A Tour of 19th Century Drinking Establishments
Saturday, October 13, 2012
4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
South Street Seaport area

with Evan Camp, New York City tour guide, and Rachel Klingberg of the New York 19th Century Society.

Limited to 20 participants. Click to purchase tickets.

Fraunces Tavern – 1762 54 Pearl Street In 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary War, General George Washington bid his officers a tearful farewell in this tavern. The New York Chamber of Commerce was founded here; and the departments of Foreign Affairs, Treasury and War were once located here until the capital moved from New York to Philadelphia in 1790. Throughout the 19th century, the building suffered many fires and was rebuilt extensively. Famous patrons: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay Signature drink: bourbon, scotch, whiskey, rye

Bridge Cafe – 1794 279 Water Street One of the oldest wooden buildings in Manhattan, it began as a “grocery and wine and porter bottler,” making it the oldest food/drinking establishment in continuous operation in NYC. By 1879, it was indicted by the district attorney as a ‘disorderly house’. During Prohibition, it was run as a restaurant and sold ‘cider,’ but beer was available, supplied by a Brooklyn bootlegger. The interior dates from the 1920s. Famous patrons: Hellcat Maggie, Gallus Mag, Sadie the Goat, Kate Flannery, notorious gangsters The Dead Rabbits, Daybreak Boys, assorted disreputable “river pirates and Water Street hags,” Ed Koch Signature drink: reputedly, “All Sorts”, the remnants of other customers’ drinks

Delmonico’s – 1837 2 South William Street At 11 different locations and under various owners since 1827, Delmonico’s has been at 2 South William Street from 1837–1890; 1891–1917; 1929-1977; and 1998-present. Delmonico’s chef made service a la Russe – dishes brought forth in a series of courses – popular in New York. Formerly service a la Francaise – dishes brought out all at once – was considered the height of cuisine. Many classic dishes are said to have been invented here: Delmonico Steak, Lobster Newburg, possibly Baked Alaska, Eggs Benedict, and Chicken a la King Famous patrons: Jenny Lind, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, “Diamond Jim” Brady, Lillian Russell, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, J.P. Morgan, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., Walter Scott, Nikola Tesla, Edward VII, then the Prince of Wales, and Napoleon III of France Signature drink: Delmonico Cocktail

The Paris Cafe – 1873 119 South Street The elegant Meyer’s Hotel opened here in 1987 with a luxurious bar called The Paris Cafe. It catered to wealthy travellers arriving by ship. Teddy Roosevelt was said to have dropped in on occasion while serving as the head of the New York City Police department to collar officers who indulged themselves while on duty. Famous patrons: Thomas Edison, Theodore Roosevelt, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cody, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Signature drink: Yeungling or other historic beers

Limited to 20 participants. Click to purchase tickets.

SCHEDULE

4:30 p.m. – meet at Fraunces Tavern
6:00 p.m. – depart Fraunces Tavern for Delmonico’s Bar and Grill
7:30 p.m. – depart Delmonico’s for Bridge Café
7:50 p.m. – Bridge Café exterior view and interior peek (due to its small size, our group cannot fit inside this establishment)
7:55 p.m. – depart Bridge Café for Paris Cafe
8:00 p.m. – dinner and drinks at Paris Café – tour concludes

Here are some of Noam’s handmade accessories, and photos from the Parlorcraft Circle:

Below are instructional photos of the seminars, to which the Bartitsu Club of NYC will refer in the coming months as we pursue our study of this esoteric Victorian martial art.

Founder Eva has relocated to the West Coast and hopes to make the
Society into a national organization. Founder Zoh has stepped down from
the steering committee but will continue to run the Parlourcraft Circle
and to be involved as an active member. Samuel and Rachel are now the
steering committee until additional active and dedicated members are
identified.

The Parlourcraft Circle meets monthly for those interested in antique
textile and needlework techniques such as embroidery, tatting, crochet,
knitting, darning, Victorian sewing techniques, cross stitch, as well as
other ladies’ parlour crafts such as quilling, china painting,
calligraphy, decopauge, etc. The next circle is on Saturday, March 3.
Visit handwork.tumblr.com for meeting dates and more information.

The Bartitsu Club also meets monthly, for those interested in learning
Victorian martial art and especially Bartitsu, the martial art of Sherlock
Holmes. No experience is required. The next session is on Sunday, February
26. Visit www.nycsteampunk.com/bartitsu for meeting dates
and more information.

Historian Mark Donnelly will return to NYC to teach another Bartitsu
workshop in Chelsea on March 11, and to host a steampunk and 19th century
Pub Quiz on March 10 at the Way Station in Brooklyn. Visit
http://www.nycsteampunk.com/bartitsu for more on these events.

The Society’s monthly Speaker Series launches with historian Christine
Evans’ presentation of a Victorian lady’s wardrobe, with emphasis on the
underpinnings. The event was held on February 21 and was a resounding
success. The next speakers in this series will present on pocket watches
and on the history of stereoscopic photography. Victorian drug addiction
and the art of tying men’s neckwear are additional topics in the Speaker
Series queue.

Update from Samuel on the April 27-29 Extravaganza, a weekend of
19th-century events and activities. The event will culminate in a day of
picnicking and activities at the historic Old Stone House in Park Slope.
Further information is forthcoming.

Open floor: ideas from members about a more formal ParlourCraft circle
event, a guided shopping tour of the Garment District, possibilities for
“Dumpster-diving” for fabric remnants in the Garment District, thrift-shop
excursions, and other ideas for future events were discussed. At this
point, the Society’s event calendar is well-stocked until late Spring, but
event ideas are always welcomed and encouraged.

LOCATION:

178 Bennett Avenue
Inwood, NY
(A train to 190th Street – it’s a Lutheran Church)

Ever wonder what lies beneath all that Victorian finery? Join clothing historian Christine Scott as she presents a step-by-step guide to ladies’ clothing of the 19th century. This delightful presentation is an educational and humorous conversation about the secrets and mysteries of the Victorian lady’s wardrobe. This presentation is much more than just a lecture. Ms. Scott engages the audience and answers all the Victorian fashion questions you were always too shy to ask!

Ms. Scott’s extensive and award-winning collection of historic reproduction clothing illustrates the art of dressing during several different time periods, ranging from the early Victorian period of the 1840′s to the so-called Gay 1890′s. Beautiful, award-winning examples of underpinnings, dresses, shoes, jewelry, and all other forms of delightful Victorian frippery will be displayed, demonstrated, and explained.

The presentation itself is approximately one hour in length and afterwards tea and light pastries will be served. Meet and mingle with your fellow Nineteenth Century Enthusiasts as we explore this most mysterious of subject matters…. What lies beneath!

The first part of the evening will be devoted to society business. Afterwards we look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions. Enjoy mingling with your fellow 19th century enthusiasts over drinks as we get to know each other and build a grand community.

Madame X’s is located at 94 West Houston St., New York, NY 10012

Did you know that Oscar Wilde’s famous quip “I have nothing to declare but my genius” was spoken upon his arrival in New York City? Or that most of the surviving photos of Wilde were taken right in Union Square? In 1882, before he had written his famous plays (or much of anything but a few poems), Oscar Wilde was already a self-made celebrity. He toured North American lecturing on Aestheticism, visiting cities, towns, and even a remote frontier mining camp, but ultimately spent more time in New York than in any other North American city.

Join us as we explore Gilded Age New York City and the people and places Wilde visited. Our distinguished tour guide John Cooper has spent decades researching Oscar Wilde with particular focus on his time in New York City. Mr. Cooper is a long-standing member of the Oscar Wilde Society in London, a prominent member of the Oscar Wilde Society of America, the Business Manager of the Victorian Society In America, the moderator of the Oscar Wilde Internet discussion group at Yahoo, and a contributor to Oscholars, the Oscar Wilde academic journal.

TICKETS: $15 cash only. Meet at 1:00 p.m. sharp on the northeast corner of Madison Square Park at 26th Street and Madison Avenue. Limited to 20 participants, with priority given to those who previously RSVPd with Samuel Sobek. All others will be first-come, first served.

“Designers, costumers, and scholars from the New York Nineteenth Century Society show off and explain their historically inspired corsets. See reproduction period corsets from the 18th-21st centuries up close and learn practical tips and tricks for constructing your own corset.

Wednesday,  November 9, 2011, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, Swift Hibernian Lounge, 34 East 4th Street (between Lafayette and Bowery), Manhattan. Cost: Free (but we hope you’ll buy a drink or two to support our gracious hosts).”

Photos courtesy of Nidal Nasr. Black and white corset photograph for flier courtesy of Hal Hirshorn.

Learn to fight like Sherlock Holmes! London’s Bartitsu Club was all the rage in 1899, but only recently has this lost martial art been rediscovered. Learn the “gentlemanly art of self-defense” at workshops taught by Professor Mark Donnelly, a world-renowned expert on historical combat.

Be part of history at Bartitsu’s NYC debut!

-Learn to use a walking stick, parasol, jacket, and other accessories for protection
-No martial arts experience required.
-A study in self-defense and in history.

A TWO-DAY EVENT, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY! PLEASE RSVP FOR EITHER OR BOTH – THESE ARE STANDALONE EVENTS, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO ATTEND SATURDAY TO PARTICIPATE ON SUNDAY.

Presented by The New York Nineteenth Century Society
Sponsored by Painless Parker and Professor Fumolatro

For more information and to register: http://www.nycsteampunk.com/bartitsu

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley while strolling through elegantly curated gardens at this historic early 19th century estate.

This is an informal gathering to make good use of the summer weather. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the beauty of the gardens — and feel free to bring a friend!

Please bring a small food or drink item (appetizer, side, drink, or dessert) to share with the group in the picnic area of the garden, as well as any personal food you choose to consume. There is also an excellent cafe at Wave Hill which can supply you with a good selection of picnic foods to suit various tastes and diets.

We will be dressed in our 18th/19th century/Edwardian finest — feel free to dress up in period costume for a relaxing picnic atmosphere. And definitely bring your camera!

For information, directions, cost to enter the park, &tc, please visit the Wave Hill site:
http://www.wavehill.org/

Please note the etiquette section of the Wave Hill site, and refrain from bringing blankets, frisbees, kites, dogs, etc, or eating food outside of picnic areas.
http://www.wavehill.org/visit/#gardenetiquette”

Thanks to everyone who came out on Memorial Day! Read more about the picnic at NYNCS co-founder Eva Ulz’s blog, Circa 1850.