Independence Day at the NY Historical Society

I have relatives on both sides of my family who were soldiers in the Revolutionary War and I really wanted to spend the day at the NY Historical Society, two blocks from my apartment, and which every Independence Day has a Revolutionary War re-enactors and Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others. What a blast! My friend Michele and I went and got to chat with Ben (I warned him about the key and kite business but he wouldn't listen!)--and one of the soldiers (the guy on the left above) who showed us how to bayonet someone (SCARY as I was on the receiving end!) and load a musket (this may come in handy some day...?). They also had a 1776 copy of the Decalration of Independence (one of multiple copies that were sent out July 6th, 1776 to various colonies--broadsides were the Twitter of 1776...). They also had a lot of crafts for kids. Only one day a year of course-- but they DO have other events throughout the year for adults and kids. Anyway it was fun --and free! Closed July 12-Sept.

The New York Historical Society-little gems

(NOTE: The NYHS will be closed until Sept., due to renovations, starting July 12th...so RUN don't walk to these exhibitions if you are in NY right now!) A trip to The New-York Historical Society yielded yet another transcendent experience--which may sound a bit hyperbolic for a small museum that attracts relatively few visitors. But every time I go there I find something surprising. This time I went for the Harlem photo exhibition, which turned out to be more documentary than art. But upstairs were two lush, delightful painting exhibitions: "New York Painting Begins: 18th Century Portraits," and "Nature and the American Vision: The Hudson River School."Beautifully presented against dark blue walls (LOVE when museums think about the presentation in this way--I felt like I was in an 18th century parlor), they had 6 children's portraits that were especially unusual and vibrant. The Hudson River exhibit had some lovely paintings from lesser known painters (to me anyway) as well as Thomas Cole (him I know of!).
And there was a moving Lincoln "In His Own Words" display, with examples of Lincoln letters, notes and documents, that gave me chills. When I read the Emancipation Proclamation with his signature, it was a revelation. I suddenly understood the courage and inner strength it took to take this step. I was moved by the content--but also understood for the first time the personal weight of his decision. And a simple letter he wrote to a friend of his son who was not accepted at Harvard, filled with encouragement and exhortation to never give up, was inspiring (the friend was accepted at Yale). It revealed a kindness and positiveness I wish more politicians had.
They also have cool events here for kids (otherwise the museum is not particularly interesting for kids)--July 4th there will be an event with actors portraying Ben Franklin, etc, and Revolutionary War re-enactors.
INFO (CLOSED FROM JULY 12, 2009-Sept. 2009!!): The New-York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West between 76th & 77th Street.Tel. (212) 873-3400. Subway: B or C to 81st Street. 1,2, or 3 to 72nd & Broadway or 1 to 79th and B'way. Bus: M10 to 77th Street; M79 to 81st Street and Central Park West. Public parking garages are located at 203 West 77th Street, 207 76th Street and 201 West 75th Street, all between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.

Hours

Tuesday - Thursday:	10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday:	10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Pay what you wish for admission between 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday:	10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday:	11:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Monday:	CLOSED