Historic Places in NYC

New York City has it all. The city that never sleeps also happens to have an incredible history. From the best foods to nightclubs and excursions, one thing that is commonly overlooked is the historic places in New York City. With that comes hundreds of years of advancements and the community that helped shape NYC. If you love history and are fascinated with the beginnings of the greatest city in the world, then you’re going to want to listen up! 

Historic Places in NYC If You Want to Connect With the Afterlife

1. Greenwood Cemetery: Hidden in Brooklyn lies a 200-year-old cemetery so historic that it shaped America’s past and its future. Founded in 1838, Green-Wood Cemetery is a 478-acre National Historic Landmark, and by the 1860s, it became the most prestigious place to be buried. With many notable people buried here like Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine, Leonard Bernstein-composer and conductor, best known for West Side Story, Samuel Morse- Inventor of the telegraph and Morse code, Charles Ebbets -owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers and namesake of Ebbets Field, and Boss Tweed from history class, a corrupt politician during the Gilded Age who taught the Irish everything they needed to know to get political power. There’s so much history embedded in Brooklyn soil, and you can check this out for free! For my nature lovers and history buffs, Green-Wood Cemetery is perfect for bird watching and remembering the largest battle of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Brooklyn. Despite losing to the British, George Washington’s daring nighttime retreat across the East River to Manhattan saved the Continental Army from total destruction, allowing the revolution to continue, which led to our independence today. Green-Wood Cemetery is perfect for a FREE self-guided walking tour. They also offer guided trolley tours and tons of events year-round, yes, even in the winter, so tag someone you’d like to go with and follow them for more! 
2. Trinity Church: Now most known for the forever resting place of Alexander Hmailgon and Angelica Schuyler, it has been a church since 1697. That’s over three centuries of bringing the community together. You can also visit the Soldiers’ Monument, honoring American Revolution veterans at the Trinity Church Burial. Look at Trinity Church’s art, architecture through Trinity talks, ensembles, and music education! Definitely worth checking out!. 
3. Catacombs: Paris may just be the most popular destination to see the Catacombs, but did you know that you can see them in NYC? From underground burial chambers to vaults of famous New Yorkers, catacomb tours are a unique experience for history buffs. They offer candlelight tours that are so informative and a great way to see New York from a different perspective.

Historic Homes in Brooklyn & Manhattan

1. Lefferts House: One of the oldest homes in Brooklyn, this 18th-century Flatbush farmhouse and New York City landmark, takes you back in time with activities and events that pay homage to “the living legacies of the Indigenous people of Lenapehoking and the Africans enslaved by the Lefferts family”.
2. Hendrick I Lott House: The Hendrick I. Lott House in Brooklyn, NY, takes you back in time to before the beginnings of the United States. This Dutch farmhouse was one of the major producers of yield that fed New York City, yes, back when NYC was farmland and not just skyscrapers. The same funneling of a circle with people from the outer boroughs commuting to the city, supporting businesses, and the American dream, is still happening today. It’s why the NYC Subway doesn’t have many modes of transportation from Brooklyn to Queens, vice versa, and Queens to the Bronx- it mostly goes through Manhattan. Among a few other homes, the Hendrick I. Lott House is one of the last standing Historic homes that gives us a glimpse into the daily life of early Brooklyn settlers in the 18th century. It’s a beautiful piece of history that we are so fortunate to have preserved thanks to the work of the Historic Homes Trust & the NYC Parks Department. Check it out here and see the full post https://thebrooklyniteabroad.com/inside-the-hendrick-i-lott-house/
3. Other houses like the Old Stone House & Wycoff House are perfect tributes to the beginnings of Brooklyn and a great way to learn about the history.
4. Historic Homes in Manhattan: Places like the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Manhattan’s oldest surviving residence), Dyckman Farmhouse &Van Cortlandt House & Park offer great insight into how life was in the 1700s. The Historic House Trust puts on great events at an affordable price, too.

Historic Landmarks in NYC You Must Visit

1. Brooklyn Bridge: Known as the first suspension bridge in the world and one of the most iconic places, the Brooklyn Bridge is a must-visit. Just be cognizant that it gets super crowded, so either go early in the morning or late at night! I will say that going around sunset is nice as well, so it’s really up to you and your tolerance for crowds.
2. Ellis Island: It is more important now than ever to remember that our country was and still is built on the backs of hardworking immigrants. Known for helping 12 million immigrants with a chance at the American dream, travel back in time and see what immigrants’ experiences were for a shot at a better life. Look through the archival records of immigrants and see if any of your families are on the list. It’s an incredible tribute and an eye-opening museum you must visit. There’s no place like it. 

There You Have It

If you love history, I told you this list was going to be music to your ears. This guide to the historic places in New York City has all you need to know to look at NYC from a different perspective. Not just for its skyscrapers but for its culture, history, and community that have been cultivated here. Getting a glimpse into NYC’s history adds another layer to finding out why New Yorkers are a unique set of individuals. It took a lot of character to build something from nothing, and there’s no better place to see that unfold than through this guide. 

Veronica

Hi everyone! My name is Veronica, but you can also call me Vee! I grew up in the iconic city of Brooklyn, NY, the cultural hub of the world, and hence learned about so many different cultures. It was those experiences that inspired me to travel and from then on, I had learned the power of travel. In return, I want to give others that same experience, to help inspire others to unleash their inner travel enthusiast no matter the trip.

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