What is Federal Hall?

Federal Hall

What is Federal Hall?
Federal Hall history is fascinating and goes back to the very inception of America. Sticking out like a sore thumb amongst the modern skyscrapers around it, the Federal Hall architecture is the first indication that this is one of the oldest and most important buildings in downtown New York City. To learn more Federal Hall facts, watch our video below:

Happy Birthday Franz Kafka!

Franz Kafka

Happy birthday to Franz Kafka!

Kafka was born on July 3, 1883 in Prague. Kafka began his career by writing short stories in his spare time. Very few Franz Kafka works were published during his lifetime- his friend Max Brod published many Franz Kafka books after his death in 1924 at the tender age of 40.

Notable writers Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre were heavily influenced by the Franz Kafka bibliography.

3 Fun Facts About Beer and Early America

Three fun facts about beer in early American history:

1. In 1754 when George Washington was still a young man, he recorded a beer recipe in his notebook.
2. 20 years later, during 1775, a year before the start of the Revolutionary War, Congress rationed each soldier one quart of Spruce Beer or Cider per man per day. 
3. George Washington became the first President of the newly formed United States of America in 1789. He bolstered his "buy American" policy by indicating he will only drink porter brewed in America.

- by Annaline Dinkelmann

Summer on Stone Street Takes You Back in Time

Summer time is a great time to sit outdoors and enjoy a beer or another beverage on Stone Street.

Stone Street was originally known as "Brouwer Straet" (Brewers Street). In 1632 the West India Company, under leadership of Governor Van Twiller, built a brewery there. During most of the 1700s, the street was called Duke Street. It was later renamed Stone Street because of its cobblestone paving.

The buildings on Stone Street were once stores and lofts built for dry-goods merchants and importers. Construction took place shortly after the Great Fire of 1835. At the time of construction there was neither electricity nor the skyscraper technology. What you see on Stone Street is the scale of the city during the early part of the 1800s- walking down Stone Street gives you a good feel for what New York felt like 200 years ago.

- by Annaline Dinkelmann 

Farmer's Markets in Lower Manhattan

The farmer's market at Bowling Green

Check the farmers markets. There are several in Lower Manhattan.

Fresh produce is arriving. Going to the market really connects you with the changing seasons and the freshest produce. Going to the market is wonderful as you can talk to the farmer and learn more about their produce. When I learned about a hail storm during April, I bought the fruit with the small marks. I understood where they came from- the marks were a result of the hailstones.

Green markets were founded in 1976 providing small family farms the opportunity to sell their locally grown products directly to consumers and to promote regional agriculture. Since then,  many green markets have sprung up around the city. The largest and most well known is probably in Union Square. 

Lower Manhattan has several green markets – at the Staten Island Ferry, at Bowling Green, at the Andaz hotel (on Saturdays), in Zuccotti Park, at the World Financial Centre. Check out their schedules here.

- by Annaline Dinkelmann 

The New York Chamber of Commerce

New York’s Chamber of Commerce was the first mercantile association in America. It was founded 1768 by twenty merchants in the Fraunces Tavern. It promoted commerce, mediated trade disputes, and lobbied for laws that would facilitate trade and industry. The Chamber of Commerce was one of the main sponsors of the construction of the Eerie Canal. During the 1980s it merged with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. Their former building is a spectacular Beaux Arts building located at 65 Liberty Street, almost right next to the Federal Reserve Bank.

- by Annaline Dinkelmann 

It's Officially Summer in New York City

After Memorial Day it’s “officially summer” in New York. Many offices start to allow their employees to dress down. You are no longer required to wear a tie or suit. Now it's smart casual – polo shirt and dress pants. Some offices do dress down all week and others do it on Fridays only.

Many people start going to their beach houses for the weekend.

Summer programs start – be on the lookout for the free concerts in the parks in NYC. In Lower Manhattan we have the River to River Festival.

There are many free concerts and events. Take the ferry to Governors Island and spend the afternoon gazing at the Lower Manhattan skyline.

- by Annaline Dinkelmann