Walking Broadway: Thirteen Miles of Architecture and History

Description

Walking Broadway encapsulates the architectural history of Manhattan with fourteen walks that guide readers along New York's most famous street. Walking Broadway offers readers an architectural tour of the entire length of Broadway from Bowling Green to the Harlem River. Through fourteen structured walks the book not only presents the history of New York's most famous avenue, but also explores its architecture in depth, block by block, building by building. This is a book about what can be seen and experienced on Broadway today. Buildings are chosen for discussion first and foremost because they are interesting to look at. In a relaxed and engaging style, the author presents the building's story, explores the reasons why it is there, and explains why it looks the way it does. Along the way, the reader not only has the chance to discover fascinating and unusual buildings, but also gains a comprehensive understanding of the historic, social, economic, and political forces which shaped Broadway's growth and character.

Art historian William Hennessey has taught at Vassar College, the University of Kansas, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Michigan and directed the art museums at each of those institutions. From 1997 to 2014 he was director of the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. Hennessey is the author of catalogues and articles on a variety of art and design topics, including nineteenth-century architecture and twentieth-century industrial design.

"A treasure trove of buildings and colorful stories that you likely never knew about on one of the world's most storied streets." - The Daily Beast "Walking Broadway is about seeing the city with fresh eyes. - New York Post "The perfect pandemic companion, inspiring movement, fresh air, and contemplation. Hennessey takes readers through the city's oldest north-south street, which began as the Wickquasgeck trail before the arrival of Europeans, and describes the evolution of its social, economic, and cultural history through the lens of its most interesting buildings." - Oculus A splendid guide for a summer stroll through Manhattan. - The Bowery Boys "Hennessey has thoughtfully created fourteen walks readers can take with book in hand. . . . It doesn't matter the time of day - morning, afternoon, or evening. Put on your comfortable shoes and get ready for a wonderful walking tour." - Experience Nomad "You'll love the author's engaging style as you explore the reasons why a building exists in the style it features, along with a comprehensive understanding of the historic, social, economic, and political forces that coalesced to shape Broadway's growth and character." - Beauty News NYC