Historic Preservation Archives

Step Into The 1776 Battle of Brooklyn as Part of Battle Week at Green-Wood Cemetery

1776 Battle of Brooklyn, Green-Wood Cemetery, Historic Preservation

British troops firing a volley in Green-Wood’s Meadow. Commemorating The Battle of Brooklyn in 1776. Image credit: The Green-Wood Cemetery Historian Blog.

On Sunday, August 27th, from 11am to 3pm, visitors of all ages can step back to the revolutionary era through Green-Wood’s commemoration of the Battle of Brooklyn. The battle, which was the largest of the entire war, was fought in August, 1776 on land where The Green-Wood Cemetery now stands. This year’s family-friendly, immersive experience will shed light on the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of those who fought for freedom. This program is part of Battle Week organized by our partners, the Old Stone House.

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NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Voted to Designate Two Historic Districts in Cambria Heights, Queens

Historic District, Historic Preservation, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, Queens

On Tuesday, June 28, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated the Cambria Heights-222nd Street Historic District and Cambria Heights-227th Historic District in Queens. With their Tudor and Storybook-style design, the historic districts’ row houses are among the architectural highlights of the Cambria Heights neighborhood and southeastern Queens.

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Stepping Back in Time ~ The Historic Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue, NYC

Architecture, Historic Preservation, Waldorf Astoria

One of the Golden Ages most prestigious hotels was the Waldorf Astoria. It held galas and balls, was home to the rich and famous, and was the site of historic announcements and events. The exterior and interior of the Waldorf were designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as official landmarks.

This historic treasure was purchased by a Chinese company for $1.95 billion in 2014, and the hotel was closed for three-years while extensive renovation took place, converting some of the rooms into condos. Now, Galerie Magazine gives us a glimpse inside the renovated Towers.

Take a look inside Here

With several of the Waldorf’s hotel interiors protected, below is a look inside, before the acquisition by Anbang Insurance Group of China.

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A Summertime Visit to Harlem’s Historic Astor Row

Architecture, Harlem, Harlem Historic District, Historic Preservation

One of the most enchanting streets in Harlem is a row of 28 houses on the south side of West 130th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues known as Astor Row. Let’s take a stroll back in time.

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Historic Manida Street in the Bronx now a Landmarked Historic District

Bronx, Historic District, Historic Preservation

On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to designate Manida Street in Hunts Point a Historic District. Below is a brief history of this beautiful street.

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Historic House Trust of New York Lecture Series on October 3rd

Historic Preservation

The latest in the Historic House Trust of New York City (HHT) Lecture Series will take place on Thursday, October 3 from 6:00 to 7:30pm, located at King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, Screening Room/Auditorium, first Floor, 113 at 53 Washington Square South, NYC.

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Historic House Trust of NYC Launches Initiative to Enhance Accessibility at 23 Historic Sites

Historic Preservation, New York City, NYC Parks Department

The New York Community Trust has awarded the Historic House Trust of New York City (HHT) $339,000 to improve physical and intellectual access to public house museums in ways that are beneficial to people living with disabilities. This project—led by a team specializing in ADA compliance within historically-significant environments, and with experience creating innovative accessibility programs—will position HHT and its 23 historic sites at the forefront of such initiatives across the nation.

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NYC Parks + Green-Wood Experts to Preserve Old Gravesend Cemetery

Brooklyn, Gravesend, Historic Preservation, NYC Parks Department

Image via findagrave.com added by BKGeni 2008

NYC Parks Citywide Monuments Conservation Program (CMCP) conservators and summer apprentices, collaborating with Green-Wood Cemetery experts, will be resetting and restoring weathered and toppled gravestones at Old Gravesend Cemetery,

Check NYC Parks website for free tours of this site. Next up, Sunday, October 17th, 2021 from 11am to 1:00pm by Urban Park Rangers.

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Visiting the Reconstructed Harlem Fire Watchtower in Marcus Garvey Park

Architecture, East Harlem, Harlem, Harlem Fire Watchtower, Historic Preservation, Marcus Garvey Park

Image taken October 18, 2019, courtesy of a reader

A pop-up visit by Urban Park Rangers visiting the historic Harlem Fire Watchtower prior to resuming tours. Image courtesy Connie Lee, President, Marcus Garvey Park Alliance; Director, Public Art Initiative; Curator, Living With Art Salon, spending some time with the Urban Park Rangers today.

Harlemites and preservationists were delighted to receive the recent news that the historic Harlem Fire Watchtower, removed from the Acropolis overlooking Marcus Garvey Park in 2015 for restoration, would have its unveiling and ribbon-cutting on October 26, 2019. Prior to COVID-19, the Urban Park Rangers opened the gate and escorted the public up to the top of the Watchtower, giving the public a bit of history and a spectacular view.

The Urban Park Rangers will open the Fire Watchtower for visitors who want to climb to the top (or even just to ring the bell). Check NYC Parks Dept for dates.

Below, a few images and history of the Watchtower as it was dissembled in 2015, and reassembled in 2019.

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