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A Modest ProposalFrom The Peopling of New York CityHomepage User:Yanwar
Stage 1: Proposal to Investigate Park AvenueThe Initial Stages Although there were a number of streets that I wanted to learn more about, I decided to focus on Park Avenue. My initial research lead me to learn that the “story” of Fourth and Park Avenue is directly related to the history of railroads in the city. In the 19th century, New York & Harlem Railroad, with the permission of the city, decided to run its steam locomotives along Fourth Avenue.[1] As time moved on, perpetual complaints about noise and sanitation prevented further construction below 42nd Street (this explains why Grand Central is located where it is). Later in the century, a real estate “scheme” was devised; the rails that lead to Grand Central were now underground, and Fourth Avenue was renamed to be classier as Park Avenue. Subsequently, property values rose on Park Avenue. Later, part of Fourth Avenue from 17th to 32nd Street was named Park Avenue South. [2] At this point in my research, I could clearly see that Park Avenue had an incredibly dynamic history that I was interested in researching. The development of railroads in New York City definitely affected the demographics of the area; people could now commute to work from one borough to another, lending to opportunities for immigrants to search for low-cost housing out of Manhattan. Narrowing it Down After researching sections of Park Avenue, I decided to narrow my research to focus between 66th and 67th streets. The main reason I decided to do this was because of the presence of the Seventh Regiment Armory located at 643 Park Avenue. The Seventh Regiment, known as the “silk stocking regiment” for the enrollment of its prestigious members, was the largest and most admired volunteer militia in the country during the nineteenth century. [3] New York City came to depend on this militia, which regularly was asked to quell civil disorders such as the Astor Place Riot of 1849; it also helped fight large fires and took part in protecting citizens and businesses. Additionally, the Seventh Regiment participated in important events, such as the inaugurations of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883 and the Statue of Liberty in 1886. It also guarded the remains of President Lincoln upon its arrival in the city. [4] The Armory The first home of the Seventh Regiment was on the lower East Side. However, by 1868 it was argued that the regiment needed to be in a neighborhood more convenient to its members as well as the population it protected, which was migrating north. In addition to a large hall (to be used to for arms and ammunition storage), the members wanted a ceremonial setting in which to impress recruits with the regiment’s glorious past. The reason I include this history is to show that the armory also functioned much like the men’s clubs of New York, which served social purposes. [4] As I continued to research the history of the armory, I learned the city was originally going to contribute large sums of money for the new building. However, due to difficult economic times, this did not happen. The regiment realized it had to make an effort to build the necessary armor by subscriptions from the active and veteran members of the Regiment, and from the citizens, business men, and tax-payers of the city of New York. Donations were received from prominent New Yorkers such as John Jacob Astor and William H. Vanderbilt. The growing middle class also participated, for they saw this as an opportunity to invest in its protection from civil strife. [4] What to Look ForThis history of this regiment tells a captivating story about the development of an institution that is shaped by the political and social forces of the time. Little did I know when I started researching Park Avenue that such an incredible story was waiting to be told on one of its blocks. For my proposal, I plan to research the armory and how it followed a wealthy population as it moved north. I want to learn what made these people so influential in terms of their occupations. Also, did these people have honest intentions in their support for the armory? How did the changing demographics of this section of Park Avenue affect those in the lower income brackets? Overall, Park Avenue is important to research because of its role in the “Peopling of New York.” It is important to understand how this area developed and how it helps to explain social institutions in New York City. My goal is to ultimately focus on the story of this armory, and how it shaped the development of New York City. As such, my plan was to visit archives and hopefully learn about the lives of several people who lived on this block; from their stories I weaved together a narrative of how their lives represent the nature of the block itself. To learn about the places I visited for my research, read on...
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