Clocktower Gallery and Clock Machinery Room

May 2, 2007

Led by Tony Guerrero, David Weinstein, and Marvin Schneider

Crowned by one of the city’s few remaining mechanical clocks, the Clock Tower Office is one of a small group of city buildings to hold landmarks for both its interior and exterior parts. Built by architect Stephen D. Hatch from 1894-1898 and later extended by Mckim, Meade & White’s flamboyant palazzo-like pavilion, the Clock Tower Office houses a large main gallery in its top floors and a tower exhibition space originally intended to be architect Stanford White’s entertaining room.

The Collector's Room

April 5, 2007

Led by Chester D. Hooper, Esq., Capt. James J. McNamara, Clay Maitland and The Reverend Jean R. Smith

Historically, the Collector’s Room, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios, was where decisions on international tariffs for goods that entered the Port of New York were made. Adorned in Beaux Arts style replete with murals of major international ports of call and hand-carved woodwork, the Collector’s Room is the interior crown jewel of Cass Gilbert’s Custom House, which celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.

New York Surrogate’s Court / Hall of Records

February 16, 2007

Led by Matt Bakkom and Kenn Cobb

With an unfurling baroque marble staircase inspired by Garnier’s Paris Opera House, and an extensive sculptural program depicting important moments and personalities in the City's history, the New York Surrogate’s Court Building was heralded as the most Parisian monument in New York upon dedication in 1907. This center, following the dictums of the prevailing late 19th century City Beautiful Movement, would counteract the perceived moral decay of a derelict New York with a grandeur able to create a harmonious social order improving the lives of the inner-city poor.

The Tweed Courthouse, The Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank Building rooftop, and the Municipal Building rooftop

November 29, 2006

Led by Andrea Geyer

Located on a site previously occupied by the public common, a poorhouse and various cultural institutions, The New York County Courthouse--better known as the Tweed Courthouse — was the brainchild of municipal power-monger and crook, William Marcy Tweed — the “Boss Tweed” of New York City’s Democratic ’machine.’ Tweed’s manipulation of public opinion and embezzlement of funds in connection with the construction of this building ultimately led to his imprisonment and to Tammany Hall’s loss of political clout.

Abandoned City Hall Subway Station

November 1, 2006

Led by Julia Solis

Described as the most beautiful subway station in the world, the City Hall Subway Station, the “apotheosis of curves,” as House and Garden magazine termed it, was meant as a way to show off the splendor and glamour of New York's first subway line, the Interborough Rapid Transit Company. Succumbing to its unique design, which could not accommodate longer trains, the station saw its last day of passenger service on December 31, 1945, 41 years after it was inaugurated. It has been closed to the public ever since.