scarlettina: (NYC subway token)
[personal profile] scarlettina
A couple of days ago, I posted a sort of capsule review of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. I found myself, in the wake of reading that book, missing living somewhere as full of history as New York is. I mean, if I'd been living in NYC when I read that book, I'd have hopped the subway into Manhattan and gone to Trinity Church to see Hamilton's grave. After that, I would have maybe stopped at Fraunces Tavern for lunch and a little more history afterwards.

Now, I know, my fellow Seattlites: Seattle is full of history, yes, absolutely. You can't walk in Pioneer Square and miss it. You can see it at the Ballard Locks, at the waterfront, in the architecture around downtown. I know.

But I'm talking about early American history. I grew up around it. Kids who grow up on Long Island are taught about early American history right in the middle of where it happened. I remember one field trip to Philadelphia and two field trips to Washington D.C. by the time I got to 8th grade. We had trips to Old Bethpage Village Restoration and my parents took me to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. I know people who live in Washington state who have never been to our nation's capital and it floors me. But this is what I grew up with. Occasionally, I miss being around buildings more than 150 years old. It's an atmosphere, a sense of place, that Seattle and many West Coast locations just don't have.

Now, the happy news, the news I've been kinda quiet about, is that [livejournal.com profile] jackwilliambell has never been to New York City, and he's decided to take me back east for a long weekend in March. He'll need to get back to work so he'll only be staying three days with me in town, during which time we'll be playing tourist. But I'll be staying another four nights to visit with my brother and with friends as I can fit it all in. I'm so excited. And as Jack has a strong interest in the Revolutionary War era and the founding fathers, I'm certain we're going to be doing a little history hunting while we're in town. I'm so grateful to him for making the trip possible, and I can't wait to get back, even if it's just for a few days.

Yay!

--------------------------------------------
Subjects about which I want to write:

* Upcoming travel
* Missing the ghosts of early American history
* Demons, a new supernatural series on BBCA
* The new season of Big Love
* The new season of Project Runway
* Conventions plans (or not) for 2010

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 01:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] prettyshrub.livejournal.com
This is not meant to be in any way snarky, but have you looked into the local native american history?

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
I guess what I'm getting at here is urban history and architecture as much as anything. I'm aware of the Native American history in the region and it's not my intention to dismiss First Nations heritage; certainly I have much more to learn, but for me it's part of a different area of interest than what I'm talking about. Some of this, too, is nostalgia for where I grew up, and that's not something Seattle will ever be able to assuage.

This, however, it a good thought. I should take advantage of more of the resources around here about the Native American history and heritage around Seattle.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] joycemocha.livejournal.com
Seattle has some excellent resources. Years ago I saw an incredible Northwest Coast trade blanket display at UW--of the sort that were worn as ritual coats. Incredibly stunning.

If you ever get out to Neah Bay, the Makah Reserve has a great museum (one thing I cannot stress enough for anyone with an interest in history is that the Native museums on reservations tend to be stunning. I've yet to meet one I haven't liked--traditional and contemporary artists, plus history from the Native perspective).

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 08:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] prettyshrub.livejournal.com
You are quite right about urban history and architecture being different and unique from other sorts of history and artifacts. Nostalgia also has its own merits. :)

But I do get an awed feeling when I see a garment or tool from hundreds of years ago that someone lived with everyday.

I also second joycemocha's comment about Neah Bay and the Makah museum.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] girasole.livejournal.com
Is he coming to the Malibu too? Inquiring friends want to lay eyes on him!

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
Sadly he'll only be in town from that Friday through Sunday evening, so no Malibu for him. I wish 'twere otherwise.

ETA: Jack and I talked tonight via Skype (he's in China on business) and we may try to plot a lunch for a select smaller group of people to meet during the weekend when he's here--if folks are available. Will keep you apprised.
Edited Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:48 am (UTC)

New York

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladyjestocost.livejournal.com
Have tons of fun! Don't stay! :)

Re: New York

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
:: chuckle :: Have I ever yet?

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] exiledfromtribe.livejournal.com
Ah, I'm glad that I checked in to LJ. =) As a U.S. history major (hobbyist), the first thing that I think about the East is the historical wealth to be found there. Buildings are great historical artifacts because they're big and made of stone. They also give a really visceral sense of history; you're standing where someone else did, looking at what they saw.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
...you're standing where someone else did, looking at what they saw.

Yes, yes, yes! How many eyes have beheld what I see when I look at the Statue of Liberty? Or the Empire State Building? Or Independence Hall? These things create a connection that can't be created in almost any other way.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] criada.livejournal.com
I know what you mean. I remember travelling though Europe, and being almost overwhelmed by the fact that almost every single field is the site of some battle or ruin. I've got a friend who was an exchange student from Ireland. He was talking to a guy over here, and the guy was like, "I grew up in this really old house. It was ahundred years old!" and my Irish friend responded with, "my grandma's house is four hundred years old."

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lyonessnyc.livejournal.com
OOH! Dinnergang? That was so much fun last time!

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
I'd love to, but it will be a tricky thing to juggle given how I'm planning things out. Will keep you apprised as I'd love to do it again. We'll see.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bedii.livejournal.com
Don't forget to visit the Michelangelo (http://www.frenchculture.org/spip.php?article2931)

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 04:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com
jackwilliambell has never been to New York City

Oh, you're kidding!

How much do you think you can get for the Brooklyn Bridge?

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] e-bourne.livejournal.com
Envious, I am. Oh, Oh, go to the (no longer new) Greek and Roman wing at the Met!! If I can't go, someone who would love it should! And just go to wander through the Egyptian exhibits again. *sigh*

I know what you mean. Where Wall St. -really- means something.

Oh you. Go! Go have a good time and come back with photos and tell me all about it. Aargh! Envy!

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
Jack asked to go to a "really good museum." I laughed. Of course, it'll be the Met--good heavens! And yes, of course there will be pictures, too. :-)

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] holyoutlaw.livejournal.com
Just as long as it isn't 5-7 March, this is a great idea!

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
Don't worry. We won't be missing Potlatch. :-)

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:51 pm (UTC)
herself_nyc: (Default)
From: [personal profile] herself_nyc
Yay!

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] willowgreen.livejournal.com
I was talking to someone at church a couple of weeks ago who said she just wasn't that interested in New York City, and I just about fell over. I mean, I've met people who dislike New York, and I kind of get that--but simply to find it uninteresting? Inconceivable!

My spouse grew up within bicycling distance of Old Bethpage Village, btw, but I've still never been there. I'm going to have to insist on visiting the next time we go see the in-laws.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com
I think that people who aren't interested in New York City either don't have a real sense of what the city is about or is like, they don't have an interest or understanding in history or culture, or are just afraid of The Big City. I knew someone in Seattle in my first years here who moved here after growing up in a town of 100 citizens where eight of the people were his siblings and two were his parents. The suburbs of Seattle were too much for him, much less the city itself. Some people just don't get cities, city living and what it offers. To each their own.

Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 05:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] willowgreen.livejournal.com
This particular person had been stationed in Antarctica for a year and really loved it. As you say, to each their own!

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