After my visit to Fraunces Tavern Museum, I decided to go down about one block to the Vietnam Veterans Plaza located on 55 Water Street. The site was dedicated for those 1,741 New Yorkers who died during this conflict. This small plaza was first dedicated in 1985, then redone and reopenned in Nov 2001.
The center piece of the Plaza is the "Memorial" which is long greenish, tranlucent slab of stone where is engraved various parts of letters sent by soldiers from Vietnam. Most of the wording is hard to see until one gets very close to the Memorial itself. The official website actually has the wording which are inscribed onto the Memorial. The Memorial runs east-to-west in the direction of the triangular plaza. On both sides of the Memorial are a "railings" in which many visitors leave momentos such as flowers, shoes, dolls, flags, etc. Today I did not see any items there, then again it was so cold and windy, any artifacts would not have lasted long.
Along the walkway leading up to the Memorial from the west side, from Water Street, is the "Walk of Honor", consisting of several five foot high black granite pillar where the names of each of the falled is engraved on metal plates. The names are listed in alphabetical order with the age of each of the dead.
At the end of the walk, on a very low polish rock platform, a map of Vietnam with battle signs is engraved on a stainless steel plate. The maps was hard to see due to the daylight but still interesting to see.
On the south side is a round, granite fountain when it is operating shoots water but considering it was winter, the water did not flow.
In line with the Memorial, on the northside of the plaza are three large stainless steel plaques with the images and information on three individuals from the conflict. One is Lieutenant Father Vincent Capodanno, who died in action and given the Medal of Honor, posthumously. Next is Specialist Fourth George C. Lang, Army, also recieved the Medal of Honor. An the third is Marine Private First Class Dan Bullock, the youngest servicemen killed during the war at the age of 15.
On the east side of the plaza, facing the FDR drive, are flag poles with the flags of each of the military services and a flag with the Vietnam Veteran Service Ribbon.
In all it the Vietnam Veterans Plaza was alright for me. It has a bit less then I wish they had as they used such stark materials as granite and stainless steel. Then again these outdoor Plazas, rements of the 1970's urban revitalation efforts of New York City, were meant to be enjoyed during the nice weather, not the dead of winter I was visiting. The venue did, however, convey the sense of "memorial" as much as any other I have been too.
Photos I took can be seen at the Facebook Photo site below:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46403&id=1507778102&l=84497741da
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Fraunces Tavern Museum and Magna Carta
On 27 Jan, I headed out to visit the Fraunces Tavern Museum located in the financial section of lower Manhattan on the corner of Pearle and Broad Street. It was the sight of George Washington's famous Farewell Address to his generals after the British evaucated New York City on 25 Nov 1783. The museum also had on display one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta signed by King John in 1215. Thought it be good to see them.
I took the #5 Train got off at the Bowling Green Station and walked a couple of blocks to the Museum. Fraunces Tavern is still a working restaurant after all these years. Entering the restaurant, one goes upstairs to the 2nd floor where the artifacts are located.
The most famous is the "Long Room" where Washington's Farewell Address was delivered. The room is kept in the same form as it would have been in the 18th-century. Nicely laid out with food, chairs, tobacco pipes and writing quills. There is also a couple of other rooms on this floor belong to George Clinton, the first Governor of the State of New York, in the same period setting. He hosted a dinner party for George Washington after British Evacuated New York in 25 Nov 1783. Along the hall walls, are images from various artist of the time of George Washington. Some were fanciful images of his Farewell Address. Most of these were sketches used in the newspapers of the times and part of Stanley and Elizabeth DeForest Scott's collection on permanent display to the museum. The images give a glimpse of what people's feeling at the time were towards the First President.
Going up the wooden stairs to the 3rd floor is a large museum rooms filled with artifacts collected by the Sons of the Revolution, the folks who take care of the museum. Items like muskets, statues, a lock of George Washington's hair, a piece of wood from his coffin(before being placed in a tomb), one pair of Washington's false teeth and period clothing were on displayed. Also information and images of the Sons of the Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution were also there. Nice collection of period items.
Walking into the adjoining gallery was a large room with information on the Magna Carta. It is in this room, near the side one sees the display of a hand written copy of this great document. The copy is on loan from its home in Lincoln Cathedral in England. The "Great Charter" is behind a glass booth, the document itself is small about 11 x17 inches, gray and hard to read. Information around the area explains some of the words and its implications. Before entering this area there is a large copy of the Declaration of Independence. The plaques claim this is the only one of two original copies of the Declaration still around.
Around the exhibition rooms flew some flags of various Kings of England, which added the flare that the Magna Carta is very much British. Next to this gallery were paintings showing New York's involvement in the Revolutionary War and times leading up to it. There were also paintings of many of the significant events/people such as Molly Pitcher, Van Stuben, Thaddeous Kosciusko and others.
Also on display were many of the famous paintings by John Ward Dunsmore. Most have seen his work but this was a display of his original painting. Paintings were dramatic representations of some of the events like the Battle of Yorktown.
Well it was sad I was not allowed to take pictures of the exhibits and artifacts, I really don't understand this since most of what is on display already have pictures some where else on the Web, but it was a really good experience. The viewing was less then one hour and seeing the places that was built so long ago surrounded by modern builds made for financing was rather striking juxtaposition.
Photos of the outside of the building can be seen in location below:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46377&id=1507778102&l=45961cd35f
I took the #5 Train got off at the Bowling Green Station and walked a couple of blocks to the Museum. Fraunces Tavern is still a working restaurant after all these years. Entering the restaurant, one goes upstairs to the 2nd floor where the artifacts are located.
The most famous is the "Long Room" where Washington's Farewell Address was delivered. The room is kept in the same form as it would have been in the 18th-century. Nicely laid out with food, chairs, tobacco pipes and writing quills. There is also a couple of other rooms on this floor belong to George Clinton, the first Governor of the State of New York, in the same period setting. He hosted a dinner party for George Washington after British Evacuated New York in 25 Nov 1783. Along the hall walls, are images from various artist of the time of George Washington. Some were fanciful images of his Farewell Address. Most of these were sketches used in the newspapers of the times and part of Stanley and Elizabeth DeForest Scott's collection on permanent display to the museum. The images give a glimpse of what people's feeling at the time were towards the First President.
Going up the wooden stairs to the 3rd floor is a large museum rooms filled with artifacts collected by the Sons of the Revolution, the folks who take care of the museum. Items like muskets, statues, a lock of George Washington's hair, a piece of wood from his coffin(before being placed in a tomb), one pair of Washington's false teeth and period clothing were on displayed. Also information and images of the Sons of the Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution were also there. Nice collection of period items.
Walking into the adjoining gallery was a large room with information on the Magna Carta. It is in this room, near the side one sees the display of a hand written copy of this great document. The copy is on loan from its home in Lincoln Cathedral in England. The "Great Charter" is behind a glass booth, the document itself is small about 11 x17 inches, gray and hard to read. Information around the area explains some of the words and its implications. Before entering this area there is a large copy of the Declaration of Independence. The plaques claim this is the only one of two original copies of the Declaration still around.
Around the exhibition rooms flew some flags of various Kings of England, which added the flare that the Magna Carta is very much British. Next to this gallery were paintings showing New York's involvement in the Revolutionary War and times leading up to it. There were also paintings of many of the significant events/people such as Molly Pitcher, Van Stuben, Thaddeous Kosciusko and others.
Also on display were many of the famous paintings by John Ward Dunsmore. Most have seen his work but this was a display of his original painting. Paintings were dramatic representations of some of the events like the Battle of Yorktown.
Well it was sad I was not allowed to take pictures of the exhibits and artifacts, I really don't understand this since most of what is on display already have pictures some where else on the Web, but it was a really good experience. The viewing was less then one hour and seeing the places that was built so long ago surrounded by modern builds made for financing was rather striking juxtaposition.
Photos of the outside of the building can be seen in location below:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46377&id=1507778102&l=45961cd35f
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Lunch at the New World Trade Center 7
On 21 Jan 2010, I was invited to lunch at the new World Trade Center Tower 7 in Manhattan. It took the E-train at the Forest Hills MTA station to Chamber street station, and walked about a block where one can see the large 59-story building, gleaming with the reflective glass panels. This new building that replaced the one that was destroyed back on 9/11 and opened on 2006. It is also New York City's first " green" office building being certified Gold by the US Green Building Council under the LEED rating system.
First thing ones sees is the fanciable large mirror-polished sculpture called "Balloon-Flower" by Jeff Koons located at the small plaza in front of the entrance to WTC 7. It looks like a balloon-dog that those clowns make during family nights at a restaurant, which is actually what Mr. Koons says it is.
First thing ones sees is the fanciable large mirror-polished sculpture called "Balloon-Flower" by Jeff Koons located at the small plaza in front of the entrance to WTC 7. It looks like a balloon-dog that those clowns make during family nights at a restaurant, which is actually what Mr. Koons says it is.
After getting checked in by the friendly security and getting an adhesive badge, I was let into the building. Passing a security turnstile, I took the elevator to the 19 Floor, where the cafeteria is located. In front of the entrance to the cafeteria, I met my host. The hallway and elevator were very spacious and bright, very nice to be in.
The WTC 7 cafeteria is located on the southside of the building. My main interest was that this side had a view looking down into the construction of Ground Zero at the World Trade Center site.
From the 19th floor one can see how much work is going on at the site. The Freedom Tower is now several stories high, with many cranes located at the top floor. It has progress much since I visited in Nov 09. The Tower is on the west side of the site. On the south side is the beginnings of the World Trade Center Memorial with the two large squares which are the "footprint" of the original Twin Towers.
At the east side was large empty area area the future PATH train station will be located. First this site one can see the large concrete "bath tube" which goes around and under the entire site. It is used to hold back the water from the surrounding rivers. One can also get a taste of the scale of the site by looking at the 5 story parking lot which is double high but still underneath street level.
Across Church Street from east side is ancient St Paul's Chapel which many of the rescue workers during 9/11 recovery used to recuperate during the long days. This Church has many stories to tell on this tragic time. It was also the Church that President George Washington visited right after his first inauguration. Much history in this building.
Lunch menu at the cafeteria was extensive from fresh salad to well cooked platters. This was one of the best cafeteria I have been to and it did not accept cash. We had a nice meal and talked about the times. Most of the people who worked at the WTC 7 were from the financial sector. The cafeteria had a great view and I would probably stay there for many hours if I had my choice.
Visiting the new WTC 7 was rather uplifting to me and it was the first time I went to a functioning building of this site since the destruction of 9/11. Seeing that the other parts of the site particularly the Freedom Tower and Memorial were finally beginning to take shape after many years and much delays(all self centered by those involved-IMHO) gave me some sense of optimism for New York City, my home town.
Photos can be seen on the Photo Album Site of Faceboook
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45901&id=1507778102&l=143415c5e6
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Musueum
On Wednesday 20Jan2010, I decided to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Museum in Manhattan located 28th East 20th Street between Park Ave and Broadway.
I took the F train subway from Forest Hills Station to Lexington Ave and transfer to the #6 train downtown and get off at 23rd street station. Just a couple block walk to the museum which is located in the middle of the block.
This place was a reconstruction of the brownstone in which President Roosevelt was born and grew up and located on the same spot. There was a guided tour at 1pm but having gotten to the museum a early, I had a chance to look around the first floor gallery on images and artifacts of Roosevelt's life. This included information of his ancestors up through is political career and post-public life.
It was rather informative with much information. At 1pm me and two others gathered at the entrance where the tour guide took us up one flight of stairs to the second floor of the museum. There was a main gallery of TR's personnel belongs most prominently a large oak desk which he used at home and when he was Seceratary of the Navy. On each side of the desk was a woodend engraving of the iron clads during the US Civil War.
On the second floor was also the Guess room, the family room and the main dining room. Very nice with lots of the original furniture for the Roosevelt's collection. Some items that were not original were found that were of the same period and something the family probably used.
Going on the the third floor were the bedroom areas. The first room were for the little kids as they were just infants. Attached to this room was an interesting exit to the back of the house, where the Roosevelts had set up a gym for thier children particularly TR, as he was asthmatic and his parents thought regular exercise would be beneficial.
Next to this room was the masterbed room where TR's parents slept. A large painting of TR's mother was in the room. A very nice desk, bed and amore were in the room, items donated by the Roosevelt family.
Along the hallway next to the masterbed room was a small room. The tour guide mentioned that no one knows what this room was used for but it was in the original plans for the house and was made. Inside was the original wooden file cabinent where TR filed his articles when he worked for the Kansas City Newspaper. Also a list of book TR wrote. He wrote and read alot during his life, very amazing.
This was the end of the tour and I hang around the second floor gallery to take a better look at the artifacts there. The tour took about 45 minutes with the guide full of information of the house, the Roosevelt family and Theodore Roosevelt's life.
It was a nice tour of a great man, the only American President born in New York City. If one is ever in New York I recommend going.
I took the F train subway from Forest Hills Station to Lexington Ave and transfer to the #6 train downtown and get off at 23rd street station. Just a couple block walk to the museum which is located in the middle of the block.
This place was a reconstruction of the brownstone in which President Roosevelt was born and grew up and located on the same spot. There was a guided tour at 1pm but having gotten to the museum a early, I had a chance to look around the first floor gallery on images and artifacts of Roosevelt's life. This included information of his ancestors up through is political career and post-public life.
It was rather informative with much information. At 1pm me and two others gathered at the entrance where the tour guide took us up one flight of stairs to the second floor of the museum. There was a main gallery of TR's personnel belongs most prominently a large oak desk which he used at home and when he was Seceratary of the Navy. On each side of the desk was a woodend engraving of the iron clads during the US Civil War.
On the second floor was also the Guess room, the family room and the main dining room. Very nice with lots of the original furniture for the Roosevelt's collection. Some items that were not original were found that were of the same period and something the family probably used.
Going on the the third floor were the bedroom areas. The first room were for the little kids as they were just infants. Attached to this room was an interesting exit to the back of the house, where the Roosevelts had set up a gym for thier children particularly TR, as he was asthmatic and his parents thought regular exercise would be beneficial.
Next to this room was the masterbed room where TR's parents slept. A large painting of TR's mother was in the room. A very nice desk, bed and amore were in the room, items donated by the Roosevelt family.
Along the hallway next to the masterbed room was a small room. The tour guide mentioned that no one knows what this room was used for but it was in the original plans for the house and was made. Inside was the original wooden file cabinent where TR filed his articles when he worked for the Kansas City Newspaper. Also a list of book TR wrote. He wrote and read alot during his life, very amazing.
This was the end of the tour and I hang around the second floor gallery to take a better look at the artifacts there. The tour took about 45 minutes with the guide full of information of the house, the Roosevelt family and Theodore Roosevelt's life.
It was a nice tour of a great man, the only American President born in New York City. If one is ever in New York I recommend going.
Some photos can be seen in Facebook Album
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45691&id=1507778102&l=30c2679adf
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Time Square and Titanic Exhibition Visit
On Saturday 16 Jan, the weather was warm enough in New York City for me to venture out to visit Manhattan for the first time since I arrived back home in mid-Decemeber. I heard of the Discovery Titanic Artifacts Exhibits near Time Square, in the former New York Times printing office building so decided to take a look.
I took the New York Subway F-train from the 71-Continental Station as it is normally an express to Manhattan. This weekend , the F-Train was traveling local in Queens due to work on the subway line. Getting off at the Bryant Park Station, it was less then a block to Time Square.
Time Square is alot different now since I was growing up in New York 30 years ago. The area is full of electronic bill boards and modern buildings. I found the Titanic Exhibits off 44th Street across from the famed Shubert Alley. There was actually a fairly long line to get tickets and took about 15 minutes to purchase one ticket and an audio phone for 26 dollars.
The interesting thing was at the entrance to the exhibits, the ticket attends give you a "boarding pass" with the name and information of a passenger on that ill fated ship. The ideas is at the end of the exhibit one finds out if that passenger survived the accident.
They did not allow pictures to be taken of the artifacts which was sad as there were some interesting items in the exhibit. Most of the artifacts were small personal items behind a glass case with information about the object. Explanations were made on the different classes of passengers from First Class, Second Class and Third Class. Objects like shoes, brief cases, perfume bottles, hair brushes and shaving razors were displayed. The Exhibit also had full scale replicas of the different Class cabins and an interior corridor.
Information billboards were around all the exhibits. What I liked was information on the different passengers from the famous to the ones just traveling for a new life.
At the end of the exhibition, a video of the recovery effort by Discovery was presented on what they are going to preserve the Titanic remains. In the final room was the list of survivors and dead from this terrible disaster . I got my "boarding pass" and looked to see if the person named survived or not. They listed the passengers by Class and Crew.
Overall I thought the exhibit was "OK" but thought they would have more of the ship's hardware and cover more on the Third Class passengers and more audio/recording tour. The passage through the exhibit were narrow at points which slowed down the flow of people going through. If it wasn't a post-Holiday crowd, it might have taken much longer to get through all the exhibit.
After leaving the Titanic Artifact Exhibit, I walked around Time Square, trying to familiarize myself with more of this new part of New York City, well at least for me it was new. I found an ESPN Zone sports bar and went in to grab a bite to eat. Actually never been inside this establishment even though I watch ESPN all the time. Not many people there as most of the Christmas Holiday crowd went home.
I had a good time at the Titanic Exhibit, visiting Time Square and grabbing a meal a ESPN Zone. Hopefully I will be out more to Manhattan now that I have more time after moving my brother to his new house.
Photos I took can be seen Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45316&id=1507778102&l=8eaf0170d9
I took the New York Subway F-train from the 71-Continental Station as it is normally an express to Manhattan. This weekend , the F-Train was traveling local in Queens due to work on the subway line. Getting off at the Bryant Park Station, it was less then a block to Time Square.
Time Square is alot different now since I was growing up in New York 30 years ago. The area is full of electronic bill boards and modern buildings. I found the Titanic Exhibits off 44th Street across from the famed Shubert Alley. There was actually a fairly long line to get tickets and took about 15 minutes to purchase one ticket and an audio phone for 26 dollars.
The interesting thing was at the entrance to the exhibits, the ticket attends give you a "boarding pass" with the name and information of a passenger on that ill fated ship. The ideas is at the end of the exhibit one finds out if that passenger survived the accident.
They did not allow pictures to be taken of the artifacts which was sad as there were some interesting items in the exhibit. Most of the artifacts were small personal items behind a glass case with information about the object. Explanations were made on the different classes of passengers from First Class, Second Class and Third Class. Objects like shoes, brief cases, perfume bottles, hair brushes and shaving razors were displayed. The Exhibit also had full scale replicas of the different Class cabins and an interior corridor.
Information billboards were around all the exhibits. What I liked was information on the different passengers from the famous to the ones just traveling for a new life.
At the end of the exhibition, a video of the recovery effort by Discovery was presented on what they are going to preserve the Titanic remains. In the final room was the list of survivors and dead from this terrible disaster . I got my "boarding pass" and looked to see if the person named survived or not. They listed the passengers by Class and Crew.
Overall I thought the exhibit was "OK" but thought they would have more of the ship's hardware and cover more on the Third Class passengers and more audio/recording tour. The passage through the exhibit were narrow at points which slowed down the flow of people going through. If it wasn't a post-Holiday crowd, it might have taken much longer to get through all the exhibit.
After leaving the Titanic Artifact Exhibit, I walked around Time Square, trying to familiarize myself with more of this new part of New York City, well at least for me it was new. I found an ESPN Zone sports bar and went in to grab a bite to eat. Actually never been inside this establishment even though I watch ESPN all the time. Not many people there as most of the Christmas Holiday crowd went home.
I had a good time at the Titanic Exhibit, visiting Time Square and grabbing a meal a ESPN Zone. Hopefully I will be out more to Manhattan now that I have more time after moving my brother to his new house.
Photos I took can be seen Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45316&id=1507778102&l=8eaf0170d9
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Cold in New York and need to move
It is rather cold in New York City with the wind chill temps down to 7F this morning. Glad it is not snowing. Today I have to help my brother move his household belongings he has stored in a friends garage into the garage of the new house he has just acquired. Of course it had to be on this very cold day but that is the way it turned out.
He was going to borrow a large van/truck so we can move large amount of things in one time. Fortunately the distance between the storage and the new house is only a couple of blocks in a relatively quite street of Forest Hills.
I am going to put on several layers of winter clothing as I really can't stand the cold and it is rather dangerous in these temps. Hopefully most of the job will be finished by this weekend(or today) and don't have to worry about the move anymore
Well here is to keeping warm.
He was going to borrow a large van/truck so we can move large amount of things in one time. Fortunately the distance between the storage and the new house is only a couple of blocks in a relatively quite street of Forest Hills.
I am going to put on several layers of winter clothing as I really can't stand the cold and it is rather dangerous in these temps. Hopefully most of the job will be finished by this weekend(or today) and don't have to worry about the move anymore
Well here is to keeping warm.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Start of 2010
Well I hope 2010 is going to be better then 2009. I think it will as 2009 wasn't really that bad only being laid off was the problem.
I might have a job offer from Aerojet in Sacramento, but will find out during the first week of the New Year. Aerojet seems to have lots of interesting and exciting things to do.
Like to travel to Colombia this year as I have not been there since I was a child and I'm sure it has changed immensely.
Currently I am home in New York City putting up with the cold. Man I really dislike the low temperatures and the cloudy days. Maybe I'll take a nice short trip to Florida or something.
I might have a job offer from Aerojet in Sacramento, but will find out during the first week of the New Year. Aerojet seems to have lots of interesting and exciting things to do.
Like to travel to Colombia this year as I have not been there since I was a child and I'm sure it has changed immensely.
Currently I am home in New York City putting up with the cold. Man I really dislike the low temperatures and the cloudy days. Maybe I'll take a nice short trip to Florida or something.
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