THE GANYC E-NEWS BLAST
 

Time to light up the Christmas spirit by again joining Queen Santa for a holiday tour of the magical mosaic of Rockefeller Center and the world famous 87th-annual Christmas tree!

As you may know, the New York Times reported that this "elf's tours are whimsical and informative, part personality, part history". Learn about the donor of this spectacular tree, who nurtured this sapling for many years, which is 77 feet high and is topped with the brilliant Swarovski star. This will lift your spirits as will the dazzling sound and light show across the street at Saks 5th Avenue, which has "Frozen"-themed windows this year.

The elf will bring you up-to-date on the latest developments and festivities at Rockefeller Center and the neighborhood, together with the history of Gothamtide traditions. "Gothamtide" is a word our elf created to show the commonalities of the diverse secular, universal and vernacular aspects from different countries and beliefs.

For the lady in red, it is always gratifying leading another hohoho tour!
 

Did you know that the Waldorf-Astoria had an amnesty program to recover pilfered souvenirs or that Muppets Waldorf and Statler represent two very different approaches to the hotel business? Learn how New York hotels have been at the forefront of technological and social innovations, adapting and changing through the Gilded Age, Prohibition, and beyond. On this mostly outdoor walking tour (approx. 1.5 miles), we'll start across from the Plaza and wind our way past the Roosevelt to end near Grand Central. 

Along the way, hear fascinating stories about the Peninsula, St. Regis, Elysee, Palace, Lexington Hotel, and more. Gossip Girl and Mad Men fans will see familiar sites. In addition to tales of feuding Astors, liquor license squabbles, Tallulah Bankhead, the Queen of Mean and a bathtub lion, we'll also dive into how hotels paved the way for apartment dwelling as Manhattan real estate spiraled ever higher.
 

Whenever possible we will keep off the streets as we learn about the continuing struggle to keep downtown Manhattan connected to its multi-layered history during this time of redevelopment. Above ground, we'll view sites connected with preservation gains and losses, including the nation's first memorial, and New York's first Roman Catholic parish. Hear the intriguing story of "Ike and Mike", a missing piece of artwork. Underground, walking various subway passages, we'll see major Arts for Transit projects that highlight the area's diverse history, such as Trade, Treasure, and Travel by Margie Hughto, re-installed in the Cortlandt Street underpass. We'll walk through the new PATH transit hub and the Dey Street passage on our way to the Fulton Transit Center complex with its ornate landmarked Corbin Building, original subway tiles, and the re-installed Marine Grill murals by Frederick Dana Marsh depicting the history of shipping in New York harbor.  
 

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest house in Manhattan with a fascinating story to tell. Constructed in 1765 by a retired British Colonel, Roger Morris, and his wealthy American wife, Mary Phillipse, the house became George Washington’s headquarters for five weeks in September 1776. French merchant, Stephen Jumel, and his American wife, Eliza, bought the house in 1810 and restored it in a Second Empire style. The 250+ year history of the house includes stories about Mary Phillipse, New York’s “it girl” in the 1750s, George Washington and his first cabinet, Hessians, a rags-to-riches story, Aaron Burr, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and much more. Join Alan Cohen, who is a docent at the Mansion, for a 90-minute tour including both the outside of the Mansion and three floors on the interior. GANYC members will also be greeted by the Mansion’s Director of Visitor Services.  

Grand Central Terminal is 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.

Come join GANYC members on a 2-hour walking tour leading up to the celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year (the Year of the Rat), as we explore the area in and around NYC's oldest Chinatown. We'll uncover how various cultures and communities have shaped one of the top tourist destinations in the Big Apple by discussing the physical geography of the neighborhood, urban planning, and U.S. immigration policies along the route. Participants will discover how and why Chinese-Americans came to inhabit the area known as Chinatown and how residents celebrate the Lunar New Year. Beginning at Foley Square, we'll look closely at the architecture, public art, and commercial establishments of the neighborhood to uncover the legacy of not only Chinese culture on NYC but African, Egyptian, Irish, Italian, and Jewish cultural legacies as well.

In the "post-modernist era", NYC planning principles encouraged innovative new public spaces to be maintained by private entities. These new spaces typically offer shelter and shortcuts and add to the connections already provided by transit, stores, and hotels. These walks, particularly when offered in cold weather months, beat winter by connecting public atriums,  passageways, building lobbies, and walkways that reveal a more intimate side of Midtown.
 

Join CPA Bill Caldwell for a PDP (professional development program) on the best taxes and accounting practices for those in the tour guide profession. This PDP will ensure that you approach tax season with the best information possible. This PDP is open to all licensed NYC guides, even non-members!

Guides have many questions about how to manage their finances. Get your answers at this PDP! The duration of the PDP will be 60-90 minutes, followed by a 20-30 minute Q&A.

Cost will be $10 for members; $15 for non-members.
 

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest house in Manhattan with a fascinating story to tell. Constructed in 1765 by a retired British Colonel, Roger Morris, and his wealthy American wife, Mary Phillipse, the house became George Washington’s headquarters for five weeks in September 1776. French merchant, Stephen Jumel, and his American wife, Eliza, bought the house in 1810 and restored it in a Second Empire style. The 250+ year history of the house includes stories about Mary Phillipse, New York’s “it girl” in the 1750s, George Washington and his first cabinet, Hessians, a rags-to-riches story, Aaron Burr, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and much more. Join Alan Cohen, who is a docent at the Mansion, for a 90-minute tour including both the outside of the Mansion and three floors on the interior. GANYC members will also be greeted by the Mansion’s Director of Visitor Services.  

Constructed in a once squalid area of the city known as the "Tenderloin", Penn Station united rails and tunnels from Long Island, New Jersey, and points south that previously terminated on the other side of the East River or Hudson. We'll walk through the remnants of the neighborhood's past and discuss its proposed future. Includes navigating through transportation connectivity inside the station and the Pennsylvania Hotel and the New Yorker Hotel built with proximity to the station. We will also visit the Farley Post Office Building (planned as the new Amtrak station), explore links to department stores, Herald and Greeley Squares, and Koreatown.
 

Join Green-Wood Cemetery's Allison C. Meier for a wonderful fam tour.

There is a secret language at Green-Wood that's etched upon the monuments: cemetery symbology. Learn the meaning of the inverted torch, bales of wheat, and an hourglass with wings, along with those that are a bit more difficult to decipher. This eye-opening walking tour will showcase the meaning of these eternal, but sometimes cryptic, images.

Afterwards, Joe Svehlak will lead an hour informal walk for those who would like to join him.