Check Out the Size of That Dinner Napkin!
In 1840, when Henry Cole painted The Dinner Party, napkins had to be very large to cover the voluminous skirts …
Category Archives: Historic House Museums
How and Why We Became Publishers, Part Three, Merchant’s House Meet POD
After we moved to Manhattan we made it a point to see all the things people come to the city …
Small Talk, New Year’s Day, 1861
When I did the research for An Old Merchant’s House: Life at Home in New York City 1835-65, I relied …
How a 100-Year Old House Became an Historic House Museum
And now, 80 years later, The Merchant’s House Museum still offers visitors a unique window into the lives of mid-19th century …
Just Released! Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s House
What Makes the Merchant’s House a Miracle August, 1933—The country was in the depths of the Great Depression. Gertrude Tredwell had …
The Historic House Tells It Like It Was
To feel the world of the nineteenth century in our bones, it’s necessary to find a place that can take …
When Is a Window Not a Window?
Answer: when it’s between rooms instead of between a room and the outdoors. You’re not expected to look through a …
March 6, 1965—The Day The Children Took to The Streets
On March 6, forty-nine years ago, munchkins from the Downtown School in the East Village grabbed their banners and wended …
Ten More Reasons Why I Love Living in The City That Never Sleeps
Last year I posted ten of my favorite sites in New York. Here are ten more reasons I love living …
George Washington, Father of Our Country—Oh, How They Loved Him!
I know, I know, we already celebrated President’s Day last week, but today is really Washington’s birthday. (If you want …
