New York Adventure Club

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1474600061479

*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*

While the American frontier holds a mythical space in many of our imaginations as a romantic and liberating destination, it was truly anything but. The California Gold Rush of the 1840s and '50s attracted hundreds of thousands of able-bodied men looking to strike it rich, which sprouted small shanty towns around the West seemingly overnight — most ridden with violence, disease, runaway criminals, and brothels. But what was it like to live in one of these towns, and how accurately are they portrayed in movies and pop culture? It's time to explore a wild and lawless period in American history.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the stories and remnants of former "Wild West" towns during the Gold Rush years, which attracted everyone from miners and businessmen, to cowboys and criminals, to everyone in between looking for new opportunities.

Led by American West born-and-bred photographer Julien McRoberts, our virtual road trip through the ghost towns of the Wild West will include:

• A brief overview of the Gold Rush and subsequent mining boom, such as Nevada's Comstock Lode, which was the first major silver discovery in the United States
• A discussion around some of the West’s most famous cast of characters, including the beloved madame Julia Bulette, notorious gunman Billy the Kid, and infamous female gunslinger Belle Star
• What life was like in small towns throughout the West, from basic hygiene to the unforgiving landscape
• Photographs of the remnants of Wild West ghost towns, from Bodie, California — one of the most authentic (and haunted) ghost towns in the West — to Tombstone, Arizona — where the legendary shootout at the O.K. Corral took place
• Bonus pictures from some of Julien’s other favorite Wild West destinations to visit, including curated resources for researching and visiting these desert locals

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 Julien
Julien McRoberts is a lifestyle brand and editorial photographer/producer based in New York City. Her unique ability to capture intimate cultural moments, places, and people has garnered her a wide variety of clients, including National Geographic Traveler, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Arizona Highways Magazine, USA Today Magazine, Sunset Magazine, Variety, Marie Claire UK, and more.
Much of Julien's work conveys a sense of the stolen glance, from the bustle of the streets of New York City to ancient Native American rituals. Born in the American West, this world is hardly foreign to Julien. “I have the West in my blood but feel equally as home in a fast-paced city environment,” she says. Her website is www.julienmcroberts.com.

Testimonials
"Great speaker with interesting stories and great slides." -Barry
"The host was informative and entertaining and knowledgeable." -Marsha
"The range of topics covered in the event were all distinct but all within the same general theme- very interesting stuff. The photos (both historical and personal/modern) and use of maps were great visual supplements to the talk as well as the recommendations for places to visit to learn more. The host was very knowledgeable and did a great job of presenting the information in a fun and engaging way." -Emily
"Great host! Great visuals! The host was very knowledgeable about the subject matter." -Nancy
"I like the wonderful photography. You did a great job on that plus fitting them in the slide show." -Bruce
"The organization was stellar. The photographs were terrific." -Juani
"The presenter was so knowledgeable. And she had a great collection of photos." -Virginia
"Good pace, well organized, smooth and highly engaging." -Gregory
"Great photos and interesting subject." -Katherine
"Lots of interesting information. Well organized." -Susan
"I enjoyed seeing photos I had not seen before." -Grace
"The visuals were terrific! They really complimented the lecture." -Linda
"Very well organized material and interesting way of presenting. The travel tips were a great bonus to the historical information. Wonderful pictures!" -Bambi
"Lots of interesting stories and photos." -Jeffrey
"Everything. The presenter was so extremely knowledgeable about the topic. She brought the history of the wild west to life." -Muriel
"Thorough background and the tour of the three state's ghost towns to visit." -Evelyn
"Neat and very different stories I had never heard before and really enjoyed." -Eileen
"Upbeat, informative with lots of info in a short period of time. Loved the information provided by the presenter on how we can look up Ghost town sites on an interactive map by state. The presenter had a very natural flow when talking, she enjoyed the subject." -Leslie
"A lot of good historical info- it moved right along- good photos." -Sara
" As someone who has travelled these areas several times, content of the presentation was very informative and it flowed seamlessly." -Renee
" I liked the wide variety of topics covered about the old West." -Robert
" It was fantastic with a great speaker who actually enjoyed the presentation. Her personal pictures were great." -Cynthia
" Julien McRoberts is a very good presenter. She packs a lot of information into a minimal amount of time, and she wastes none of it. I learned a lot, and there's also practical info about how to see some of these places yourself. The roadtrip maps at the end were great!" -Aleisa
" The presenter was terrific. I also enjoyed the photographs." -Shalom
" Covered a wide variety of topics" -Jean
"The presenter shared a lot of great info" -Melaine

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/1474600171809

*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*

From the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s to thousands of Jewish children in the late 1930’s, London's neighborhood of East End has been at the center of its immigration story for generations. But how and why did this particular neighborhood take in wave after wave of people looking for a better life, and what role does it serve today? Through a mix of powerful images, video, and even Google Street View, it's time to explore London's Old East End like never before.

Join New York Adventure Club on a two-part series that uncovers the history of London's East End. In Part One: A History of Immigration, we'll explore one of the city's most fascinating, dynamic, and historic districts through the mid-20th century, which has served as the final destination for countless immigrants throughout the past several hundred years.

Led by award winning London Blue Badge Tour Guide Pepe Martinez, our virtual exploration of London’s Old East End will include:

• The discovery of Spitalfield’s Woman — one of the most complete, high ranking Roman burials ever discovered in London
• The London Jewish story, from their arrival during the Norman Conquests, to their expulsion during the reign of King Edward I (and re-admittance under Oliver Cromwell), to the mass arrival in the 1880s
• The London visit of Jack London, one of the most celebrated authors in the world at the time, who decided to dress up as a homeless sailor and write an incredible expose whilst he lived among the poorest of the poor
• A virtual visit to Dorset Street, once the worst street in London, to "meet" one of its most famous residents and her connection to Jack the Ripper
• The French Huguenot Silk Weavers who created an industry to rival that of Paris
• A discussion around how the clearance of the Old Nichol Slum, once London's worst slum, led to one of the earliest examples of social housing in Britain

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!

About Pepe
"I was born and bred in London and have lived here all my life apart from a year traveling the world in my 20’s. My professional life began working as a stage manager, followed by 15 years as a Tour Manager leading tours of the UK, Ireland and Europe, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and The Middle and Far East. I qualified as a London Blue Badge Guide in 2011 and was honoured to receive the award for Best Overall Practical Guide. I'm a tutor on the London Blue Badge training course. In lockdown I created a virtual tour training programme which has been attended by more than 400 Institute of Tourist Guiding accredited guides around the UK.
"The Blue Badge is the highest attainable qualification for tourists guiding in the UK. London Blue Badge Guides have to pass 11 examinations before receiving their badge. The highly prestigious badge gives exclusive guiding access to many major sites in London including Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Tower of London."

London's East End Series (Re-Air)
Part 1: A History of Immigration (Friday, August 15)
Part 2: Brick Lane, Banksy, and Big Tech (Friday, August 22)

Testimonials
"Very engaging way of delivery, liked the live shots of the streets." -Olga
"Great stories of the past and I really enjoyed the little bike tour through the area he was describing past and present both." -Sharon
"Since I know nothing about London, everything was interesting!" -Paul
"The enthusiasm of Pepe Martinez is wonderful. The bike ride tours are so transportive and the wealth of knowledge imparted is quite wonderful. I think I will need the video again to catch it all. I appreciated his self-disclosing about growing up in the East End." -Elaine
"Great presentation by Julien and Pepe....as always." -Ron
"Loved that he rode his bicycle. Excellent content. Do more!" -Gerry
"Subject matter was interestingly presented. I love his bike rides between locations." -George
"All the information. The trips down the streets.-showing the buildings." -Joel
"He is clearly very knowledgeable about his subject. I'm looking forward to his future webinars. I was born and brought up in Leyton but have spent most of my life in Canada so I'm interested in learning more about East London both in the past and in the future." -Sheila
"It was a great event except that the video feeds gave me problems. I use Chrome. There would be a popup for sound but if I pressed it, the video would stop." -Joanna
"Fast paced, exciting - especially on Pepe's bike - with good info to know for next visit to London!" -Catherine
"Excellent guide who brought the history to life with the use of historic photos. Had some trouble with the videos so will watch again." -Cate
" Content and presenter! Excellent ! Keep them going!!" -Carolina
" There was incredible content. The history is amazing and Pepe presents it so well." -Annette
" The presenter pulled in videos he's made of actual walks with old photos and new, his commentary...Just excellent approach! Such a good speaker and obviously educated and informed." -Jacqueline
" This particular presenter is excellent. I especially appreciated the book recommendations. I bought two of the books already." -Kate
" Informative and interesting" -Barbara
" Font of information, lots of clues/leads to follow up on and hopefully one day explore in person, and thorough exploration of the subject." -Margaret
" The presenter was fabulous! I loved it. I thought this webinar was top drawer-just great. Can’t wait for part 2. Thank you." -Lucine
" It was on a topic I was very interested in. The presenter made the topic even more fascinating. He really knew what he was talking about. I love that we're getting this access to highly-qualified London Blue Badge tour guides!" -Marie
"Liked the info re the east end , the maps. Info was well thought out." Phyllis

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

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1474600332289

*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*

“I can resist everything. Except temptation." - Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde wasn't just a well-received writer and playwright in the 1890s — he was a sensation of his day, and arguably the creator of the modern celebrity. But how did this eccentric and flamboyant character rise to become one of London's A-list socialites in just a few short years? This is the story of one of the most popular playwrights of the 19th century, whose legacy remains as important and relevant as ever.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel back to 19th-century London to trace the life and legacy of Oscar Wilde, a famous Irish playwright who experienced incredible fame and celebrity status before seeing it all disappear in equally dramatic fashion.

Led by Simon Whitehouse — actor, award winning London Blue Badge Tour Guide, and member of the Oscar Wilde Society — our virtual experience surrounding Wilde and the "naughty (eighteen) nineties" will include:

• A virtual visit to important sites that inspired Oscar's works, from the elegant townhouses of aristocratic Mayfair, to the queer underworld, to his home and neighborhood in bohemian Chelsea
• A discussion around the forgotten St. James Theatre to relive the glittering premiere of Oscar’s most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest
• The story of Oscar's inability to ‘resist temptation,’ which led to a sensational criminal trial of the age, effectively ending his prolific career
• Still-standing locales throughout London that Oscar frequented, including a florist where he created his famous ‘green carnations’, the oldest hat shop in London where he bought a new hat (but failed to pay the bill), and a cigar merchant that still retains Oscar’s bankruptcy notice
• How Oscar’s legacy has been preserved over a century later, including his hotel suite where you can stay, a moving memorial on the platform of London’s busiest railway station, a memorial window in Westminster Abbey, and the place where you can still have a ‘conversation’ with him in the heart of London’s West End

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 Simon
Simon is an award winning London Blue Badge Guide, arts lecturer, presenter and recovering actor. He guides a wide variety of themes and subjects with a passion for theatre, literature & art history/ He has worked for the BBC, the Royal Opera House, the National Gallery, & Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & London and is currently on the faculty of Ithaca College,London Centre. Instagram @bluebadgesimon.

Testimonials
"Simon is very informative and entertaining. He should continue to pursue acting because he has a presence." -Mark
"Didn't know much about Oscar Wilde but now I want to see his plays and read his quotes!" -Rosalie
"It was entertaining as well as educational. I already knew a lot about Oscar Wilde, but i learned a good deal more from this excellent webinar." -James
" Everything!...Presenter, his in depth information...and the topic!" -Lynda
"Simon is so informative about details." -Sylvia
"I appreciate his full treatment of the person of Oscar,, the clip of Oscar on trial was performed so movingly, the history, photos, anecdotes, lots of ways to put context around Oscar so we can understand him more fully. " -Sharon
"Presenter was knowledgeable and enthusiastic." -Mary
"I liked the way Whitehouse showed buildings that can be visited today which were significant to Wilde." -Audrey
"Very well organized and informative." -Diane
" Quite interesting and entertaining" -Olga
" The presenter was very knowledgeable and engaging." -Marcia
" Very good presentation on life of Oscar Wilde." -Peter
"Simon was a very knowledgeable and engaging lecturer, with excellent slides and maps." -Harold
" Simon continues to fascinate us with his London stories, and this one was a doozy!" -Charles
" I loved Simon's obvious affection for Oscar Wilde, and I learned things I had not known about Wilde. I'm so sorry for how it all ended, and I'm glad at least his genius is noted today. I really enjoyed the movie clip w Stephen Frye giving his speech at his trial, too." -Aleisa
" I learned a ton about Wilde. thanks!!" -Jerry
" Simon, the presenter, was amazing. He dug deep into Oscar Wilde's life with empathy, drama, and of course humor." -Steve
" I have taken many NYAC webinars and enjoyed them, but Mr. Whitehouse's event was extraordinary. His presentation was beautiful and professional (I studied Victorian Lit WAY back and hadn't seen a lot of the images he used. Fabulous!). He was also a trained presenter. He moved through the information at a perfect clip, no "Ums" or "You knows." A joy to listen and absorb the information presented so professionally. Thank you!" -Vicki
" Simon is, as always, wonderfully enthusiastic, personable, and charming. The presentation was full of insights and detailed facts. Although I have taught Oscar for years, I still learned things." -Laura
" Comprehensive start to finish of his life. Also liked presenter’s background as an actor - it gave the talk a different perspective" -Diana
" He made Oscar Wilde come alive. The pictures were also interesting." -June
" Simon is very knowledgeable and told us several things that I had not heard before. He also gave us good movie and book suggestions about Oscar Wilde. Simon is always fun!" -Elizabeth
" Fabulous presenter. Multiple layers of information. Important “food for thought” Sympathetic presentation of one of the original “influencers” Would highly recommend" -Linda
" Mr. Whitehouse is a true expert in his field and he knows his geography also. A sad story about a genius told with humor and compassion." -Mark
" Simon is a wonderful, literate presenter." -Virginia
" It was very informative and educational. I learned quite a bit." -Carolyn
" 100% perfect. Simon he is the very best! Please ask him to present at least weekly!" -Angela
"Wow! What a life! Incredibly interesting!!!" -Kenda
"Simon’s depth of knowledge and passion for the subject." -Audrey
"Very organized and extremely informative." -Sandra

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/1492386731889

While the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton can be found in dozens of books, his most important moments can also be traced through the cobble-stoned streets of New York City's Financial District on Manhattan's southernmost tip. What hidden-in-plain-sight landmarks and secrets in this neighborhood shed light on Hamilton's incredible life and legacy? With the help of a retired National Park Service Ranger, it's time to hit the streets of FiDi and walk in the footsteps of Alexander Hamilton brief, but momentous life.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the historic sites and landmarks related to American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an iconic figure whose visionary ideas and indomitable spirit helped shape the America we know today.

Led by George Tonkin — a licensed NYC tour guide, and retired National Park Service Ranger with vast experience working at Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Federal Hall National Memorial — our stroll through the Financial District will include:

• A brief overview of Hamilton's childhood, from the hardships and sufferings he endured on his path to glory, to his incredible achievements leading up to his move to New York City in 1772
• A discussion about The American Revolution and the toll New York paid for Independence during the war, including how Hamilton rose from Captain of an artillery company to the right hand of Washington himself
• A visit to important landmarks and sites frequented or related to Hamilton, such as 57 Maiden Lane (site of the Compromise of 1790, also known as the “Dinner Table Bargain”), Fraunces Tavern, Bowling Green, and his grave at Trinity Church
• A stop at the Federal Hall National Monument to learn about the Federalist Period and the creation of the Federal Government of the United States
• The full scoop about the Hamilton and Burr Duel and the 15 year feud between the two men

After our experience concludes, head on over to Fraunces Tavern to purchase food and drinks at one of Hamilton's old haunts!
See you there!

*Please bring water and comfortable shoes as we’ll be on our feet for most of the tour
**This tour concludes at Trinity Church at 89 Broadway

About George Tonkin
George is an historian and presenter, who put his BA in history from New Mexico Highlands University to good use for over 30 years working as an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service. His specialty is colonial American History related to NYC. George worked at sites in the NYC area related to Alexander Hamilton.

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