Wednesday, March 26, 2008

A Day In Lower Manhattan

Every now and then I take a day trip by subway, or express bus, into downtown Manhattan from my home in Brooklyn, NY, which is one of the five boroughs that comprise New York
City.

I've lived in Brooklyn my entire life, and yes, I have a Brooklyn accent which is recognized everywhere, especially if I say a word that ends with an "r" or an "a," as Brooklynites seem to interchange the sound of those letters in the pronunciation of a word -- much to my chagrin!

I guess the Brooklyn accent is also something we embrace with a little moxie, as you can see from one of the traffic signs our Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, had erected at traffic exits from Brooklyn. Yes, Brooklynites really do say: "Fuhgeddaboudit"! Especially when we answer the question: "Howya doin?"



If you look at the picture above, which was taken years ago from the observational deck of the NYC World Trade Center, Twin Towers building 2, the bridge on the right is the famous Brooklyn Bridge which connects Brooklyn to lower Manhattan over the East River.

My husband works in downtown Manhattan on the 44TH floor of the building below.
When I visit we usually meet for lunch, and then I'll spend some time shopping, or browsing bookstores, or just walking around enjoying the local sights until the end of his workday, and then we'll commute together back home.


Lower Manhattan is such a wonderful blend of old and new architecture, as you can see from the pictures below. I love to wander around and explore all its nooks and crannies.


This is India House, built in 1854, it originally was built for the Hanover Bank. This brownstone structure subsequently housed the New York Cotton Exchange and W. R. Grace & Co., and today it functions as a club and restaurant.

Across the street from India House is Hanover Square Park which has been designated as the British Memorial Garden; a gift from the British community and it's American friends to honor of the memory of the 67 British victims of the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001.
The park is still under construction and promises to be a pleasant place for local workers and residents to gather on a nice day.

The British Memorial Garden was dedicated on November 1, 2005, by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, along with his wife, Her Royal Highness Princess of Cornwall. See the picture below of the Prince holding the center stone for the park, which contains his heraldic emblem and the words "Ich Dien," which means "I Serve."


Many historical events in America's history have taken place in lower Manhattan.

The pictures above are of Federal Hall where on this site on April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath to become the first President of The United States, and this site was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. The current structure, a Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. Now the building serves as a museum and a memorial to our first president.
Not far from Federal Hall is the seat of the American economy, Manhattan's Financial District. It contains Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.



Because of the unfortunate events of 9/11, all of New York City has increased security, and it is easy to see it's visible signs such as streets rimmed with heavy metal posts to prevent trucks from plowing into a building as seen in the picture below.


Or bomb-sniffing dogs and police with assault rifles on watch, especially in the high profile areas around Wall Street.


As we leave Wall Street we approach Trinity Church, one of the oldest churches in the United States, and where Episcopalians have worshipped since the land was purchased in 1697. The original church on the site, which was constructed in 1698, burned during the American Revolutionary War, and saw the official end of the conflict, and is also the resting place of many martyrs of the revolution, including Alexander Hamilton.

In my next blog I'll take you on a walk through Trinity Church's the very interesting cemetery, and show you more pictures from my day in lower Manhattan. Bookmark and Share

16 comments:

Cape Cod Washashore said...

You've posted some beautiful photos of NYC!!! One of my most favorite places!!! I read the book "1776" and the way NYC was described made it sound so sparse and barron compared to what it is now.

Tara said...

Pat

Some great pics! Having my son in NYC now for college has made us go in more!! It really is a great place and he is having the time of his life (he really doesn't come home much!!)

His campus has tons of security all over the place, something I really like as a Mom butu really a result of the Towers event.

My Dad was an ironworker on the towers in the 70s for years as it took quite a while to build both!

Loving the tour! Very sorry to hear about your cutie cat! Hugs to you!
:0)
Tara

Rue said...

I loved that tour! I've been to New York twice, but didn't have time to tour it like that. I almost felt like I was there. Thank you and I can't wait to see the rest :)

Also thank you for not only the complementary words about my kitchen, but especially for the kind words about my husband. Thank you so very much.

Have a great night and hugs back,
Rue :)

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat!
Your photos and info on Manhattan are wonderful! I feel like I'm going on a trip to NYC. It's one of the places that my daughter-in-law and I want to visit some day, just haven't made it there yet. So I'll hop on your tour bus instead! Hugs, Martha, er, I mean Sherry!

Louise said...

What a great tour around this area of New York, I haven't had the chance to visit yet. What a contrast between the old and new buildings, and how they can sit together in harmony in one place. It is good to see how NY is recovering after 9/11, and those metal posts do look quite architectural, and safety for the community is paramount. I really do dislike living in these times, but this is something we have got to learn to live with. Did you get to see Prince Charles? I haven't ever seen him in real life although I did once get a fleeting glimpse of Princess Diana when she visited our area, back in the early days of her marriage with Charles. x

Junie Moon said...

What a delightful tour. I did not know 97% of the information you shared which made it extra fun to read this post. I look forward to learning more.

Mrs. B said...

Great post. I love accents, and hearing local sayings. I love hearing them when I travel. Last year we went to Boston and I just loved listening to people talk.

Wonderful pictures. I've never been to NYC, but I so want to go!

Michelle said...

Pat,
What WONDERFUL pictures of NYC. The last time I was in NYC, I was a little kid~you've made me want to visit again. Thanks for the tour.

Michelle

Vee said...

Gosh you do some of the most amazing commentary. Your words flow! I love that there's a bit of a small community flavor right in the center of Manhattan. The skyscrapers are grand, but that old architecture has a grandeur all its own.

I'll be back tomorrow for Part 2!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi! Thank you so much for the tour of NY...I would love to visit some day. You are so lucky to live so close. I would love to shop in bookstores and browse around...
Hugs,
Penny

PAT said...

Thank you so much, Pat, for this wonderful post. I loved all the photos. They're fabulous!

I just want to say, how sorry I am to hear of your loss of Pepper. Such a beautiful family member.

Pat

Lenka said...

Dear, dear Pat – thank you so much for letting us walk next to you thru the city! I enjoyed every step, every view, and of course I love your Brooklyn’ accent! So rich and colorful! I am amazed, how much you love you city! I am looking forward for the next your post – I want to see more!… Oh, thank you!

Susie Q said...

Oh wow...just beautiful. I love NYC and the surrounding area. I would be there every month if I had the chance. heck, I would LIVE there if my husband would agree to it!

We were there last year in the Spring and I hope to get back again soon.

Thanks for sharing this with us...

Hugs,
Sue

Smalltown RN said...

Wow fabulous photos and the history behind them all...nevering being to New York this was a real treat...thank you....also thanks for stopping by my blog....

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Wow! Thanks for the great tour! I can't wait for more!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing. Been a while since I've been in the big apple, about time to come back for a visit.