Reaction to NY Historical Society

Going to the New York Historical Society was a very unique experience for me. I have always been fascinated by the kinds of people who live in the city, and I certainly love the diversity that one experiences in it. I grew up in Los Angeles, so I am used to many characters- but there truly is no city like New York. I chose to take the subway to the Society- figuring I could take the D to 59th then switch to the B and make it 81st street in 45 minutes, what I did not count on was New York being well- New York. On the subway while I was sitting down an elderly man approached me wearing a long trench coat with nothing underneath. He proceeded to flash me and then follow me around the subway car- I consider myself a jaded New Yorker, but this was certainly an unusual and fairly frightening experience. I jumped off the subway at the next stop, which luckily was 7th Avenue and once I boarded the next B train, the universe turned against me and delayed for 15 minutes between 59th and 72nd street. I ended up arriving at the society at 1:20, could not find the group and paid my own admissions fee.

Now after a morning like this I felt like I was about to give up on New York. I was infuriated with my city! I felt betrayed by the subway which I can usually count on to zoom me around the city quickly, and I felt violated by the people, who I usually get along with very well, from the most snooty socialite to the most eccentric homeless man- I usually appreciate my cities characters. I walked in to the historical society and received a breath of fresh air. I slowly wandered around the exhibition of Lafayette’s Return to Washington’s America and Here is New York: Remembering 9/11 as well as some of the permanent collections.

Seeing some of these amazing New York artifacts- especially ones from where I live- Greenwich Village- rekindled my love for the city and made me forget my horrid commute. I loved seeing the antique key to the Washington Square Arch, and the Bank Book from 1812. The relics of old New York make me wonder about who owned those items and what stories are behind them. I spent a long time looking at all the portraits and thinking of all the eccentric characters that used to live in New York and how it has evolved. I also loved the pink Keefe scarf with Washington Square on it and wish I could buy one! I ran out of time, I wonder if there was a gift shop?