'NYC's Public Pools: A History of Gotham's Local Summer Escape' Webinar
Details
Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)
Click the link below to officially register for this experience:
When the weather heats up, you can expect thousands of New Yorkers of all different ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds to dive into one of the city's many public pools scattered around the five boroughs. But how did New York go from having zero public pool facilities less than a century ago to more than 60 featuring everything from olympic-sized swimming pools to free swimming activities and lessons? It's time to explore the rise, fall, and resurgence of New York's public pool system and its positive social and political impact on urban life on the local and national stage.
Join New York Adventure Club as we take a deep dive into the unique history of outdoor pools and their place in NYC public life over the past 100 years.
Led by Nora Cronin — President of Team New York Aquatics and adjunct professor at the City University of New York — our journey through the history of New York's public pools will include:
- The origin story of public pools in New York City and how it came about with the public health movement of the early 20th century
- The rise in popularity of public bathhouses as destinations for socializing and recreation
- A discussion of 11 state-of-the-art outdoor recreation centers built by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, courtesy of a public building collaboration between New York Mayor LaGuardia and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses
- The positive impacts of these massive pool and recreation facilities, from becoming diverse and integrated community hangouts to safe places to learn to swim
- The decline of New York City's pools during the suburbanization movement of the mid-20th century, and failed attempts to increase their popularity
- The revitalization of public pools in the modern era and how technology will shape the future of new pools in New York and beyond
Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Nora — any and all questions about New York's public pool history 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 Nora
Nora Cronin is the President of Team New York Aquatics Board of Directors and a member and coach of their artistic swimming team, who have performed at NYC’s outdoor public pools. In the second half of her amphibious life, Nora is a public interest attorney and adjunct professor at CUNY whose research interests focus on public policy—particularly how policy effects women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Landmarks
'NYC's Public Pools: A History of Gotham's Local Summer Escape' Webinar