It’s doubtful that any Untapped readers need to be reminded about the importance of historic preservation and the unique layers of history hidden throughout New York, but if anyone needs a refresher she should spend some time with Joe Svehlak, a New York tour guide extrodinaire, and leader of the Municipal Art Society’s “Downtown Connections” tour on Sunday. Joe, a spry 72, has spent over 15 years at MAS, and before that he grew up in downtown New York and was a bike messenger there for many years. He answered every question we put to him, and did so with palpable enthusiasm for the history of New York City. The group met at St. Paul’s Chapel, across the street from the construction site of the Fulton Center. Survival and change was the theme, as we examined a building that survived the fire of 1776 and the attacks on September 11th, and… Read More
It’s doubtful that any Untapped readers need to be reminded about the importance of historic preservation and the unique layers of history hidden throughout New York, but if anyone needs a refresher she should spend some time with Joe Svehlak, a New York tour guide extrodinaire, and leader of the Municipal Art Society’s “Downtown Connections” tour on Sunday. Joe, a spry 72, has spent over 15 years at MAS, and before that he grew up in downtown New York and was a bike messenger there for many years. He answered every question we put to him, and did so with palpable enthusiasm for the history of New York City. The group met at St. Paul’s Chapel, across the street from the construction site of the Fulton Center. Survival and change was the theme, as we examined a building that survived the fire of 1776 and the attacks on September 11th, and… Read More