This tour features mostly history and some architecture along with some interesting pictures and stories that will help us understand the ordeal experienced by the 19th century Irish immigrants on the Lower East Side.
Meet At: Northeast corner Houston and Broadway
R Trains to Prince St. or #6 Train to Bleeker St. or F Train to Broadway and Lafayette St.
This walking tour of the past and present includes
:
A walk through
a neighborhood that was once Irish, changed into Little Italy and part of which is now called NOLITA (northern Little Italy) and part of the "old" Chinatown that was in fact part of the older Five Points neighborhood. One of the early stops on the tour is the old St. Patrick's Cathedral (1st cathedral in NY) and the last stop is St. Peter's Church (the earliest Catholic congregation in New York City) located near City Hall Park. Each participant is given an itinerary with 22 stops that include 16 New York City landmarks and 13 National Landmarks. All stops are fully discussed along with
some history about the early Irish American community, the flood of Irish immigrants that followed after 1845, the Know Nothings and nativist mobs and signs saying "No Irish Need Apply."
Other Highlights on the Tour Are
:
Manhattan's oldest row house originally the Edward Mooney Residence
The landmark Cable Bldg.- find out about cable cars in Manhattan & Thomas Fortune Ryan
The landmark Puck Building and its distasteful connection with Irish history
The only skyscraper in New York designed by Louis Sullivan
"Boss Tweed" his connection to the Irish Five Points neighborhood and the Tweed Courthouse
A landmark example of a one family Federal style, artisan home from 1816
New York City's first central police headquarters for the 5 boroughs
The Astor Memorial School from 1889 and The Children's Aide Society
Alfred E. Smith, where he lived
The site of the Catholic Workers Headquarters in the 1930's and 40's - Dorothy Day
Church of St. James, where the 1st branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in New York was formed And where Alfred E. Smith was an altar boy
St. James Church School where Alfred E. Smith attended grammar school
Mulberry bend and examples of a "dumbbell tenement"
New York City's first slum, The Five Points - the first time the term "slum" was used?
Find out about the site of the Collect Pond and how Paradise Square turned into the infamous Five Points neighborhood
Find out where the Five Points was and what the name represented - and much more
Find out about the Old Brewery where it was located and replaced by the the Five Points Mission
Find out about the Five Points House of Industry
Find out about, Pete Williams Place, Charles Dickens and Master Juba
New York City's first mayor was Irish and New York City's most popular mayor was Irish
Find out about Foley Square and Big Tom Foley
The Church of the Transfiguration, a landmark, fieldstone church, built in 1802
Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank & the Emigrant Aide Society
The Marble Palace created by an Irish immigrant who became a millionaire
St. Paul's Chapel and Thomas A. Emmett and William MacNeven
St. Peter's Church
Option: several block walk to the "Irish Hunger Memorial"
About 3½ or about 4 hours with the optional stop
Escorted by Alfred Pommer an
informative native New Yorker, a college graduate and a Licensed New York City guide, who has spent over 20 years researching, creating and leading walking tours in Manhattan's many diverse neighborhoods.
Interested in a Private Walking Tour" ?
Call: (212) 979-2388 for details www.nycwalk.com Or : Click Here for advance ticket sales