THE GANYC E-NEWS BLAST
 

What’s left of old Dutch New York? Where were the windmills, the canals, the  first church, and the fort? Where did the girls go to do the laundry, and where did the boys go to graze the cattle?

In conjunction with the Dutch Days celebration, join Joe Svehlak for a look at New York’s Dutch roots in Downtown Manhattan over four centuries ago. Walking downtown’s old streets and the original shoreline, we’ll learn about our Dutch legacy of commerce and tolerance. Hear about the diverse immigrant population, the problems they faced, and the part they played in the foundation of our democratic society. 
 

Join Bruce Bernstein on November 7 for a relatively fast-paced, fun, and energetic 3-4 mile hiking tour to unlock some of the secrets of northern Central Park.

We'll visit Conservatory Gardens, the Ravine, Huddlestone Arch, the site of some old forts and an archeological dig, the Great Hill, and more! Please wear comfortable shoes. There will be a few ups and downs, though not that steep, on our adventure!
 

We will visit two of Harlem's most elegant historic districts. Named for Alexander Hamilton, whose country house (the Hamilton Grange) still sits on a hill by City College, Hamilton Heights contain some of New York's finest Victorian townhouses and churches in a variety of architectural styles. The streets of Strivers Row has townhouses in a more formal classical style, but with unusual back alleys.

Hear about Harlem's rich diverse history and people as we explore these historic districts.
 

Visit Dorothy Parker's neighborhood and walk in her footsteps to her former apartments, haunts, school and more. See one of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods through the eyes of a young Dorothy Parker. Learn about the history of the Upper West Side, its architecture and development, all tied into the life of Mrs. Parker. See more than a dozen locations tied to Mrs. Parker, as well as scores of local landmarks, architectural gems and historic sites.

The tour is by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, author of five books about Dorothy Parker and the Algonquin Round Table, and is the President and founder of the Dorothy Parker Society (dorothyparker.com).
 

The Mount Morris Park Historic District contains some of New York's finest streets of 19th-century brownstones, townhouses, civic buildings, and magnificent churches in a variety of grand architectural styles.

As we stroll the streets around Marcus Garvey Park, we'll discuss the rich history of Harlem from the Dutch settlement to becoming the center of African-American arts and culture.

See also 125th St, the commercial heart of Harlem, with its world famous Apollo Theater and other landmarks.
 

A festive Grand Central awaits us at the holiday season with the train show and the Holiday Market. It's at the top of list of Joe Svehlak's favorite places. For several years, he was one of the Municipal Art Society principal guides here on their free weekly walks before they switched to the current docent-led tours.

Take an in-depth tour of this iconic building as Joe shares insights gathered over the years about the art, the stone work, and the restoration. This can be a mutual learning experience about taking large groups in and around the Terminal as we revisit Grand Central's special places and share its secrets.

The tour should be fun and a learning experience since Grand Central is such a wonderful place on many levels: art, architecture, planning and preservation, and the history of railroading in NYC.
 

While most Bushwick street art tours focus on the busier "Collective", this tour takes you to a different area to discover a more raw and growing outdoor art scene amidst 19th century industrial buildings. Journey off the beaten path to see more of the beautiful and creative street art that NYC has to offer. As we stroll, your guide will discuss the history & evolution of graffiti art, and the many different types and sub-genres (tags, murals, stencils, wheatpaste, etc). You'll have ample opportunity to ask questions and take amazing photos of works by artists such as Icy & Sot, Jerkface, Don Rimx, Lister, Phetus, Danielle Mastrion, and many more!

This tour will end with a visit to a local gallery.