[8/27/2012] Urban Gadabout: WaHi Tours, September-October

Tour Leader: James Renner

Telephone: 212-795-7830 Mobile: 917-533-3252

Email: JR6751@aol.com

AUTUMN 2012 SCHEDULED WALKING TOURS

Washington Heights and Inwood (WAHI) are communities that have, over the years, gained recognition in massive demographic changes. People from other parts of the city are visiting and moving here because of its affordable housing and beautiful parks. These tours will demonstrate to the resident and visitor alike how upper Manhattan has changed and adapted to suit the needs of its new inhabitants and tourists.

MARBLE HILL is the landlocked part of Manhattan to the Bronx that had been separated from Manhattan (Inwood) when the Harlem River was re-routed and dredged for improved ship navigation around Manhattan. The community has homes dating back to the 1870’s for those who are interested in architecture known as “Painted Ladies.” There are Dutch and English colonial sites and military sites from the American Revolution (Fort Prince Charles) within the community that will fascinate those interested in history.

DATE: Sunday September 2, 2012
TIME: 12:00 NOON
MEET: 225th Street and Broadway in front of Chase Bank

TUBBY HOOK (Dyckman Street, Riverside Drive and Broadway) is a community that is coming of age. It started as a fishing village nestled in the valley situated between Fort Tryon Park and Inwood Hill Park in 1819. During the American Revolution it was used as a transfer point for information between both parks in which the American army had fortifications. It was also known for its railroad and ferry service along and across the Hudson River. The Riverside-Inwood Neighborhood Garden is a beautiful oasis that is the centerpiece of the area.

DATE: Sunday September 9, 2012
TIME: 12:00 NOON
MEET: Northwest corner of Dyckman Street and Broadway

FORT GEORGE (190th to 193rd Amsterdam and Audubon Avenues) was named for the Revolutionary fort and the amusement park which overlooked the Harlem River. It is also home to two educational facilities (George Washington High School and Yeshiva University) and the Isabella Geriatric Center.

DATE: Sunday September 23, 2012
TIME: 12:00 NOON
MEET: Northeast corner of 190th Street and Audubon Avenue

SHERMAN CREEK was named for a working class family that occupied a fisherman’s shack in what is now Inwood in 1807. The family lived in the community for almost a century. During the American Revolution a ferry operated from Sherman Creek to the Bronx. The area was also home to the Dyckman Oval where the Negro Baseball League team the New York Cubans had played until the 1940’s when the ballfield was razed for the Dyckman Houses, an urban renewal project. The Dyckman Houses was home to basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

DATE: Sunday September 30, 2012
TIME: 12:00 NOON
MEET: Entrance of IRT #1 Dyckman Street Station

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (165th to 168th Broadway to Haven Avenue) is one of New York City’s major hospitals and medical educational facilities. The tour of the complex will provide an opportunity to see and understand the center and how it operates in conjunction with the community. As a part of the tour several of the surrounding historical sites such as the Audubon Ballroom will be pointed out and their contributions to the neighborhood will be highlighted.

DATE: Sunday October 14, 2012
TIME: 12:00 NOON
MEET: Southwest corner of 168th Street and Broadway

FORT WASHINGTON-HUDSON HEIGHTS TOUR combines local history and real estate. The Battle of Fort Washington will be discussed at Bennett Park on Fort Washington Avenue and 184th Street where the last major battle of New York City was fought during the American Revolution. Hudson Heights is a real estate term used today by local realty companies to promote the neighborhood. Afterwards, other sites will include the estates of James Gordon Bennett, Dr. Charles Paterno, Lucius Chittenden, Augustus C. Richards and C.K.G. Billings will be visited and discussed. The Shrine of Mother Francesca Xavier Cabrini will also be visited as well.

DATE: Sunday October 21, 2012
TIME: 12:00 NOON
MEET: 181st Street and Fort Washington Avenue, northwest corner

The costs of tours is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. No reservations necessary.


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