Penn Station
Penn Station, located in the heart of Manhattan is the busiest train station in the US. It connects the LIRR, NJ Transit, and Amtrack. Penn Station was named for the builders of the station, Pennsylvania RR. The Penn Station that we see today is actually the second station of it's kind that was built on the very same spot. Penn Station was built by our favorite NYC Architectural Firm, McKim, Mead, and White. The original Penn Station had pink granite marble, greek columns, and a waiting room to die for. In the 1960's, plans were made to tear down the above ground portions of the station. Despite protests, the above ground sections were torn down and rebuilt. Additionally, Madison Square Garden and 2 office towers were also constructed. New Yorkers were outraged. To make sure that this kind of disaster didn't happen again, new landmarks preservation laws were put into place to save future historic buildings. Fortunately, theses laws were made in time to preserve the Grand Central Station.
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Broadway
Broadway is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Manhattan. The length of Broadway run 13 miles through Manhattan and the Bronx and continues for another 18 miles through Westchester County and Sleepy Hollow. Broadway began as a Native American Trail. When the Dutch settlers arrived , Broadway became the main roadway from New Amsterdam and the rest of Manhattan. Because Broadway was already established before the development of "The Grid", it is one of the few streets that runs diagonally through Manhattan. The locations that Broadway intersects with Avenues, squares were formed that allowed for Parks and public places to be established. When you walk down Broadway, it is very brilliant, with lots of lights and signs and colors. At night, it's even more amazing. I decided to write my second paper on how Broadway Theatre has influenced social progression. Broadway theatre has been around since the late 1800's. Currently, there are about 40 theatres in the district, but there are actually only 4 theatres on Broadway (the street) itself.
Riverside Park
After that, we stopped right outside of Riverside Park. Located right off of Riverside Drive, the park is 4 miles long and is designated 1 of only 5 scenic landmarks. The park itself runs from 72nd street to 158th street. It seemed like a really nice park. Nearby is the campus for Columbia University and Barnard College. I didn't realize how large this park actually was and I am very thankful we did not walk the length of the park.
General Grant National Memorial
The Memorial was built for Ulysses S. Grant, who was the commander of the Union army during the Civil War. He was also our nation's President between 1869 and 1877. President Grant and his wife settled in NYC after his Presidential Term ended. He originally came to NYC in hopes of monetary benefit, but it was not meant to be. Grant died of Throat Cancer in 1885. Back then, just like today, there were no cures for cancer. On the upside, there is a nearby establishment that is dedicated to the research and cure of cancer, particularly throat cancer. When President Grant passed away, his body was encased in a temporary brick tomb in Morningside Park. John Duncan designed and completed the new Memorial in 1897. Grant's body was transferred to the Memorial. His wife, who died in 1902 lies next to him in the Memorial.
Grant's Tomb is composed of white granite and is consists of a conical dome sitting atop a square base. Upon entry, you pass through Doric Columns. Annoyingly, at the time we visited the tomb, there was a wedding photography shoot taking place. They were taking up almost all of the entrance. When we walked passed them, they had the nerve to get annoyed with us. The Memorial is a public place and if you decide to have a photo shoot in a public place, they should be prepared for uninvited visitors interrupting them. The Memorial wasn't privately rented and it doesn't belong to them. I don't care how rich you are or how extravagant the wedding is. You don't take up the whole entrance to a public venue. Across the street is the Riverside Church. The outside of the Church is absolutely breathtaking. Normally, we would have been permitted to go inside, but because of that annoying wedding, we were not allowed. Not that I blame them. I wouldn't want 20 students coming into the church on my wedding day either.
Grant's Tomb is composed of white granite and is consists of a conical dome sitting atop a square base. Upon entry, you pass through Doric Columns. Annoyingly, at the time we visited the tomb, there was a wedding photography shoot taking place. They were taking up almost all of the entrance. When we walked passed them, they had the nerve to get annoyed with us. The Memorial is a public place and if you decide to have a photo shoot in a public place, they should be prepared for uninvited visitors interrupting them. The Memorial wasn't privately rented and it doesn't belong to them. I don't care how rich you are or how extravagant the wedding is. You don't take up the whole entrance to a public venue. Across the street is the Riverside Church. The outside of the Church is absolutely breathtaking. Normally, we would have been permitted to go inside, but because of that annoying wedding, we were not allowed. Not that I blame them. I wouldn't want 20 students coming into the church on my wedding day either.
Columbia University
Columbia University was the first college established in NY and the 5th college in the US. The original University was founded in lower Manhattan as King's College. After the Revolution, the name was changed to Columbia University. In 1897, the President of the school, Seth Low decided to move the college uptown so that it would have room to expand. Our favorite Architectural firm, Mckim, Mead, and White were selected to design the campus. The centerpiece of the Campus is the Low Memorial Library. In the middle of the square, you notice a large statue of a figure dressed academic attire with a crown of laurel on her head. The statue is known as the Alma Mater and she is composed of bronze. She holds a book signifying knowledge. Hidden under her garments is a small owl, which signifies wisdom. College legend states that any man who was able to touch the owl was destined to marry a Barnard Graduate. Similarly, if a woman touched the owl, they were destined to marry a Columbia Graduate. Barnard College was originally a woman's college, but it's arm is rooted in Columbia University. Graduates of Barnard College were considered graduates of Columbia University. Among them was the late Joan Rivers. Walking through the campus was really nice and very scenic. It's evident why the college charges so much money. It looks like it is very expensive to maintain the grounds. I was actually quite surprised while walking the campus how big it actually is. I couldn't imagine going to school there. It would take me forever to get from class to class. Along the way, there was this cute little baby bird on the sidewalk. He didn't chirp or move when people came near him. he was so adorable that I decided to take a picture. At the edge of the campus, there is a very steep cliff. On a clear day, if you look far enough, you could see western long island, like Roslyn and Great Neck. At one time, Columbia University wanted to build an athletic center exclusively for their students. The proposed athletic center, unfortunately ended in Morningside Heights and this plan did not include local residents access to the athletic center. After several violent protests, they did not build it.
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Out of all of the things we saw and visited today, this was my favorite attraction. The Cathedral was built after the completion of St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1879 and is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of NY. It is the largest church in the US and the largest Gothic-style church in the world. The Cathedral has room for 3000 worshipers and is over 600 feet in length. In 1907, Ralph Adams Cram had the wonderful task of Gothicizing the parts of the church that were already built. Continuous construction stopped during WWI and has been intermittently under construction since then. Currently, it is considered only 2/3rds finished. It is estimated that it will take over 100 years and more than $100 million to complete the Cathedral according to the original plans that Cram developed. As you walk the length of the Cathedral, it looks burnt down and uninhabitable.
Along the way, we stopped in front of a hospital. The tour guide's wife pointed out that this was one of the nicest original hospitals in NYC. It had a wonderful Trauma unit. What's interesting about this hospital is that one wing was devoted to housing TB Patients. The wing is closed now due to health laws.
Before entering the Cathedral, we stopped outside to look at the gardens and sculptures located to the right of the entrance. The Peace Fountain in the middle wasd sculpted by Gregg Wyatt. It was sculpted to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Episcopalian Diocese of NY. The statue is 40 feet high and depicts the Archangel, Michael fighting off Satan in an epic battle between good an evil. I actually didn't really like this statue. It seems very chaotic with all different themes going on. The statue was completed and unveiled in 1985 and was considered too controversial for people's liking.
When you enter the Cathedral, the first thing you see is the "Phoenix: Xu Bing at the Cathedral." It was a massive chinese dragon with beautiful lights. It was very pretty and without a doubt took a long time to construct, but it almost looks like it doesn't belong in the church. Aside from the "Phoenix", you notice the beautiful stained glass windows depicting different religious figures. As you walk the perimeter, there were many different religious exhibitions ranging from statues, to paintings, to crafts, ceramic sculptures, and granite/marble sculptures. The main altar is surrounded by 8 granite columns, each 55 feet high and weighing 130 lbs tons each. Some important figures that you see inside the Cathedral include Jesus, Mary, Joseph, St. John, St. Paul, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King. The Cathedral was really nice, but I noticed the acoustics were all off center and the things that should have been emphasized weren't, while other exhibits perhaps should have been a background. The church was very big, dark, and drafty. I was, however amazed at the sheer size of the building. It makes you feel like an ant.
Along the way, we stopped in front of a hospital. The tour guide's wife pointed out that this was one of the nicest original hospitals in NYC. It had a wonderful Trauma unit. What's interesting about this hospital is that one wing was devoted to housing TB Patients. The wing is closed now due to health laws.
Before entering the Cathedral, we stopped outside to look at the gardens and sculptures located to the right of the entrance. The Peace Fountain in the middle wasd sculpted by Gregg Wyatt. It was sculpted to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Episcopalian Diocese of NY. The statue is 40 feet high and depicts the Archangel, Michael fighting off Satan in an epic battle between good an evil. I actually didn't really like this statue. It seems very chaotic with all different themes going on. The statue was completed and unveiled in 1985 and was considered too controversial for people's liking.
When you enter the Cathedral, the first thing you see is the "Phoenix: Xu Bing at the Cathedral." It was a massive chinese dragon with beautiful lights. It was very pretty and without a doubt took a long time to construct, but it almost looks like it doesn't belong in the church. Aside from the "Phoenix", you notice the beautiful stained glass windows depicting different religious figures. As you walk the perimeter, there were many different religious exhibitions ranging from statues, to paintings, to crafts, ceramic sculptures, and granite/marble sculptures. The main altar is surrounded by 8 granite columns, each 55 feet high and weighing 130 lbs tons each. Some important figures that you see inside the Cathedral include Jesus, Mary, Joseph, St. John, St. Paul, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther King. The Cathedral was really nice, but I noticed the acoustics were all off center and the things that should have been emphasized weren't, while other exhibits perhaps should have been a background. The church was very big, dark, and drafty. I was, however amazed at the sheer size of the building. It makes you feel like an ant.
Conclusion
Today was a really fun day. I saw a lot of things that I have seen in the city before, but not to this extent. I have a new-found appreciation for Broadway and Times Square and perhaps less of an appreciation for the MOMA. I probably will not leap to visit the MOMA anytime soon. But, i consider myself lucky still because that was the worst experience of the day and the other things we saw were awesome. I had no idea that General Grant's tomb was in Manhattan and it was really nice to see him celebrated as a Person, as a President, and as a War Hero. Columbia University was sort of ok, but we definitely could have spent less time touring the grounds. I was absolutely blown away by the Cathedral of St. John, the Divine. It was so pretty and spiritual inside. It's ashame that I will never see it's completion in it's entirety. This was one of my favorite days in the course. They should keep going to these sights because they're cool and important.