E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL October 2011, Volume 8, Number 4

~ Grand Concourse Historic District Designated!~

This morning, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated 78 buildings on the Grand Concourse as New York Citys 106th historic district and the 11th in The Bronx. HDC has long sought protection for this fantastic boulevard, co-sponsoring a photo exhibition on the architecture of the neighborhood in 1998 and continuing to list it as a Neighborhood At Risk. Were thrilled that the LPC took this vote and we look forward to extending landmark protections to more buildings on the Concourse! ~ Around NYC with Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel ~ 2011 Landmarks Lion Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel was featured in a recent on-air interview on New York 1. In the interview, she discusses the release of the her book New York Landmarks Volume V. She proudly reported on the ever-growing number of historic districts and landmarks, citing the Bowne House in Flushing as a favorite, not only for its architecture but also for its inspiring history of religious freedom. Barbaralee also drew attention to the ongoing danger to historic buildings throughout New York, commenting on the recent overturning of the landmark designation of 135 Bowery, an 1817 Federal-style rowhouse.

NY1 Online: The New York Times Close Up 10/22/11 her segment begins around minute 23 (but you should also listen to HDCs Friend in the Media Constance Rosenblum talk about her article talking to New Yorker who still live in their childhood homes which precedes Barbaralees segment): http://www.ny1.com/content/features/the_new_york_times_close_up/149569/ny1-online-the-new-york-times-close-up-10-22-11

~Scrabble Sign Returns to Jackson Heights~

CM Dromm and Ms. Diamonstein-Spielvogel at the re-dedication ceremony of the Jackson Heights Historic District Scrabble Sign ceremony Photo: NYC Wanderer Flickr ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~The Landmarks of Labor~ Film, Tour & Panel! Landmarks of Labor is a series of programs exploring New York Citys 20th century buildings where workers and organizers lived, worked, and staged notable events related to the labor movement. Learn about the history and future of New Yorks labor buildings including homes, factories, and public squares and discover the preservation efforts currently underway to save some of these spaces.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 6:30pm

REMEMBERING THE SPATIAL HISTORY OF LABOR: WHERE ARE OUR LANDMARKS? Seafarers and International House, 123 East 15th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan This panel will examine the built environment of the labor movement, discussing how and why to preserve significant buildings and sites associated with labor history. Panelists will delve into both cultural and social history such as waterfront laborers and the labor movement among different immigrant groups. Speakers include historians Richard A. Greenwald, and Joyce Mendelsohn; novelist and essayist Peter Quinn, chronicler of IrishAmerica. $15/$10 for Friends of HDC, Seniors and Students Tuesday, November 8, 6:30pm RESISTANCE IN FILM: ON THE WATERFRONT WITH DISCUSSION Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, Manhattan Elia Kazans acclaimed film depicts midcentury working conditions along the mob-controlled piers of the Hudson River. The film is based on a 24-part Pulitzer prize-winning series in the New York Sun exposing corruption and racketeering characterizing operations on the water. Noted architectural historian Francis Morrone will speak after the film about its significance in New York City history and culture. $15/$10 for Friends of HDC, Seniors and Students Sunday, November 13, 2011, 10:30am GREENWICH VILLAGE: LABOR HISTORY IN BOHEMIA Tour with Justin Ferate The exact location for the tour will be announced upon registration. Greenwich Village has a long and distinguished history in American Labor History. This walking tour will address the 10,000 marchers in the first Labor Day Parade (1882), the Socialist-led Rand School of Social Science, the founding site of the ILGWU, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, the Uprising of 20,000, the Catholic Worker, Cooper Union, and sites associated with Emma Goldman, John Reed, Margaret Sanger, Clara Lemlich, and Samuel Gompers. Come learn from one of New York Citys foremost tour guides about these significant sites. $35/$25 for Friends of HDC, Seniors and Students Purchase Here! Entire Series is Available Now! $55/$35 for Friends of HDC -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Six To Celebrate Presentation~ Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Monday, November 7, 6:00pm

Presenters: Suzanne Spellen and Morgan Munsey, Brownstoner.com columnists The Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood contains an astonishing number of architecturally, historically and culturally significant structures, including rowhouses, mansions, religious buildings, and schools dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Bedford Stuyvesant Society for Historic Preservation, and the landmarks committee of Brooklyn Community Board 3 are working to protect these historically important buildings. Join Suzanne Spellen and Morgan Munsey to learn more about the history of Bed-Stuy and their campaign to preserve it.

Location:The Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street in Manhattan. This events are free and open to the public, reservations are required. To RSVP for any and/or all talks, please call 212-614-9107 ext. 10 or e-mail sromanoski@hdc.org.

~FROGG To Receive Preserve New York Grant~ On Wednesday, October 26th at 12pm The Preservation League will present a $7,500 Preserve New York grant to Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus (FROGG). The grant will fund a full survey of the architecture and history of the area surrounding the Gowanus Canal. The award ceremony will take place at the Old American Can Factory, 232 3rd Street (at the corner of 3rd Avenue) Brooklyn. HDC congratulates our Six To Celebrate recipient on their success!!

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~Ensuring Structural Stability~ The Shore Thing: A Practical Seminar on Shoring Methods and Case Studies for Historic Buildings Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 9am Join us for a special seminar examining shoring methods and case studies from work on historic buildings. Speakers include Joseph Tortorella, Vice President, Robert Silman Associates; Richard Mugler III, President, Richard C. Mugler Co; Eric Hammarberg, Branch Manager, Brisk Waterproofing Company; and Timothy Lynch, Executive Director of the Forensic Engineering Unit, NYC Department of Buildings. Credits:4 CE/HSW Credits (Towards NYS Architects Licensing) Location: The General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen: 20 West 44th Street New York, NY 10036 Fees: $125/per person, $100/ per person Special offer for Friends of HDC & Professional Partners! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~Monday Morning Coffee Talk~ Neighborhood Leadership: Community Organizing and Grassroots Fundraising November 7th 2011 Participation is open by invitation only to 2012 applicants to HDCs Six to Celebrate program. To learn more about the Citizens Committee of New York City and the free workshops they offers visit their website. To view the application click here (pdf). If you have any questions regarding the Six To Celebrate program you can visit our website http://hdc.org/6tocelebrate2011.htm or email Nadezhda Williams at nwilliams@hdc.org. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~Donate to HDC~ Become a Friend of HDC today and receive special discounts on our exciting and informational events. By donating you are aiding in the fight to preserve New York history. HDC is the only organization that works with communities in all five boroughs. Thats a lot of buildings! http://www.hdc.org/friends.htm. Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails. The Advocate for New York Citys Historic Neighborhoods 232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003 tel: 212-614-9107 fax: 212-614-9127 email: hdc@hdc.org