Indigenous People's Day Tour of Historic Lower Manhattan and the Birth of NYC!
About the event
*Note change in start time from 11am to 3pm*. This 2-hour tour is especially recommended for people new to NYC or unfamiliar with our indigenous people's history! RSVPs open on Sunday, September 27th at 8:30pm.
Space is set aside for new group members, first and second timers and real estate clients who land on the waiting list. Email me at hankorenstein@gmail.com to request a spot AFTER you have RSVPd.
This tour is free with an optional donation to your organizer and guide at the end via cash, venmo or zelle.. The museum is free to visit and is open from 10am - 5pm.
MEETING PLACE: Inside the Museum of the American Indian (pictured above). There is a large open space called the Rotunda on the main floor where we will meet. There is a worthwhile exhibit on view which will enhance your understanding of our tour. "Native New York," is a comprehensive exhibit about the Indian tribes and the lives they led in the NYC area. I suggest arriving at least 45 minutes beforehand by 2:15pm to get a taste of the museum and use the restroom.
The building is part of the Smithsonian museum and and has an efficient security check inside the entrance that includes metal detectors. It also a historic landmark and one of NYC's most magnificent public buildings inside and outside, designed by Cass Gilbert (Woolworth Building). Note the museum does not allow food or beverages other than bottled water.
Here's a useful link to learn more: https://americanindian.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/item?id=981
TOUR OVERVIEW This tour is especially great for people new to New York City as we cover a lot of our early history including the original Dutch settlement in the early 1600s and the backstory of the American Revolution and NYC's role as the first U.S. Capital. This is today's Financial District including Wall Street.
The Lenape Indians inhabited the area we call NYC centuries before the Europeans colonized the area in the early 17th century. The spirit of Indigenous People's Day to acknowledge the resilience, ingenuity, creativity, culture and strivings of indigenous people's despite centuries of racism, discrimination, forced removals and essentially genocide.
American Indians have a sophisticated understanding of ecology and taking care of the land along with their great respect for the forces of nature and the bounty of the earth. The Iroquois tribes of upstate New York also influenced the early women's rights movement of the mid-1800's due to the leadership roles of Indian women. In the 20th century Mohawk Indians from New York helped to build our skyscrapers and bridges.
The tour will focus on sites associated with Native American presence in Lower Manhattan. Given the rich and complex history of what we call the Financial District, I will also weave in the key historic touchpoints of colonial New York including the chain of events that led to the American Revolution, NYC's role as America's first Capital, and the role of Wall Street. I will also talk about current efforts by Lenape Indians to reclaim their local heritage and history.
Ending Point: Convenient to Canal Street subways including the N,R,Q,J, the #1 at Franklin Street and the 4,5,6.
Etcetera: October 11 and 12 there is a two-day gathering and celebration for Indigenous People's Day on Randall's Island. If you are free on Sunday, the 11th check it out: https://ipdnyc.squarespace.com/
Note: NYC still honors the 2nd Monday of October as Italian Heritage Day/Columbus Day and there has been some controversy about this. The NYC Department of Education and other entities have attempted a compromise by also acknowledging the many contributions of Italian-Americans as opposed to Columbus who forced indigenous people into slavery and brought disease and devastation. I will devote some time on the tour to Italian American Heritage as it relates to NYC.
Optional "afterparty" (social hour) at a local happy hour venue after the tour.
Your organizer and…
