New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982355966058

“This greatest of destructive forces can be developed into a great boon, for the benefit of all mankind. The United States knows that peaceful power from atomic energy is no dream of the future. That capability, already proved, is here, now, today.” -President Eisenhower, 1953

By the mid-1940s, the concept of nuclear energy had exploded onto the global landscape, beginning a remarkable journey of scientific innovation and discovery — a journey which unfolded within the interplay of its potential for both destruction and its capacity for positive applications. How did this formidable energy source shift from a symbol of fear to a promise of peace and sustainability? It’s time to unravel the complexities of nuclear energy throughout the ages, and the discoveries bringing us one step closer to a greener future.

Join New York Adventure Club as we embark on a journey through the fascinating evolution of nuclear power, from its genesis in the mid-20th century as a potential harbinger of doom to its current status as a pivotal player in the quest for sustainable global energy solutions.

Led by historian Lucy Jane Santos, author of the forthcoming book Chain Reactions: The Hopeful History of Uranium, our captivating virtual experience will include:

• An overview of the origins of nuclear energy including the groundbreaking discoveries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that paved the way for harnessing the power within the atom
• A dive into the first era of nuclear innovation, from harnessing atomic power for military purposes to the development of the first nuclear reactors
• An exploration of how nuclear technologies have shaped international relations, energy policies, and environmental considerations
• How grassroots campaigning groups and international organizations dedicated to fighting the development of nuclear energy were formed and the campaigns they focused on
• The Atomic Age in pop culture from memorabilia to the big screen
• The challenges faced by the nuclear energy industry, including safety concerns, political controversies, and the potential breakthroughs that could redefine the role of nuclear energy in addressing global challenges like climate change and sustainable energy demands

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A session with Lucy — 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 Lucy
Lucy Jane Santos is an expert in the history of 20th-century leisure, health, and beauty.

After completing a BA in Egyptian Archaeology and an MA in Arts and Heritage Management Lucy worked for several private members clubs and societies in London including The Arts Club, the Authors’ Club, and the International Wine and Food Society.

She has been a judge for the Historical Writers’ Association Non-Fiction Crown, the recipient of the Stephen Joseph Research Award and was the Non-Fiction Writer In Residence for the Stay-at-Home! International Literature Festival (2020). She is a founder of the Art Deco Society UK and co-founder of the Cosmetic History and Makeup Studies Network.
Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium is Lucy’s debut book and was shortlisted for the 2021 BSHS Hughes Prize, for books that bring scholarship to new readers by capturing the public imagination while conforming to the rigorous standards of academic research. Her next book, which is a history of the element uranium, will be published in 2024.

Lucy also works as a freelance historical researcher and consultant.

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Photo Credit: Main - Lukáš Lehotský
Categories: Virtual, Moments in History

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1983772795834

In the early 20th century, the Woolworth Building in downtown Manhattan not only dominated the NYC skyline, but also held the title of "tallest building in the world" for over 17 years. What secrets lie behind its towering limestone and terracotta façade? Now’s your chance to step inside one of New York’s most breathtaking interiors — a hidden architectural marvel that's been off-limits to the public since 2020 (until now).

Join New York Adventure Club for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Woolworth Building — commissioned by retail magnate Frank Woolworth in 1910 to house his company’s corporate headquarters, this neo-Gothic style skyscraper designed by architect Cass Gilbert laid claim to the world’s tallest building from its opening in 1913 until 1930.

Led by licensed NYC tour guides and Woolworth Building experts Bob Gelber or Ed Welter, this official experience — and the only way inside this private building — will include:

• The story behind the “Cathedral of Commerce,” from its creation by retail magnate F.W. Woolworth to its groundbreaking design by Cass Gilbert
• A look at the exterior’s intricate terracotta façade, rich with neo-Gothic ornamentation and symbolic details
• A private tour of the soaring lobby, with its marble-clad walls, vaulted ceilings, and hidden symbols embedded in the architecture
• A visit to the subterranean vault, where the building’s original safe deposit boxes are tucked beneath its towering frame
• A special trip to the mezzanine balcony, offering a close-up view of the vaulted mosaic ceiling, richly inspired by the opulence and patterns of the Byzantine Empire

See you there!

*There are no public restrooms on the tour, so please plan accordingly
**This tour is limited to the lobby and first sub-level
***Please refrain from wandering around the lobby before, during, or after the tour

About Bob
After retiring from the New York State Court System, Bob Gelber became a licensed New York City tour guide to share his deep knowledge and passion for his hometown. Over the past twelve years, he has led visitors through neighborhoods many tourists overlook, while also serving as a docent at the Woolworth Building and volunteering at both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Open House New York. A longtime member of the Guides Association of New York City, Bob has served on its Board of Directors and several key committees. From Central Park to the Lower East Side — and even chocolate-themed walks through SoHo — Bob brings history to life with every step.

About Ed
With over four decades of experience in construction and nearly 15 years in the tourism world, Ed Welter brings a unique perspective to New York City's built environment. After starting his guiding career at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 2010, Ed went on to become a senior docent and trainer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, where he has been sharing the site’s powerful story since its earliest days. A licensed NYC tour guide since 2012, Ed also led Woolworth Building tours from 2014 until their pause in 2020 — and is excited to return as the tour program resumes with New York Adventure Club. His deep knowledge and passion have guided countless tours across Lower Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall Park, including topics like the Five Points, the African Burial Grounds, and the history of terrorism in New York.

Testimonials
"The tour of the lobby was full of secrets and mysteries and astonishing design. The lobby tour guide was kind, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable." -Simon
"Very informational. Knowledgeable lobby tour guide." -Jacqueline
"The guide was very knowledgeable and history interesting. My first with adventure club, not the last. I enjoyed it very much." -Judy
"...The guide was great… provided just enough information and stories, answered questions… and best of all really enjoyed seeing this iconic building up close! Wonderful event. Just the right amount of time." -Aimee
"A fascinating combination of history, architecture and biography in a magnificent building. The guide was exceptional." -Beth
"Informative on architecture, history, and history of Woolworth himself. Also notable comments on the strains between Woolworth and his architect, Cass Gilbert. Excellent speaker, humorous, personal, and interested in all facets of the building." -Margaret
"The history and love that went into building this magnificent building" -Jojo
"The information about Woolworth himself and the history of the 5 and 10 business was particularly good. Makes me want to learn more. Of course, just getting access was a treat. It's kind of a hidden treasure." -Leandro
"It was highly informative and the guide was engaging." -E
"Didn’t realize that this beautiful building was not open to the public so it was very special. Also the building was awesome. Guide was terrific." -Murray
"The guide was so knowledgeable, explained everything in an interesting way, was patient with questions and managed the group well. It was outstanding!!" -Betsy
"Tour guide's knowledge of the subject." -Lucien

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1982355981103

Few landmarks capture the heart of a city like Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece rising anew from the ashes of tragedy. But what stories lie hidden in the streets of Paris, where centuries of architecture stand as a testament to the city's vibrant history? From medieval wonders to Art Deco marvels, prepare for an unforgettable stroll through the City of Light.

Join New York Adventure Club as we celebrate the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral by embarking on a virtual exploration of Parisian architecture, uncovering the city’s most iconic styles from the Middle Ages to the Roaring Twenties.

Led by Edith de Belleville — French licensed tour guide, author, and attorney-at-law — this architectural journey through the heart of Paris will include:

• A close look at Notre-Dame Cathedral, its medieval splendor, and the breathtaking stained glass that has awed visitors for centuries
• Fascinating stories of Louis XIV, Marie-Antoinette, and Napoleon as revealed through Paris’s historic buildings
• The untold story of how the Eiffel Tower nearly didn’t come to be
• A deeper understanding of the differences between Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture
• The origins of Paris stone and how it shaped the city’s timeless elegance
• Insights into how French kings used architecture as a powerful political statement
• How Thomas Jefferson drew inspiration from Parisian design for Monticello in Virginia

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A session with Edith — 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 Edith
Edith de Belleville is a native Parisian woman. She is a licensed tour guide, lawyer, author and a qualified French teacher for foreigners. She wrote a book about Beautiful Rebels of Paris in French ("Belles et Rebelles" , Éditions du 81) She is also a professor and teaches the Jewish heritage in Paris at Gustave Eiffel University (Marne-la-Vallée) She just published a new book in English about her memoirs in Paris "Parisian Life, adventures in the City of Light." And she spends so much time at Le Louvre and Orsay Museum that it's her second home.

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981587742280

What if a single museum could tell the entire story of Western art — not just through its paintings, but through its architecture, gardens, and carefully curated interiors? Inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art lies a treasure trove of masterpieces that trace the evolution of Western creativity, from the sacred stillness of medieval chapels to the bold energy of modern cityscapes. It's time to embark on an epic visual journey through time as we uncover the hidden narratives, artistic breakthroughs, and cultural forces behind one of the world’s most extraordinary museum collections.

Join New York Adventure Club for a five-part series exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s world-class collection of Western Art — each session highlighting a distinct era and theme within this extraordinary institution. In Part Three: The Gilded Age, we’ll turn our attention to the American Wing to explore how artists, architects, and designers helped define a new American identity during a time of dramatic social and cultural change.

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

• A tour of the Charles Engelhard Court, featuring Tiffany windows, a Vanderbilt mansion fireplace, and the original Diana from Madison Square Garden
• Romantic landscape paintings by Hudson River School artists, including Albert Bierstadt and Frederic Edwin Church
• Artistic reflections on the Civil War era, expressed through powerful paintings and sculptures
• Early modernists like Winslow Homer and Thomas Eakins, whose works pushed American painting in bold new directions
• A look at American Impressionists, including Mary Cassatt and John Singer Sargent
• Urban realism from New York’s Ashcan School, capturing gritty scenes of everyday city life
• Fully reconstructed period interiors, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s living room from the F.W. Little House

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Sylvia — 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!

The Met's Western Art Collection Series
Part 1: The Cloisters (Thursday, February 26 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 2: Nature & Landscape (Thursday, March 5 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 3: The Gilded Age (Thursday, March 12 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 4: Impressionism (Thursday, March 19 @ 5:30pm ET)
Part 5: NYC in Modern Art (Thursday, March 26 @ 5:30pm ET)

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.

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