5 Events This Month to Learn Upper West Side History

Ye Olde Broadway at 90th Street in 1920. Photo by Arthur Hosking.

There are five talks scheduled this month about local history, including two this week. Two are from the Bloomingdale History Group, which offers free programming. And three are from preservation group Landmark West, which often sells tickets to events.

Television City: A History of Filming on the UWS
Tuesday, February 11th 6:30-7:45pm, 35 W. 67th Street
You know that a myriad of iconic shows have been set in the neighborhood (hi, Seinfeld!) But did you know that even more have been filmed here? From daytime soaps to late night legends; old CBS studios to new PBS outposts, Lucie Levine looks at the Upper West Side through the lens of a TV camera, exploring the neighborhood’s long history as New York’s television city.

LW! Partner+ members get 2-for-1 Tickets!
TICKETS

Seneca Village: A Family Visionary and his Descendants
Thursday, February 13, 6:30 p.m. Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Avenue at 103rd Street, FREE

About the program: Cal Jones, Manhattan Borough Historian Emeritus, has traced the history of the Andrew Williams family from the mid 1800s to the present. Williams, a bootblack and cartman, bought land in Seneca Village, a community composed primarily of African Americans, that once thrived on land that is now part of Central Park, from West 83rd Street to West 89th Street. He built a house on the three plots that he had purchased for $120, moved in with his wife Elizabeth, and eventually raised his family there.

The Williams family lived in Seneca Village from 1825 to 1857 when life there came to an abrupt end. The entire village was acquired by the city via eminent domain and all of its homes, two schools and three churches were razed to make room for the new park. Now, after two years of research, Jones has reconstructed the trajectory of the Williams family, all the way to the present day.

Program co-sponsored by the Columbus Amsterdam BID and Hostelling International-NY. For more information call (212) 666-9774 or visit our website, www.upperwestsidehistory.org

UWS Architecture: “Exploring Land Records” PLUS “Candela on the UWS”
Thursday, February 20th 4:30-7:30pm 45 W. 67th Street 3.0 Continuing Ed Credits for BROKERS! Public welcome!
Two great programs=3.0 credits for brokers! First, for many, learning the history of a property–who lived there, who built it, original floorplans, maps, historic details–can add an exciting layer to decisions on purchasing a particular home. Learn from NY Genealogical and Biographical Society expert Susan Miller how to get your search into house histories started! Then, the focus is on legendary architect Rosario Candela, whose 1920’s Manhattan apartments are considered hallmarks of “New York Style”. Few know that Candela’s first commission was on West 92nd Street and that he went on to establish his reputation for elegant, gracious designs right here on the UWS. Anthony Bellov explores Candela’s Upper West Side architectural roots along West End Avenue, Riverside Drive, and many side streets. We’ll enjoy gorgeous photos of our own local Candela treasures – many landmarked – and discuss the signature design features that typify Candela’s work.
TICKETS

Upper West Side Catholics: the History of Ascension Church on West 107th Street, presented by Monsignor Thomas J. Shelley,
Tuesday, February 25, 6:30 p.m. Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Avenue at 103rd Street, FREE

The program: Monsignor Shelley, author of the recently published book Upper West Side Catholics: Liberal Catholicism in a Conservative Archdiocese. Website:
https://www.fordhampress.com/9780823285419/upper-west-side-catholics and professor emeritus of Fordham, will tell the story of this well-known upper west side church.

Program co-sponsored by the Columbus Amsterdam BID and Hostelling International-NY. For more information call (212) 666-9774 or visit our website, www.upperwestsidehistory.org

Television City: A History of Filming on the UWS, Scandal & Murder on the Upper West Side
Tuesday, February 25th 6:30-7:45pm 45 W. 67th Street LW! Partner+ members get 2-for-1!

It’s cold out! Come warm up with some sizzling UWS historic scandals, including the most celebrated brothel keeper in New York City history, a case of murder-by-chowder, and a local Prohibition gangster known as the “Clay Pigeon” for his uncanny ability to survive being shot so many times. Speaker Beth Goffe proves that there’s nothing like a bit of the seedy past to make you feel better about the present!
TICKETS