Spend tonight (Tuesday, June 20) exploring the City’s history and heritage at the fourth annual Night at the Museums, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. The event, part of the 2017 River to River Festival, will give locals and tourists alike the chance to see Lower Manhattan’s diverse range of cultural institutions and historical sites — all within walking distance from one another — for free.
Participants include:
* African Burial Ground National Monument: A 6.6-acre burial ground where free and enslaved Africans were buried from the 1690s until 1794. The site, now administered by the National Park Service, features an outdoor memorial and a visitors center and exhibitions, dedicated to teaching visitors about Africans of early New York and Americans of African descent. A drum and dance performance by Fusha Dance Company will take place at 4 pm. First floor of Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway, between Duane and Reade Streets. For more information, please browse: https://www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm
* China Institute: Offers programs on education, culture, business and art since 1926 to advance a deeper understanding of China. During Night at the Museums, the exhibition Dreams of the Kings: A Jade Suit for Eternity: Treasures of the Han Dynasty from Xuzhou will be on view with free tours and live music. 100 Washington St between Carlisle and Rector Streets. https://www.chinainstitute.org/
* Federal Hall National Memorial: Known as the “Birthplace of American Government”, this is the site where George Washington took the first oath of office, and was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. Today, it is a museum and memorial to George Washington and the beginnings of the United States. Tours led by National Park Service Rangers will be offered from 4:00 through 7:00 pm. Meet George Washington, see a special map display of the City in the 18th century, and hear Linda Russell present Early American Music from 4:00 to 7:30 pm. 26 Wall Street. For more information, please browse:https://www.nps.gov/feha/index.htm
* Fraunces Tavern Museum: Landmark museum and tavern in what is claimed to be Manhattan’s oldest surviving building and where George Washington bade his farewell to the troops had led during the War of Independence. The Museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history of the American Revolutionary era. Special Exhibitions include “Dunsmore: Illustrating the American Revolutionary War,” and “Lafayette,” featuring artifacts relating to the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette. Visitors can also enjoy live 18th century American music with Rose Tree, a musical trio. 54 Pearl Street. For more information, please browse: http://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org/
* Lower Manhattan Tours*: Takes visitors through the historic capital of world finance: the one-square-mile of Lower Manhattan known as “Wall Street.” Mini-Walking Tours (half-hour duration) will take place every 30 minutes, from 4:00 through 7:00 pm. Tour meeting point will be 55 and 57 Wall Street between William and Hanover Streets. Reserve your free tour in advance at: www.LowerManhattanTours.com.
* Museum of American Finance: Dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching visitors about American and New York finance and financial history.The featured exhibit is, “For the Love of Money: Blacks on U.S. Currency,” displaying anti-slavery tokens, commemorative coins, bronze medals, and gold medallions that honor barrier-breaking black athletes, entertainers, civil rights leaders, military commanders, and politicians. 48 Wall Street, at the corner of William Street. For more information, please browse: http://www.moaf.org/index
* Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust: New York’s Holocaust memorial museum tells the story of the Jewish experience before, during, and after the Shoah. Exhibits on view include Andy Goldsworthy’s, “Garden of Stones,” and “My Name Is… The Lost Children of Kloster Indersdorf.” Researcher Liang Pingan and director of the Museum’s Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism, Abraham H. Foxman, will give a talk at 6:30 pm on Jewish communities in China. 36 Battery Place. For more information, please browse: www.mjhnyc.org
* National Archives at New York City: Research your family history and genealogy in the Research Center, participate in “Amending America” and “Archival Adventures” activities in the Learning Center, and view select original documents about the Bill of Rights and constitutional amendments in the Welcome Center. Historical interpreters will discuss the importance of the Bill of Rights. (To read about The Broadsheet’s take on the National Archives, browse: www.ebroadsheet.com/the-descent-of-you/) One Bowling Green, across from Battery Park. For more information, please browse:www.archives.gov/nyc.
* National Museum of the American Indian-Smithsonian Institution: Illuminates the diversity of Native peoples of the Americas, from the Arctic Circle to the southern tip of Patagonia. Special tours offered include “Infinity of Nations,” “Native Fashion Now,” and “Cerámica de los Ancestros: Central America’s Past Revealed.” The museum will also feature performances by acclaimed net-soul singer Martha Redbone, described by the Village Voice as “Americana’s next superstar.” She will perform on the hour at 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 pm in the second-floor rotunda. One Bowling Green, across from Battery Park. For more information, please browse:. AmericanIndian.si.edu
* National September 11 Memorial Museum: The country’s principal institution concerned with exploring the implications of the events of September 11, 2001, while documenting their impact, and exploring their continuing significance. Tickets are not available in advance and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 4:00 pm. Free admission will end two hours prior to closing at 8:00 pm. 180 Greenwich Street. For more information, please browse: www.911memorial.org
* 9/11 Tribute Museum: created by the September 11th Families Association, the museum presents videos, artifacts, and personal stories to link the historic events of September 11, 2001 — including the rescue and recovery operations and the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan — with those who experienced them. Volunteer Guides speak to visitors about the events of September 11th, as well as their personal experiences, every half-hour between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. (To read The Broadsheet’s review of the Tribute Museum, browse: www.ebroadsheet.com/the-ripples-start-here/) 92 Greenwich Street, at the corner of Rector Street. For more information, please browse: www.tributewtc.org
* NYC Municipal Archives*: Holds New York City Government’s historical records. Explore the building’s grand staircases, sculptures, and mosaics by preeminent artists of the period, with Municipal Archives photographer Matthew Minor, as he takes you on a behind-the-design walk through early 20th century architecture (4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 pm). There will also be a special guided tour with the Commissioner at 5:00 pm. Advanced sign-up is required: email publicprograms@records.nyc.gov with the tour name and time in subject header. 31 Chambers Street, between Centre and Elk Streets. For more information, please browse: www.nyc.gov/records
* Poets House: Houses a 70,000-volume poetry library and exhibitions that focus on the physical and visual expression of poetry. Participate in a literary scavenger hunt: visitors will be given popular poems with several words missing and will have to find the poems in books in the library. 10 River Terrace, at the corner of Murray Street. For more information, please browse: www.poetshouse.org
* The Skyscraper Museum: Celebrates New York City’s rich architectural heritage and examines the historical forces and individuals that have shaped its skylines. At 5:00 pm, founding director Carol Willis will lead a Curator’s Tour of the exhibition, “Ten and Taller, 1874-1900.” 39 Battery Place, at the corner of First Place. For more information, please browse:. www.skyscraper.org
* South Street Seaport Museum: Features historic buildings, unique collections, working 19th-century printing presses, and ships to tell the story of the rise of New York as a port city and its critical role in the development of the nation. See the exhibition, “Street of Ships: The Port and Its People,” or take a 45-minute walking tour that explores the history of the East River waterfront, starting at 5:30 or 7:30 pm (onsite registration required). There will also be tours of the historic ship Wavertree, and live demonstrations at Bowne & Co. Stationers. 12 Fulton Street, between Front and South Streets. For more information, please browse:www.southstreetseaportmuseum.org.
*Advance free ticket reservation required.
Night at the Museums is produced by the Downtown Cultural Group.
For more information, visit: nightatthemuseums.com.
To find out more about the 2017 River to River Festival, click here.
Isabel Tessier
photos by Robert Simko