The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

Last Friday was the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and there have been several well-done tributes and examinations of the day with historical and contemporary context, but here are a few of my favorite sites and sources:

Cornell's Industrial and Labor Relations School multi-page exploration, which includes this model of the 9th floor;

 

the History Channel's break from WWII footage;

David Von Drehle's 2004 book Triangle:  the Fire That Changed America;

Katharine Weber's brilliantly-crafted and moving novel, Triangle;

and the ever-reliable and fascinating Bowery Boys' blog.

The Grid of Manhattan--200th Anniversary

Spend some time exploring the grid with this fascinating interactive map created by the New York Times.

Track populations area-by-area through four different years of the twentieth century; learn why Broadway cuts to the left at Tenth Street; peruse some bizarre features on the Randell Plan (e.g., ropewalks); identify the world-famous street that the commission tried to abolish; try to guess what present-day park was once seven times as large and intended for a military parade ground or what present-day park was five times as large and intended for a market place.

NY Video Friday: Episode 25 on the 25th!!

This week we salute John Randel, who had the idea for the street grid in Manhattan; which makes New York City the easiest large city to move through in the world. We are celebrating the grid's 200th birthday this year. In honor of that, I bring you Manhattanhenge, which only happens twice a year.

And 25th Episode on the 25th only happens once in a lifetime...

NY Video Friday: Episode 24

Interested in some of the most valuable property in all of New York? Spies for the tallest building in the world? Robert lets us know the ups and downs of living on Wall Street. Obie winning playwright and actor Marc Wolf has an audio cameo.

What's an Assay Office?

NY Video Friday: Episode 23

Sometimes being passionate about something can get you into trouble. Let's watch as Robert finds a way to calm Elizabeth down. Marta, once again, tries to regale us with a lovely song.....

Wait'll I call my agent!

New York Video Friday: Episode 22

Before the snows completely melt and we bid adieu to the winter, let's enjoy one of our favorite video-makers, Improv Everywhere, with their homage to ice skating at Bryant Park.

How sharp are your skates?