August Tours

Historic Murray Hill

Wednesday, August 2 • 11:00am-1:00pm • TBD in NYC • Course 11968 • $50

Imagine life in the nineteenth century when the wealthy built mansions in Murray Hill, the toniest neighborhood of Manhattan. Explore the Morgan Library, designed by renowned architect Charles McKim of McKim, Mead, & White, that used no mortar between its marble blocks, as well as the remaining homes, stables, and private clubs in this historic district. Learn how the first railroad in the world impacted the area and see, with the aid of vintage photographs, a then-and-now illustration of what remains.

GINNY POLEMAN is a graduate of Cornell University, a trained docent for the Municipal Art Society’s official Grand Central Terminal tour, as well as a trained educational guide for 4th through 12th graders at Manhattan’s largest art museum.

Art Deco New York, Tribeca to the Civic Center* Recently Added

Tuesday, August 15 • 5:00pm-7:00pm • TBD in NYC • Course 12005 • $75

Begin at the edge of the financial district and continue into the Civic Center with the Federal Post Office, a WPA product of the Modern Classic, and three remarkable municipal buildings at the northern tip of the Foley Square courts district: the New York State Building, the Health, Hospitals and Sanitation Building and the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. The star architect of the walk is Ralph Walker, designer of three communications-related behemoths: the delightfully decorative New York Telephone Company headquarters, the ponderously massive Western Union Building, and the Long Lines Building which is both massive and decorative.

ANTHONY W. ROBINS is an historian and author specializing in New York City architecture who also served as Deputy Director of Research and Director of Survey on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. A popular leader of walking tours all over New York City, he was honored with the 2017 Guiding Spirit Award by the Guides Association of New York City.

Brooklyn's Park Slope* Recently Added

Wednesday, August 16 • 1:00pm-2:30pm • TBD in NYC • Course 12044 • $75

Walk through the northern part of Park Slope, Brooklyn, one of New York's most beautiful neighborhoods and part of the city's largest historic district. Look at Grand Army Plaza and at the "park blocks" of the named streets between Prospect Park West and Eighth Avenue, some of the nicest row house streets in the country. Your guide, a 43-year resident of the neighborhood, is the author of a book on the history of Park Slope.

FRANCIS MORRONE is an architectural historian and author of eleven architectural books. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from NYU School of Professional Studies, and the Landmarks Lion Award of the Historic Districts Council. Travel and Leisure magazine named him one of the 13 best tour guides in the world.

Southern End of Riverside Drive

Thursday, August 17 • 11:00am-1:00pm • TBD in NYC • Course 11969 • $50

In response to the success of Central Park, Historic Riverside Park and its parallel avenue Riverside Drive were developed by Andrew Haswell Green, the city’s first comprehensive urban planner, who hired Frederick Law Olmsted for the design. Walk from 72nd Street up to 89th Street to view gilded age mansions by renowned architects such as C.P.H. Gilbert and Clarence True, as well as the Eleanor Roosevelt Monument and the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument, among other memorial statues on the way.

GINNY POLEMAN (see bio above).