Discovering NYC
@discovering.nyc
Writer, public historian & former tour NYC guide sharing the stories behind intriguing pieces of New York City history. Elsewhere @Discovering_NYC, writing at discovering.nyc
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Gratitude and Joy, Peace and Triumph: New York City’s Evacuation Day - Discovering NYC
In the wake of the Battle of Fort Washington in November 1776, the British firmly held onto York Island (Manhattan), and would continue to control the island for nearly seven years, well after the Bat...
discovering.nyc
Happy Evacuation Day! On this day in 1783, Washington and his men, including General Henry Knox and Governor George Clinton, took “happy repossession” of New York City after seven years of British occupation. The city celebrated in earnest for 10 days.
discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...
discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...
Scenes in Prospect Park, 1868. Some areas of the park were open, while others, such as the lake, were still under construction and would be for some time.
December 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Scenes in Prospect Park, 1868. Some areas of the park were open, while others, such as the lake, were still under construction and would be for some time.
Quick timeline cleanse: The view aside the old Park Row Terminal, c. 1900. It shows a Flatbush-bound trolley heading up to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, with a train heading into the terminal.
December 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Quick timeline cleanse: The view aside the old Park Row Terminal, c. 1900. It shows a Flatbush-bound trolley heading up to cross the Brooklyn Bridge, with a train heading into the terminal.
Reposted by Discovering NYC
Very interesting to learn about the history behind these parades.
Photographer P.L.Sperr took 1930s photographs of Manhattan ragamuffins. Here are some of them.
Photographer P.L.Sperr took 1930s photographs of Manhattan ragamuffins. Here are some of them.
November 28, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Very interesting to learn about the history behind these parades.
Photographer P.L.Sperr took 1930s photographs of Manhattan ragamuffins. Here are some of them.
Photographer P.L.Sperr took 1930s photographs of Manhattan ragamuffins. Here are some of them.
Thankful for being able to finish up editing through the itis! If you’re just waking up from a late turkey nap, come learn about the Fantasticals and Ragamuffin parades, which is one of the more fun ways New Yorkers used to celebrate Thanksgiving: discovering.nyc/the-fantasti...
The Fantasticals and Ragamuffin Parades: How New Yorkers used to celebrate Thanksgiving - Discovering NYC
For many years, one of the major civic celebrations in New York City was Evacuation Day, which was celebrated each November 25th to mark the day the Americans secured the city following the end of hos...
discovering.nyc
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Thankful for being able to finish up editing through the itis! If you’re just waking up from a late turkey nap, come learn about the Fantasticals and Ragamuffin parades, which is one of the more fun ways New Yorkers used to celebrate Thanksgiving: discovering.nyc/the-fantasti...
Happy Evacuation Day! On this day in 1783, Washington and his men, including General Henry Knox and Governor George Clinton, took “happy repossession” of New York City after seven years of British occupation. The city celebrated in earnest for 10 days.
discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...
discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...
Gratitude and Joy, Peace and Triumph: New York City’s Evacuation Day - Discovering NYC
In the wake of the Battle of Fort Washington in November 1776, the British firmly held onto York Island (Manhattan), and would continue to control the island for nearly seven years, well after the Bat...
discovering.nyc
November 25, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Happy Evacuation Day! On this day in 1783, Washington and his men, including General Henry Knox and Governor George Clinton, took “happy repossession” of New York City after seven years of British occupation. The city celebrated in earnest for 10 days.
discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...
discovering.nyc/gratitude-an...
For anyone looking to learn more about the Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn) #HATM discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...
The Battle of Brooklyn - Discovering NYC
In January 1776, George Washington appointed General Charles Lee to oversee the construction of defenses in New York, providing instructions that noted “you are to put that City in the best posture of...
discovering.nyc
November 19, 2025 at 3:13 AM
For anyone looking to learn more about the Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn) #HATM discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...
Today is the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Washington, which is always interesting to write about.
For anyone waiting for Ken Burns’ American Revolution tonight (I’m so excited!) this can tide you over for a bit: discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...
For anyone waiting for Ken Burns’ American Revolution tonight (I’m so excited!) this can tide you over for a bit: discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...
The Battle of Fort Washington - Discovering NYC
Attacks of Fort Washington by his Majesty’s Forces under the command of General Sir William Howe, November 16th, 1776. This view shows the three-pronged attack, with the British (in red) and Hessian (...
discovering.nyc
November 16, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Today is the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Washington, which is always interesting to write about.
For anyone waiting for Ken Burns’ American Revolution tonight (I’m so excited!) this can tide you over for a bit: discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...
For anyone waiting for Ken Burns’ American Revolution tonight (I’m so excited!) this can tide you over for a bit: discovering.nyc/the-battle-o...
Reposted by Discovering NYC
Nellie Bly left for her around-the-world trip on this day in 1889. 72 days later she was back home in #NewYorkCity. Read about Nellie's New York in my blog post below.
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
Traveling to History: Five — James F. Lee
Nellie Bly’s New York
www.jamesflee.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Nellie Bly left for her around-the-world trip on this day in 1889. 72 days later she was back home in #NewYorkCity. Read about Nellie's New York in my blog post below.
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
Resurrected 9 witch! I feel seen
Track or treat! We hope our riders have a spooktacular Halloween 👻🎃
October 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Resurrected 9 witch! I feel seen
Ok, hear me out. A Lord of the Rings re-make, but with these two taking the One Ring to Mordor:
August 31, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Ok, hear me out. A Lord of the Rings re-make, but with these two taking the One Ring to Mordor:
I've been attempting to escape "melancholia" by writing blog posts about the Gilded Age.
We're halfway through the season so it's high time I post them here. No folderol!
discovering.nyc/what-is-the-...
We're halfway through the season so it's high time I post them here. No folderol!
discovering.nyc/what-is-the-...
What is the Use of Struggling?: The Real-life History of The Gilded Age in NYC, Season 3 Episode 4 - Discovering NYC
The lavish Vanderbilt-Marlborough wedding ceremony in the Church of St. Thomas. From The Illustrated London News, November 23, 1895. Bridesmaids wearing white The bridesmaids dresses worn at the Vande...
discovering.nyc
July 16, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I've been attempting to escape "melancholia" by writing blog posts about the Gilded Age.
We're halfway through the season so it's high time I post them here. No folderol!
discovering.nyc/what-is-the-...
We're halfway through the season so it's high time I post them here. No folderol!
discovering.nyc/what-is-the-...
Finally pulled myself up out of the depths of grading to cobble together a post about the Jefferson Market Courthouse. Come for the old fire tower, stay for an overview of the courthouse, and enjoy the bonus pictures that my grandfather took of the old Women's House of Detention in 1966!
The Jefferson Market and Courthouse - Discovering NYC
The Jefferson Market and Fire Tower, c. 1866. The police court was towards the back […]
discovering.nyc
June 1, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Finally pulled myself up out of the depths of grading to cobble together a post about the Jefferson Market Courthouse. Come for the old fire tower, stay for an overview of the courthouse, and enjoy the bonus pictures that my grandfather took of the old Women's House of Detention in 1966!
A long time ago I did a deep dive into the history behind Gangs of New York & explored how accurate the movie was. It was accurate in some surprising ways! while being completely wrong in others. Anyone want to see this revived for a new blog post?
Also ofc Daniel Day Lewis can do no wrong!
Also ofc Daniel Day Lewis can do no wrong!
May 14, 2025 at 7:19 PM
A long time ago I did a deep dive into the history behind Gangs of New York & explored how accurate the movie was. It was accurate in some surprising ways! while being completely wrong in others. Anyone want to see this revived for a new blog post?
Also ofc Daniel Day Lewis can do no wrong!
Also ofc Daniel Day Lewis can do no wrong!
Chicago pope blessing the “L” when
May 8, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Chicago pope blessing the “L” when
Old Penn Station appreciation time, just because. Not that one ever needs an excuse to share this beauty.
May 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Old Penn Station appreciation time, just because. Not that one ever needs an excuse to share this beauty.
Reposted by Discovering NYC
May 7, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by Discovering NYC
#DidYouKnow that there was once a working trolley terminal underneath Delancey Street? Beginning in 1908, the Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal was the departure point for streetcar service running over the Williamsburg Bridge.
May 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
#DidYouKnow that there was once a working trolley terminal underneath Delancey Street? Beginning in 1908, the Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal was the departure point for streetcar service running over the Williamsburg Bridge.
It was a lot of fun exploring the Beach Pneumatic Transit and the delightfully named "atmospheric" railways and their "ethereal" science (Victorians, right?!). It must have seemed magical to those who flocked to see Beach's innovative system in the three short years it was open. #history
See Beach Express: Alfred Ely Beach and New York City’s First Subway - Discovering NYC
When the so-called “secret” subway line opened in February 1870, many New Yorkers were completely […]
discovering.nyc
April 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It was a lot of fun exploring the Beach Pneumatic Transit and the delightfully named "atmospheric" railways and their "ethereal" science (Victorians, right?!). It must have seemed magical to those who flocked to see Beach's innovative system in the three short years it was open. #history
Obligatory Five Points post (I can't believe I haven't done one yet!). This view shows the eponymous junction, where Orange Street, Cross Street & Anthony Street met.
From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827. #NYChistory
From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827. #NYChistory
April 26, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Obligatory Five Points post (I can't believe I haven't done one yet!). This view shows the eponymous junction, where Orange Street, Cross Street & Anthony Street met.
From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827. #NYChistory
From Valentine's Manual of Old New York, 1855. It is a reproduction of an oil painting by George Catlin from c. 1827. #NYChistory
The colorful monorail built by the American Machine and Foundry Company for the 1964-65 World’s Fair. Fully automatic, it featured seven two-car trains running along a 4,000 foot loop. Visitors could "see the fair from the air" in the air-conditioned cars, which must have been a treat! #history
April 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM
The colorful monorail built by the American Machine and Foundry Company for the 1964-65 World’s Fair. Fully automatic, it featured seven two-car trains running along a 4,000 foot loop. Visitors could "see the fair from the air" in the air-conditioned cars, which must have been a treat! #history
On April 22nd, 1964, the 1964-65 World's Fair opened in Flushing Meadows. Here's a fantastic aerial view of the expansive fairgrounds in Flushing Meadows park, showing Shea Stadium on the left.
From 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 by the Department of Parks. #NYChistory
From 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 by the Department of Parks. #NYChistory
April 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
On April 22nd, 1964, the 1964-65 World's Fair opened in Flushing Meadows. Here's a fantastic aerial view of the expansive fairgrounds in Flushing Meadows park, showing Shea Stadium on the left.
From 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 by the Department of Parks. #NYChistory
From 30 years of progress, 1934-1964 by the Department of Parks. #NYChistory
Reposted by Discovering NYC
The Church of the Transfiguration by Lithuanian architect Jonas Mulokas, at 64-25 Perry Avenue, in Maspeth, Queens, is unlike any other building in the New York City area. #history #queens #historicpreservation
Historic Lithuanian Church of the Transfiguration Faces Closure and Demolition - New York Almanack
The Church of the Transfiguration by Lithuanian architect Jonas Mulokas, in Maspeth, Queens, is unlike any other building in the NYC area.
www.newyorkalmanack.com
April 20, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The Church of the Transfiguration by Lithuanian architect Jonas Mulokas, at 64-25 Perry Avenue, in Maspeth, Queens, is unlike any other building in the New York City area. #history #queens #historicpreservation