Then and Now: 154 4th Ave Brooklyn, NY

The New York Public library has an amazing digital gallery with tons of vintage New York City images. I really enjoy looking through them to see how the city has transformed over the past 100 years. Last summer I chose a few Brooklyn pictures and set out to see what the picture would look like today (2011).

This picture from the digital gallery is of 154 4th Ave Brooklyn circa 1936.

Before I set out to see the "today" picture, I checked out google street view (picture below). I was a little disappointed to see most of the building gone! But since it wasn't too far away, I decided to take a walk over and take a look. 

What a great surprise, when I went in July 2011 there was actually a new luxury condo building fully built into the missing section! How things have changed! I love that the section with the spiral top all the way to the right was preserved. It served as a nice landmark for me to use to make these then and now pictures. A piece of new nestled in with a piece of history. I should see if I can find out when the original building was built.

More then and now pictures to come! Have a spot in Brooklyn or New York you'd like to see a then and now picture comparison of? Let me know, I'll see if I can make it happen.

This is such a great project when researching your family history and have an exact address or town name....what was there when they lived here? There is a cool website aptly named What Was There where you can put in an address or city to see pictures of what was there! Pictures can be added by individuals or organizations looking to preserve the images of the past.

A Night Out on Broadway: Death of a Salesman 2012

I'm not a big theater goer and have only seen a handful of shows, but when an opportunity makes me branch out I'm all for it. Living in NY we are lucky to have some of the best shows right at our finger tips. Last night we were given tickets to check out Death of a Salesman and it was such a fantastic show! This revival of Arthur Miller's 1949 play is directed by Mike Nichols and stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as Willy Loman, Linda Edmond as Linda Loman, and Andrew Garfield as Biff Loman. The cast was fantastic! So emotionally charged!

I believe I read this play back in high school but don't recall much of the storyline. This might sound weird, but I enjoy reading books and watching movies that are more on the somber side, I enjoy a good emotional rollercoaster. This show was definitely a ride with many highs and low lows. Despite it's 70+ age, this story is one that I believe many people today can identify with. We are all struggling to achieve the American dream in a time where nothing is a sure thing anymore.

The show is being performed at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (W 47th Street between Broadway and 8th Ave). This classic theater was built in 1928 by Lee and J.J. Shubert for it's namesake actress Ethel Barrymore. The stage has been graced by legends such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Marlon Brando. As we waited for the show to start, I tried to imagine what it might have been like to be there in the 1930's and 40's. How much where the tickets? What would people be wearing? What celebrities could be seen in the audience?  A game I love playing in New York City, so much history all around!

If given the opportunity, I recommend you check out this play. It's limited time engagement with showtimes only scheduled through the beginning of June. Click here to learn more! Are you a Broadway fan? I'd love to hear what your favorite shows and New York theaters are!

Tombstone Tuesday: A Trip to Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! Things get so crazy around the holidays. But don't worry, I'm still desperate to learn and share with lots of stories and adventures!

Last year I watched a 2 hour special on the History Channel, Afraid of the Dark. I really enjoyed the scary stories and history of our innate fear of the dark. Several areas of the world are covered and one of my favorites  was about Edinburgh, Scotland. Not only was I obsessed with the accent of the Scottish guide, but the the creepy scarey stories of the haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard and the underground moors fascinated me. I can be big baby and get scared easy, but for whatever reason I love creepy cemeteries!

When I had the amazing opportunity to visit Scotland this past September I just had to get to Edinburgh to see these sights for myself. I visited Greyfriars during the day, it was beautiful! The crypts and tombstones were very elaborate. This graveyard is supposedly haunted, but since I visited during the day I don't have any spooky stories to share of my own. They have nighttime tours, but there were just too many to chose from and I read that some people felt that the tours were not always respectful of the graveyard. They left garbage and disrupted the area. Not wanting to take part I decided not to take a nighttime tour. 

The ornate tombstones in on the western side of the graveyard sit right up against the back of the buildings. Can you imagine having this veiw literally right outside your window? You could almost touch the stones from the windows! I don't know if I could do it...

I just couldn't stop taking pictures of all the intricate details in stone...lots of skulls and cross bones!

To the right is a picture of the Covenanter's Prison, where thousands of Presbyterian's supporting the National Covenant were imprisoned. Hundreds died and were buried here. This area is behind a locked gate so I couldn't walk down the land to view to areas, but from what I could see, you wouldn't want to stay there.

Edinburgh is a great city for sightseeing, eating, and shopping. After the graveyard we had wee pint of local Scottish ale at the Greyfriars Bobby's Bar just around the corner. Another spot I recommend is Lebowskis Bar. We are huge fans of "The Dude" from the movie The Big Lebowski and this bar is an ode to all things dude, most importantly to his favorite drink, the white russian. They have many different variations of white russians, we loved them.

I really enjoyed my visit and recommend you take a trip to Greyfriars next time you're in Edinburgh, Scotland. If you have gone on a haunted tour I'd LOVE to hear about your experience!

NYC Veterans Day Parade 2011

The NYC Veterans Day Parade is the largest celebration in the country, with 20,000 veterans, supporters, bands, and other entertainment marching in the parade. It was a beautiful fall day. I had the great opportunity to chat with some sweet WWII Veterans, thanking them for their courage.

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