I had the opportunity to do a little bit of sightseeing before my program started. I flew in the day before. After getting settled in my hotel room and putting my feet up for a bit, I decided to go for a walk on the High Line. It’s an urban trail that was made out of a former elevated railroad line. There are cute little gardens, flowering trees, sculptures, benches for relaxing. It was clearly a successful project because a lot of trendy apartment buildings have been constructed alongside it.
Toward the south end of the High Line is the Chelsea Market, an older building that’s been converted to a market hall. I stopped there for a taco and some gourmet flavored mini donuts. Then I decided to walk back on the city streets to my hotel, just to see something different. It’s funny how varied it can be. One block will be full of trendy businesses and restaurants and you feel very safe. The next block - buildings covered with graffiti, bums sitting on the sidewalk and a guy urinating against a building while boldly looking you in the eye.
The next day I figured I couldn’t be TOO ambitious since program registration was at 4 pm. In the morning I went to the Empire State Building - cheesy and expensive but worth it.
After that I visited the Morgan Library, which is a museum of the rare books and other artifacts collected by Gilded Age financier JP Morgan. My main interest was because last year my book club read The Personal Librarian which was the slightly fictionalized story of Belle da Costa Greene, who was hired by Morgan at a fairly young age to oversee his collection. The interesting twist is that she was an African American woman who was passing as white.
The Morgan Library currently has a whole exhibit about Belle da Costa Greene, and that is what I was interested in seeing. A good part of the exhibit talked about the phenomenon of passing.
Then there were displays about her dedication in acquiring the choicest rare books for her employer’s collection. She was quite the cutthroat negotiator and bidder.
This quote seemed like a very good tie-in to my upcoming opera week!
After poring over the exhibit I had lunch and then looked at the rest of the museum - see the comments for some pictures. It was quite the lavish display of wealth. Producing such mixed feelings about capitalism. It doesn't seem right for one person to have so much money, but when it is used to create such beautiful spaces that now everyone gets to appreciate...
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That's the problem with wealth, most don't create and preserve such history, beauty and the like for others to learn and enjoy for years to come. Sounds like a great trip, New York not on my bucket list but you peaked my interest, thanks.
It's a great place to visit if you're interested in theater, opera, or art museums! And doubtless the best at some other things as well.
What an amazing library! Love how much greenery there is on the High Line.
There's a park in Shibuya that was rebuilt on top of a shopping mall. Not as big or has as much greenery as the High Line, but still, lots of people gather there.
I like the movement towards incorporating more greenery in cities. I saw a few skyscrapers with heavily planted balconies and/or green roofs.
@smartasswoman So good for air and water quality as well as reducing heat island effects.
My latest lesson on how quickly places can change in just a few blocks occurred the night I stayed in Albuquerque. YIKES!
My older sister was with me on this trip and she brought along her combined flashlight/pepper spray/taser device. I told her I just make a habit of not going to places that I felt I might need such a device.
How nice of you to share your adventure thank you
Please excuse my ignorance , but what is a ''passer'' . Stunning library. Great pics.
I figured readers would figure it out from the context since I said, "The interesting twist is that she was an African American woman who was passing as white". People who "passed" were light skinned enough to live life among white people, passing as white, and therefore avoiding the discrimination that happened to black people.
In Belle's case, if I recall correctly, if asked about her skin color she attributed it to being part Puerto Rican.
@smartasswoman Thankyou. Now you have explained the term it is so obvious. Makes me feel like a right clown. That is not a term that is used in this part of the world. Again thankyou. have a great day.
@samplit4 no worries! I see now that you’re an Aussie and I guess it was more of a US phenomenon. 😊
The greenery along the High Line is awesome!! I love finding nature in the least expected places
Hugs!
It's a welcome oasis in the city.
Huzzah to the Big Apple adventure!
What an eclectic adventure.🤗
That "urban trail" looks like such an interesting and relaxing path to follow. True, about the variable architecture and vibe from block to block in NYC.
BTW, I stare people in the eye when I urinate in public as well.
Just kidding, I face the wall.
I had to look up "passing" as I'd never heard that term. Nella had a fascinating life. Your pics captured the beauty and opulence of that museum perfectly. Stunning!
NYC is such a blast to visit. There's never a shortage of things to see and do.
I do feel like I barely scratched the surface. Now that I've broken the ice, I'm sure I'll be back sometime.
Great post. I hope the Morgan Library isn't dependent on federal government funding otherwise I suspect it'll be closed down.
Given that it was established by a very very rich family, I would assume there’s probably some kind of foundation supporting its continued operation?
But true, most arts and cultural institutions are feeling the pain right now.
@smartasswoman It's quite worrying about what's happening to the arts in America. Art is a bit of a barometer.
Secondary library room. Two levels, more ceiling murals, displays of precious objects on the first level.
Skylight in the main library room.
Main library room, with three levels of bookshelves and murals on the ceiling. All of the bookshelves were protected with decorative metal grids in front of the books.