From 1625 until today, from the Battery to the Harlem River, East Side to West Side, the Bowery to Washington Heights – this six session illustrated series will follow Manhattan’s history and progress from the Dutch landing in 1609 to Rockefeller Center, Hudson Yards and beyond.

A particular emphasis will be on the physical progress of the transformation of the island from a tree-covered wilderness inhabited by indigenous natives (human and otherwise) to a mostly planned community of 1.6 million people. Its settlement proceeds northward, following Broadway up the West Side and 5th Avenue up the East Side. Between the two, Frederick Law Olmstead laid out Central Park, one of the greatest amenities of any city in the world, and a subject to which we will devote an entire session.

Come and see New York as the buildings grow ever higher, the blocks more crowded and the world arrives by land, sea, and air.

Mondays | 6 weeks | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

January 27

February 3

February 10

February 17

February 24

March 3