Archive | History

Where Did Santa Come From? New York!

Ever wondered about the origins of Santa Claus? Believe it or not, Santa came from… New York! While it’s true that Santa (a.k.a. Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Kris Kringle) has diverse and ancient roots, the rotund, jolly gift-giver venerated in the U.S. (and—via our media—now throughout the world) sprang to life in 19th century Manhattan. […]

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Till Death Do Us Part: The Love Story of Jonathan Reed

Brooklyn merchant Jonathan Reed was devoted to his wife Mary. When she died in 1893, he bought a mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, in which she was laid to rest, along with an empty coffin for him. According to the New York Times, Reed furnished the tomb “just like a living room in a fine […]

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An Ode to Old New York, in Video

Be transported back to the historic Lower East Side of old New York with this short video. It’s an especially evocative excerpt from Ric Burns’ New York, combining vintage images with the familiar tune and lyrics.

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