at New York’s legendary Blizzard of 1888. On March 12, twenty-one inches of snow fell in just under twenty-four hours which was exacerbated by gusts upwards of…

In the Society’s manuscript collections is a cache of letters sent by former sign-painter, Pvt. Salvatore Cillis of the 306th Field Artillery from Camp Upton, Long Island and France. Written between 1917 and 1918, Cillis’ good-natured, humorous observations are complemented by several pen and ink and watercolor sketches enlightening his former co-workers about camp life….