What we’re about
OVERVIEW
This is a group for people either new to New York City, or have called the city home for awhile and are interested in discovering new neighborhoods and learning more about the city's fascinating history, architecture and culture. Most of our activities are professionally-guided walks of 3 - 5 miles within a NYC neighborhood that has distinct and unique qualities. They usually last from 2 to 4 hours. We sometimes have an optional social hour afterwards for a meal and/or a beverage at a local restaurant.
During the summer months we usually combine a walk with a free outdoor concert, often in the evenings. During the winter we'll have shorter outdoor walks coupled with a museum visit.
I also organize theme tours to add some spice and variety to honor holidays or famous New Yorkers. Our events are usually free with a voluntary donation which I do appreciate as I do spend time preparing and making sure that we have a high quality and memorable experience. When we have museum visits there may be an admission charge.
I started this group because I am a native New Yorker and have a successful dual career as a professional tour guide and real estate agent and I am affiliated with the prestigious Corcoran Group, which was started by pioneering entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran. I had a 25-year career as a social worker, including work in the South Bronx and throughout Brooklyn, and served on the teaching faculty of Columbia University, Fordham University, New School University, Hunter College and NYC Technical College.
I have a B.A, in English and a Master's Degree in Social Work, and have also been an exhibited visual artist with a focus on experimental and landscape photography. I love to introduce people to new neighborhoods and explore their past, present and future and also welcome the opportunity to learn from others. With the fast-pace of life here it is easy to overlook the hidden treasures and iconic buildings that we pass by every day. While I have a repertoire of touring a good 80 neighborhoods, I especially love Harlem (where I spent my formative years) due its many different areas, amazing history and beautiful architecture. Other favorites include the West Village, Lower Manhattan (where the City's history began), Flatiron/Gramercy, Upper West Side, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, Long Island City, the East Village and Washington Heights.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
Your participation in the activities of Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods acknowledges that you are solely responsible for your own assessment of your abilities and your physical fitness and health to participate in that activity.
As I have resumed in-person tours, proof of full vaccination is required to participate. You should also be physically fit and be able to walk several miles at a moderate pace.
There are always inherent risks that can cause or lead to injury, property damage, illness *including the coronavirus*, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others when participating in an activity. Some, but not all of these risks include: hazardous and unpredictable ground, water or weather conditions, traffic conditions, misjudgments made by the leader or a participant, the potential that a participant or others may act carelessly or recklessly, etc. etc.
Hank Orenstein and Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods cannot assure a participant’s safety or eliminate any of these risks. The participant is voluntarily participating in our activities with knowledge of these risks, and therefore the participant must accept full responsibility for the inherent and other risks (both known and unknown) of these activities, and for any injury, damage, death or other loss suffered by the participant.
By joining any event conducted by Hank Orenstein/Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods, the participant agrees to release and indemnify Exploring NYC History and Neighborhoods and/or Hank Orenstein with regard to any and all claims, liabilities, suits, or expenses (including reasonable costs and attorney’s fees) for any injury, property damage, illness including the coronavirus, emotional trauma, disability or death to participants or others in any way connected with the participation in an activity.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- A Juneteenth Holiday History Tour From Manhattan to BrooklynAfrican Burial Ground National Monument, New York, NY
Join us on Monday, June 19th the observed holiday (City, State and Federal) for Juneteenth. RSVPs opened on Wednesday, June 4th at 9:00pm. This tour is free with an optional donation to your guide. Space is set aside for new group members and those landing on the waiting list who have yet to attend more than one events. If this applies to you, please email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot.
Note change of start time to 3:30pm as the Indoor Visitor Center with Restrooms will close at 4:00pm. Highly recommended are the exhibits inside (opens at 10am), you can easily spend 30-45 minutes.
Note that this is a National Monument with free admission and you will pass through metal detectors. Address is 290 Broadway between Duane and Reade Streets ,1.5 blocks north of Chambers Street.
More information here:
https://www.nps.gov/afbg/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm
Event on Juneteenth:Tour Meeting Location at 4:00pm: Outside of 290 Broadway - between Duane and Reade Streets.
To Bring: Snacks, water to drink, sun protection, additional subway ride. This is a 3 hour + experience that entails about 4 miles of walking.ABOUT JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States which existed for well over hald of this country's history going back to the 1600s. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th of that year that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. On June 17, 2021 President Biden signed into law a bill making June 19th a federal holiday. In 2022 NYC Mayor Adams declared that Juneteenth will be a paid city holiday.OVERVIEW
Neighborhoods briefly visited: Five Points Chinatown), Tribeca, Civic Center, Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights.
As we recount the background of the Juneteenth holiday, we'll visit a number of historic sites in Brooklyn and Manhattan. While Manhattan became a leading force in the movement against slavery, Brooklyn, during part of the 19th century, essentially became sanctuary city in which blacks and whites played leaderships roles in combatting slavery sometimes at risk risk to their lives and livelihoods.NYC's history with regarding to slavey is quite complex: On one hand it became the most active city in the country with respect combatting slavery and in challenging the Fugitive Slave Act allowing recapturing escapees in free states like New York. On the other hand, NYC business interests were profiting from slavery due to their relationships with textiles and sugar that were produced in the south and shipped north for processing and manufacturing. We'll cover this fascinating history as we visit other sites including:
4:00pm: Where We Start - 290 Broadway Entrance - Indoor Museum. We will see the outdoor portion when we start our walk or check it our if you arrive early (around the corner on Duane Street).
The African Burial Ground National Monument (pictured above), the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. Arrive earlier if you like if you would like to spend more time: https://www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm
There are restrooms which you should definitely use before we startAfter about a 30-40 minute self-guided visit, we'll continue on to key anti-slavery sites in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, including the site of the first church established by people of African descent. We'll also visit locations related to 18th century slave rebellions and the site of one the largest 18th century slave markets in the northeast United States,
On to Brooklyn
We'll take a short subway ride to Downtown Brooklyn we'll make a stop at an historic Underground Railroad house that was recently saved from demolition. Still standing is the the historic Bridge Street Church building, which was used by the African Wesleyen Methodist Church congregation starting in 1854 until 1948, and played an important and active role in the anti-slavery movement. Many escaping enslaved people were housed in the basement of this building as they made their way northward to freedom.We'll traverse Downtown Brooklyn to Brooklyn Heights and end our tour at the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims which played a prominent role in the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery movement. The head minister, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, according to Abraham Lincoln, who visited this church, was "the most influential man in America."
The endpoint of the tour is convenient to the A, 2,3,4,5, and R subways. Potential afterparty at a local establishment in nearby DUMBO or Brooklyn Heights.
Your organizer and guide,
Hank
646-596-3005
