Journal 4
The Village
Chelsea and the Village
Today is 87⁰ F, a typical summer day. Out of Penn Station, a couple of blocks to the west there is the neighborhood of Chelsea. According to ENY (p.105), In 1759 Thomas Clark purchased 94 acres of land along the Hudson River, and later passed to his grandson ‘the poet’ Clement Clark Moore. In 19th century, stylish townhouses were developed on what once was countryside.
However, after 1847 the Hudson River Railroad laid tracks through Chelsea and it became a heavily industrialized area. Leading to the exodus of middle-class residents and the coming in of poor Irish immigrants into the area to work in the slaughter houses, breweries and factories. Because at the beginning of the 19th century NYC transportation was scarce, workers had to live close to their job and neighborhoods around public transportation were over crowded with working class people.
Up until 1990s, Chelsea had many garages, warehouses and was cheaper than nearby Soho (full of galleries paying exorbitant rents) that led to the moving of galleries into Chelsea, becoming a prestigious center off the NY art world.
Right after, the High Line was born. An abandon elevated freight line was transformed into an elegant elevated natural garden. Now is such a popular destination that attracts tourists and the construction of buildings and hotel around it.
The High Line, up to 1930, was known as the ‘death avenue’ because of the many fatalities on the crowded city; it was then when the line got elevated 30 feet to solve such problem. By 1980 it fell out of use and became abandon for 2 decades, until in 1999 it became threatened to be demolished and a non-profit community group was formed to save it and convert it into an elevated park.
As we walked north to south the High Line, you cannot stop admiring the wild vegetation, all color flowers and ‘the beautiful people’ enjoying, eating, sun bathing and even making out sitting on the movable benches on top of the train rails.
Off the High Line to the galleries, it was a relief from the summer heat outside. I was really impressed to discover that those galleries were free and open to the public. What I learned was that a gallery can be defined as a private space devoted to display and sell works of art. You just walk in, look around and walk out without anybody noticing you. Among the wonderful and expensive (many thousands of dollars) art in West Chelsea, I found some interesting designs, pattern and even exotic pictures.
If anybody is planning on gallery ‘hoping’, which means what it sounds, then it could be useful to visit the chelseagallerymap.com, a website that describes what the galleries are showing or may seem interesting for you. It may save you time, since it is known to be around 500 galleries around Chelsea.
As we walked through Chelsea, we visited another beautiful Gothic Revival Church, this time was St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (346 W.20th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues). It was design by the same Moore and completed in 1836. Mr. Tony was extremely kindly to open the church for us and let us admire its interior. Definitely a religious experience. The church seems well kept in the inside and outside.
Chelsea Market
Personally, the highlight of the day was when we walked into the Chelsea Market (my jaw just dropped). This place is so unbelievable and appealing to me, really loved it. According to ENY (p.109), this building used to be the Nabisco plant back in 1912, here is where the first Oreo cookie was made. However, now days is an upscale food market with a variety of stores and places to eat and satisfy anyone’s taste and budget. From $1 pizza to $50 lobster, is so amazing. Definitely, this market has its own charm with tourists and visitors that just love and enjoy the wide variety of foods within. I really indulged myself in the Thai restaurant and sushi; just what I needed after all the walking under the heat of the midday.
Washington Square Park was another interesting place, full of interesting people. This arch has incredible historical facts, and Mike pointed out his personal experience when he run into the pushers in the early 80’s. He spoken about the meaning of the Washington Arch, burial of the indigent people, and the oldest elm tree. I was impressed with the arch detail.
Merchant’s House Museum (MHM)
The MHM is frozen on time, as in life at home in the 19th century in NYC. Built in 1832, is the only home preserved virtually intact, with original family furnishings and personal belongings, as well as the outside. As soon as you walk through the beautiful doorway, you can go back in time and place in NYC.
This house belonged to the Tredwell family and their Irish servants for almost 100 years (1835-1933). The tour guide walk us through the 4 floors of this Federal and Greek Revival Style row house, a NYC landmark, with a romantic 19th century garden. Such garden is accessible for wedding pictures too.
Overall, it was another excellent adventure in New York City, the city that never sleeps..
Today is 87⁰ F, a typical summer day. Out of Penn Station, a couple of blocks to the west there is the neighborhood of Chelsea. According to ENY (p.105), In 1759 Thomas Clark purchased 94 acres of land along the Hudson River, and later passed to his grandson ‘the poet’ Clement Clark Moore. In 19th century, stylish townhouses were developed on what once was countryside.
However, after 1847 the Hudson River Railroad laid tracks through Chelsea and it became a heavily industrialized area. Leading to the exodus of middle-class residents and the coming in of poor Irish immigrants into the area to work in the slaughter houses, breweries and factories. Because at the beginning of the 19th century NYC transportation was scarce, workers had to live close to their job and neighborhoods around public transportation were over crowded with working class people.
Up until 1990s, Chelsea had many garages, warehouses and was cheaper than nearby Soho (full of galleries paying exorbitant rents) that led to the moving of galleries into Chelsea, becoming a prestigious center off the NY art world.
Right after, the High Line was born. An abandon elevated freight line was transformed into an elegant elevated natural garden. Now is such a popular destination that attracts tourists and the construction of buildings and hotel around it.
The High Line, up to 1930, was known as the ‘death avenue’ because of the many fatalities on the crowded city; it was then when the line got elevated 30 feet to solve such problem. By 1980 it fell out of use and became abandon for 2 decades, until in 1999 it became threatened to be demolished and a non-profit community group was formed to save it and convert it into an elevated park.
As we walked north to south the High Line, you cannot stop admiring the wild vegetation, all color flowers and ‘the beautiful people’ enjoying, eating, sun bathing and even making out sitting on the movable benches on top of the train rails.
Off the High Line to the galleries, it was a relief from the summer heat outside. I was really impressed to discover that those galleries were free and open to the public. What I learned was that a gallery can be defined as a private space devoted to display and sell works of art. You just walk in, look around and walk out without anybody noticing you. Among the wonderful and expensive (many thousands of dollars) art in West Chelsea, I found some interesting designs, pattern and even exotic pictures.
If anybody is planning on gallery ‘hoping’, which means what it sounds, then it could be useful to visit the chelseagallerymap.com, a website that describes what the galleries are showing or may seem interesting for you. It may save you time, since it is known to be around 500 galleries around Chelsea.
As we walked through Chelsea, we visited another beautiful Gothic Revival Church, this time was St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (346 W.20th St. between 8th and 9th Avenues). It was design by the same Moore and completed in 1836. Mr. Tony was extremely kindly to open the church for us and let us admire its interior. Definitely a religious experience. The church seems well kept in the inside and outside.
Chelsea Market
Personally, the highlight of the day was when we walked into the Chelsea Market (my jaw just dropped). This place is so unbelievable and appealing to me, really loved it. According to ENY (p.109), this building used to be the Nabisco plant back in 1912, here is where the first Oreo cookie was made. However, now days is an upscale food market with a variety of stores and places to eat and satisfy anyone’s taste and budget. From $1 pizza to $50 lobster, is so amazing. Definitely, this market has its own charm with tourists and visitors that just love and enjoy the wide variety of foods within. I really indulged myself in the Thai restaurant and sushi; just what I needed after all the walking under the heat of the midday.
Washington Square Park was another interesting place, full of interesting people. This arch has incredible historical facts, and Mike pointed out his personal experience when he run into the pushers in the early 80’s. He spoken about the meaning of the Washington Arch, burial of the indigent people, and the oldest elm tree. I was impressed with the arch detail.
Merchant’s House Museum (MHM)
The MHM is frozen on time, as in life at home in the 19th century in NYC. Built in 1832, is the only home preserved virtually intact, with original family furnishings and personal belongings, as well as the outside. As soon as you walk through the beautiful doorway, you can go back in time and place in NYC.
This house belonged to the Tredwell family and their Irish servants for almost 100 years (1835-1933). The tour guide walk us through the 4 floors of this Federal and Greek Revival Style row house, a NYC landmark, with a romantic 19th century garden. Such garden is accessible for wedding pictures too.
Overall, it was another excellent adventure in New York City, the city that never sleeps..