New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981202686568

Over 150 years ago, one man bought an entire city block on the Upper East Side simply to protect his own property values, making it impossible for the millionaires who bought plots to build anything but "splendid" residences. And how is it that all of these years later, many of these restrictions still exist to this very day? From scenes of glittering dinner parties to a shocking murder, it’s time to hear the stories surrounding one of New York’s most unique micro-neighborhoods.

Join New York Adventure Club for a digital exploration of the majestic residences of Cook Block — situated between 78th and 79th Streets from Fifth Avenue to Madison Avenue in Manhattan, this block purchased by Henry Cook in 1879 was subject to restrictive deeds that empowered him to choose his neighbors and dictate what they erected on their lots.

Led by historian Tom Miller, our virtual lecture and showcase of one of Manhattan's most unique and historic blocks will include:

-An overview of the life of Henry Frances Cook , including what possessed him to purchase an entire city block and put restrictive aesthetic stipulations in place
-A look at the Gilded Age mansions still standing on the block , including the homes of James Duke, Stuyvesant Fish, and others

• What life was like for the wealthy families on Cook Block whose glittering lives were often touched by scandal, tragedy, and greed — sometimes the result of the very fortunes that placed them in these mansions
• Rare historic and modern photographs — inside and out — of these opulent 19th and early 20th century masterpieces by some of America’s most renowned architects.

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Tom — any and all questions about Cook Block 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 — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

About Tom Miller

Architectural and social historian Tom Miller is the author of Seeking New York , Seeking Chicago , as well as the popular blog “ Daytonian in Manhattan .” Since 2009 Tom has published a blog post on a different Manhattan location every day — now totaling more than 3,000.
His research and reporting focus as much on the social histories of the buildings — the tragedies and sorrows, triumphs and scandals of the people who built and lived in the houses — as on their architecture and styles. Tom Miller’s retelling of these stories make the buildings come alive; and suddenly they are more than brick, marble, and limestone, but the histories of real people.

Disclaimer

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981202692586

In a period not so long ago, there were palaces that lined New York’s Fifth Avenue, built by America’s rich millionaires from both "old" and "new" money. Whether it was the Astors, Vanderbilts, Fricks, or Goulds, all of them modeled their residences after the great palaces of Europe, and filled them with everything from Rembrandts to ancient velvets. It's time to go inside these palatial homes and uncover the secret splendors that took place beyond their gilded doors.

Join New York Adventure Club for a digital exploration of the magnificent mansions that once lined New York City’s Fifth Avenue, and the coveted social events that took place inside.

Led by historian Gary Lawrance, our virtual showcase of these immaculate residences, both inside and out, will include:

• The houses of Mrs. Astor, from her rather plain brownstone at 34th Street to future marble palace on 65th Street
• The marble mansion of Alexander T. Stewart, and why he was never invited over to the house of neighbor Mrs. Astor
• The William K. Vanderbilt house at 52nd Street — designed by Beaux-Arts architect Richard Morris Hunt, this mansion would forever change the style of all future townhouses
• Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s block-long house at 57th Street, the largest townhouse ever built, with a French paneled ballroom overlooking the Plaza Hotel
• Senator William Clark’s gigantic mansion at 77th Street, filled with art and meant to last forever (though demolished in only twenty years)
• Rarely seen archival photos and illustrations showcasing mansion interiors, exteriors, floor plans, and social events

Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Gary — any and all questions about these mansions 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 Gary

Architect, Author, and Historian Gary Lawrance is an architect from Stony Brook, New York. His firm, Lawrance Architectural Presentations, provides design presentations, architectural models, digital renderings, and design development services to architects, landscape architects and interior designers.

Mr. Lawrance has an extensive background in the history of Gilded Age architecture, landscapes, and society, and co-authored the bestselling book, “Houses of the Hamptons 1880-1930” with Anne Surchin (Acanthus Press 2007, Revised 3rd Printing 2013).

Mr. Lawrance’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, Newsday, New York Social Diary, Southampton Press, and more. Mr. Lawrance has written for Architectural Digest, Dan’s Papers, Quest magazine, and his two blogs, Mansions of the Gilded Age and Houses of the Hamptons in addition to founding and contributing to the two very successful Facebook groups, Mansions of the Gilded Age & The Gilded Age Society with over 160,000 members combined. Mr. Lawrance also manages two equally popular Instagram accounts, Mansions of the Gilded Age & The Gilded Age Society.

Testimonials
"The host was AMAZING!" -Frank

"Fascinating story of these great houses and their families." -Willard
"Very detailed with a knowledgeable presenter. He has a good and engaging style." -Cynthia

"The speaker was easy to understand, informative, light-hearted, & organized in his material." -Blair

"Loved all the stories and photos that I’ve not seen before. I’m an avid lover of the gilded age in New York. I’m from the Hudson Valley and these a lot of these families had other homes here. Thank you." -Amelia

"This presenter is excellent and very organized when presenting photo's and background information" -Randolph

"The depth of knowledge was impressive and the presentation was delivered with ease and accuracy." -Christine

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

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