New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981202728694

While too many New York City hotels seem to have chosen their art collections from a 1997 Walmart catalog, a handful of them, fortunately, challenge the status quo — so much so that they've become a beacon of inspiration and creativity for visitors and New Yorkers alike. Are you ready to embark on a virtual treasure hunt to uncover some of the city's most impressive hotel art collections?

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore a selection of hotel bars and lobbies throughout New York City that boast incredible museum-quality art collections and site-specific commissions.

Led by Sylvia Laudien-Meo — art historian, museum educator, and NYC tour guide — this virtual journey around NYC will include:

• A brief history of some of NYC's most historic hotels known for their art, including The Peninsula Hotel, The Surrey, and the Warwick Hotel
• A deep dive into the permanent and temporary art on view in both historic and contemporary hotels
• A discussion around the artists and their pieces, from Gilded Age muralists to Graffiti Age street artists
• A map view showcasing where to find each art piece discussed

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Sylvia — any and all questions about the featured art pieces are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Sylvia
Sylvia Laudien-Meo is a freelance Art Historian who works in and around the city in various capacities, specializing on Modern and Contemporary art, with a strong focus on Public Art. She teaches art history at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been working as a museum educator at MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Jewish Museum for over many years, engaging visitors in conversation based, interactive art experiences of permanent collections and changing exhibitions.
For the Municipal Art Society, UFT, Brandeis Univ., and private clients, she has been touring the city for over 20 years, exploring art and architecture, parks, neighborhoods and history. Working in various different capacities gives her a unique opportunity to make intriguing connections and weave together the complex perspectives that make out the tapestry of our fascinating city.
SLM holds a Masters Degree in Art History (with minors in History and American Studies) from the Joh. Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, as well as a Tourism degree from the EST in Paris France.

Testimonials
"It was fabulous! I will never walk by these hotels without stopping in to look at the artwork! What a treat this lecture was!" -Michele
"I liked Sylvias passion about the artists. Enlightening we have so much art around us at the hotels and bars. Awesome." -Linda
"Very knowledgeable lecturer. Well worth the $. Will do more with you." -Nicole
"So knowledgeable It’s fun to find out about more hidden treasures in the city" -Charyle
"Sylvia's presentation was extremely interesting, very well researched & entertaining." -Mary
"Such interesting material, descrkptions and analyses." -Leonard
"I really enjoyed our presenter. I will definitely take more of her webinars & walking tour if I ever get a chance to visit NYC again." -Ana
"The presenter is very knowledgable and has a wide range of examples to present." -Elizabeth
"Sylvia is so knowledgable and gives access to seeing art I would never see otherwise." -Bethene
"The stories and details of the artwork were great. I don’t know much about art in this teaching by Sylvia is always so enlightening" -Sharon
"Learning info I’d never find on my own! So lovely listening to someone who clearly loves the City and all it has to offer." -Lizanne
"So many hidden away art treasures were revealed!" -Karin
"Lecturer is so knowledgeable and an excellent speaker; she covered so many fabulous spaces." -Susan
"I liked the expert knowledge of our guide, Sylvia; photographs showing what she was describing, interaction with others in the chat feature, behind the scenes knowledge of NYC hotels" -Maureen
"Many interesting sites with good history and photos" -Melissa
"Packed with information - much of it new to me." -Mary
"Surprise art in surprise places. Loved going through the city without having to transport ourselves" -Michele
"I liked the variety ........ and the fact that the lobbies and bars were scattered all over the island of Manhattan." -Judith
"Sylvia was a fabulous lecturer, photos were great" -Suzanne
"The event included historical facts, prominent artists as well as street artists, and architectual features of NYC hotels." -Susan
"It was well organized and very interesting. I am a fan of exploring NYC hotel lobbies and the whole bar experience." -Barbara
"I liked the art-informed aspect of the tour. Sylvia is a user-friendly academic and brought her brand of expertise to the tour, that was informative and illuminating without being intimidating." -Jeannene
"I liked the speaker, content, pace, extra commentary on ambiance of places, etc. Loved it!" -Susan
"Sylvia is incredibly knowledgeable and her passion is contagious!" -Sharon
"Knowledgeable guide, many of the art presented early on in the tour of works at bars/hotels in NYC which I hope to visit." -Robin
"Great information and slides. I appreciate the identifying information (name of hotel, etc.) given with the slides." -Linda
"The host was very knowledgeable. The graphics were excellent." -Art
"I liked the inside art and details about the hotels old and new." -Linda L.
"I'm stuck with Bend, Oregon, and a virtual trip to New York was a wonderful way to spend some time. Also, it gave me ideas for my next visit." -Roni
"It is so interesting! Been to so many hotels, never thought about the artwork. I want to go back and look! I loved little anecdotes. Definitely enjoyed it." -Deb
"The host was well-informed and enthusiastic, creating a cheerful atmosphere. Many lesser-known hotels were toured and she had obviously researched deeply and carefully." -Claudia
"The presenter is lively and informed. Good photos." -Louis
"The art and murals were fascinating and it was interesting to learn about their history." -Ralph
"The number and detail of the images for each location was something I didn't expect. I also like the way that the presenter discussed works that certain locations reminded her of, for example, her reference to the tones and values used by Andrew Wyeth." -Stephen
"This webinar was very well-prepared and very well presented. Sylvia was splendid with facts and stories and a fine variety of murals to enjoy." -Lorenz
"It was very informative and splendidly organized. I took careful notes, so I can explore some of these interiors once we're all vaccinated and the city gears up again. Sylvia is herself a treasure." -Harry
"I liked Sylvia's expertise in the context of art." -Jeffrey
"The depth and scope of the artworks. Sylvia has an amazing understanding of all these art installations around New York. I can’t wait to be a blessing to travel to NYC again!" -Mary Lou
"Sylvia’s knowledge of art was clear. NYC has such a rich history in art. Can’t wait to explore in person! Thank you!" -Susan
"Visuals were good. Lecturer was very interesting and knowledgeable." -Joyce
"Presenter was extremely knowledgeable! Great content!" -Joyce C.
"I enjoyed the slides and the description where it was located and background of the artist." -Elaine
"Wonderful informative commentary enhanced by the photos, very diverse assortment of art and collection and interesting choice of hotels. Appreciate being able to access the recording of lecture again and being given the hotel list at the end." -Jennifer
"Knowledgable and engaging presenter, fascinating topic." -Martha
"Everything. Sylvia was awesome. She has a passion and conveys it!" -Jason
"Saw many places that I need to explore!" -Debra
"Best substitute for being back in NYC. Sylvia is HIGHLY knowledgeable and made it fun and interesting." -Cindy
"Highlighted a lot of hidden art gems! Thank you!" -Ekaterina
"Sylvia shared so much amazing hotel art. I absolutely loved it." -Janet
"The speaker was super intelligent! I liked the photos a lot and that things were kept moving along and we didn’t spend too long on any individual artwork." -Michael
"Love Sylvia- she is so engaging and knowledgeable! Love her tours (this is our third of hers)!" -Kathy
" I enjoyed seeing all the places in NYC that I never would have thought about this type of art was displayed!! The Presenter is Awesome!!! I take everyone of her lectures!! Thank you for them!!" -Carolyn
"Knowledge and style of the presenter, outstanding illustrations, tons that I hadn't known before and was fascinated to learn" -Susan
"There were hotels i hadn't heard of before especially the newer ones. Her webinars always show she has spent considerable time in researching her topic and presenting informative webinars." -Julia
"I loved the random tidbits of trivia" -Laura
"Interesting information well presented" -Patricia
"Lots of information. Can't wait to visit NY again so we can see some of these places." -Marianne
"Sylvia was excellent as usual." -Maryann
"Sylvia is an absolute treasure. I am a tour opertor who brings groups to New York City, and though we have had lunch, tea, and stayed at a few of these places, there is so much more to explore" -Ellen

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981163381004

Before railroads and telegraphs stitched America together, there was only one path to the promise of a better life out West: the Oregon Trail. In the mid-1800s, this treacherous route beckoned pioneers with the hope of land, freedom, and opportunity — if they could survive the journey. What was it really like for the hundreds of thousands who dared to make the perilous trek? From unforgiving landscapes to the myths it later inspired, it’s time to uncover the real story behind America's most iconic migration.

Join New York Adventure Club as we retrace the Oregon Trail, a grueling 2,100-mile overland journey that pushed ordinary people through extreme hardships in pursuit of land, freedom, and a future they could call their own.

Led by presidential historian Louis L. Picone, our unique experience will include:

• A look at America in the 1830s and 1840s, and what drove thousands to risk everything for a new life in the West
• An immersive look at the 2,100-mile trek, revealing what it was really like to travel in a covered wagon through harsh and uncharted terrain
• Stories of the pioneers, including how they prepared, what they feared, and the difficult choices they had to make along the way
• An exploration of the many dangers, from deadly river crossings and disease to starvation, accidents, and encounters with Native Americans
• A breakdown of fact vs. fiction, and how the Oregon Trail has been memorialized in history and pop culture — including the video game that brought it to a new generation

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Louis — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Louis
Louis L. Picone is the award-winning author of Grant's Tomb: The Epic Death of Ulysses S. Grant and the Making of an American Pantheon, The President Is Dead! The Extraordinary Stories of the Presidential Deaths, Final Days, Burials, and Beyond and the forthcoming (Spring 2026) Ulysses’s Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant’s World Tour at the Dawn of American Empire.
Louis is a member of the White House Historical Association, the Ulysses S. Grant Monument Association, and is also committee Chairman for the Grover Cleveland Presidential Library & Museum in Caldwell, NJ. He holds a Masters in History and also teaches at William Paterson University.
Louis has spoken widely on the topic of the presidents and the places we commemorate them, including the Presidential Sites Summit in Dallas; James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Ohio; Ulysses Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and the international conference "U.S. Presidents and Russian Rulers" at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. He has appeared on various media outlets including C-Span, Time Magazine, BBC, NPR, and the Washington Post. Louis was also featured on the television program "American Mystery" on the Travel Channel to discuss the mystery of JFK's missing brain.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Moments in History

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979734748927

Shaped by migration, industry, and civic ambition, the Pacific gateway cities of San Diego, Portland, and Seattle reflect a legacy of constant transformation throughout the American West. How does the architecture of these former coastal outposts embody the American frontier’s final chapter, and where do their built environments reveal deeper stories of place, power, and identity? From Spanish missions to space needles, it’s time to uncover these ever-evolving urban frontiers at the edge of the continent.

Join New York Adventure Club for a three-part series exploring the architectural evolution of San Diego, Portland, and Seattle — three West Coast cities that have long served as dynamic gateways between the United States and the Pacific world. In Part Two: Portland, we’ll explore how a once rough-hewn frontier town along the Willamette River transformed itself into one of America’s most livable cities, where planning, preservation, and progressive ideals are embedded in the architecture itself.

Led by architectural historian David V. Griffin of Landmark Branding, this digital showcase featuring a selection of unique structures will include:

• An overview of Portland’s 19th-century founding as a lumber and shipping hub, and how early industries shaped its urban core
• A look at the rise of the Edwardian city, with its elegant commercial buildings and refined residential neighborhoods
• A discussion around Portland’s pioneering streetcar systems, and their role in shaping early suburban development
• An exploration of the city’s major public parks and gardens, and how they reflect a civic vision rooted in green space and accessibility
• A survey of contemporary Portland, from adaptive reuse projects to bold expressions of eco-conscious and human-scaled design

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with David — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

Architecture of the Pacific Gateway Cities Series
Part 1: San Diego (Wednesday, February 4 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 2: Portland (Wednesday, February 11 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 3: Seattle (Wednesday, February 18 @ 8:00pm ET)

About David Griffin
A seasoned public speaker and tireless professional strategist, Griffin’s nearly 25 years’ experience in publicity, programming, writing and research is matched by his encyclopedic knowledge of real estate, architecture and design. His clients include developers, brokers and marketing companies as well as architects and design firms.
Griffin is Special Consultant to and a regularly appearing featured guest on the soon-to-be relaunched podcast Rediscovering New York, hosted by Jeff Goodman of Brown Stevens Harris; Griffin’s writing has appeared in Real Estate Weekly, Metropolis, Dwell and the National Trust’s Preservation Magazine and he is a featured contributor to Brownstoner. He is currently at work on several fiction and non-fiction projects.
Griffin graduated from Vassar College with a double major in English & Art History and has recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as the President Emeritus of the Vassar College Croquet Club. He has also served on the Events Committees for the Vassar Club of New York, the historic Montauk Club in Park Slope and the Young Patrons of The American Friends of the Louvre.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Art & Entertainment

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981202798904

When Dr. Charles V. Paterno demolished his famous Manhattan castle overlooking the Hudson River in 1938, he set his sights on Greenwich, CT for his next home; and just one year later, his vision was realized. What makes this sprawling estate like no other in the northeast? It's time to explore one of the country's most famous chateaux like never before.

Join New York Adventure Club as we uncover the complete story behind Dr. Charles V. Paterno's Round Hill estate in Greenwich, CT, a luxury 23-acre estate built in 1939 on the highest point between Manhattan and Boston.

Led by Carla Golden, great-granddaughter of Dr. Charles V. Paterno, our virtual deep dive into this famed Paterno property will include:

• A brief overview of Dr. Paterno's life and legacy, from how he made his fortune to his decision to raze his Washington Heights castle and move to Greenwich, CT
• Original blueprints of Round Hill designed and drawn by architect Greville Ricard
• A deep dive into the Norman-inspired 13,000-square-foot home, which featured 18 rooms, 3 towers, a 5-car garage, a swimming pool, and a three-story billiard room with views of the Manhattan skyline on clear days
• Rare real estate photographs when the estate was first sold in 1948 after Dr. Paterno’s death
• First-hand documents from when famous art collector Joseph Hirshhorn owned and lived at Round Hill
• Details of the massive restoration and renovation by Dee & Tommy Hilfiger
• Observations about how Round Hill has changed, but largely remained the same, for 85 years

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Carla — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Carla
Carla Paterno-Cappiello Golden, a great-granddaughter of Dr. Charles V. Paterno, began documenting her family legacy in 2020 as a gift to her daughter Marabella. She has so far catalogued 164 Manhattan structures, numerous structures in The Bronx, and several family estates outside the city. Her descriptions of each structure are augmented by photographs, renderings, documents, and newspaper clippings. Carla's research can be accessed at http://PaternoArchitecture.com.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Samuel Rodriguez & Steve Rossi for Sotheby’s International Realty
Categories: Virtual, Landmarks