This is somewhat of a shameless plug for an upcoming event that I helped organize. It's a bicentennial, complete with a mini historical reenactment of sorts. Should be fun. My Berkeley roots, and Jr. High goth history are both evident in the cast of characters (Karl Marx and Edgar Allen Poe make appearances). I'll be there too, most likely without the black lipstick and communist flag.
Anyway, here is the post and event info. It also appears in the Bryant Park blog.
Local historians might be aware that Horace Greeley -- newspaper publisher, abolitionist, and presidential candidate (he lost to Ulysses S. Grant) – turns 200 this Thursday, February 3rd. Greeley is the namesake of Greeley Square Park in the heart of the 34th Street District, a few blocks south of Bryant Park. What's his connection to Bryant Park? In 1851, while traveling in London, Greeley attended, and was blown away by, the Great Exhibit of 1851, housed in the Crystal Palace at Hyde Park. Amazed by the breadth and content of the work, when he returned to the states, he met with friend, entertainer, and promoter P.T. Barnum and New York City officials to form a committee to bring a similar exhibition to the City.
Anyway, here is the post and event info. It also appears in the Bryant Park blog.
Local historians might be aware that Horace Greeley -- newspaper publisher, abolitionist, and presidential candidate (he lost to Ulysses S. Grant) – turns 200 this Thursday, February 3rd. Greeley is the namesake of Greeley Square Park in the heart of the 34th Street District, a few blocks south of Bryant Park. What's his connection to Bryant Park? In 1851, while traveling in London, Greeley attended, and was blown away by, the Great Exhibit of 1851, housed in the Crystal Palace at Hyde Park. Amazed by the breadth and content of the work, when he returned to the states, he met with friend, entertainer, and promoter P.T. Barnum and New York City officials to form a committee to bring a similar exhibition to the City.
The Crystal Palace, also known as the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, was situated next to the Croton Reservoir (now the location of the New York Public Library), where Bryant Park is today. You can read more about the Crystal Palace and the Croton Reservoir, here.
Interior of the NYC Crystal Palace exhibit, opened on July 14, 1853 |
This special celebration begins at 11:00am and is free and open to the public. Hot chocolate will be provided by ’wichcraft.
Event: Happy 200th Birthday Horace GreeleyDate: February 3, 2011
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Greeley Square Park (Between 32nd and 33rd Streets; Broadway and 6th Avenue)