March 10 | 6:30pm | 213 Water Street | $10
Join the Seaport Museum and celebrated historian Russell Shorto for a presentation focusing on Shorto’s newly-released book Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America.
The engaging presentation will tell the riveting story of the birth of New York City as a center of capitalism and pluralism, a foundation from which America would rise.
Kick off the opening week of the highly-anticipated three-floor exhibition Maritime City with this first public program held in the newly-renovated exhibition space located within the 1868 warehouse, A.A. Thomson & Co.. Attendees are invited to come early and explore the exhibition before the program begins.
Advanced registration is encouraged for this event but walkups will be accommodated as possible. Books will be available for purchase. A Q&A, book signing, and reception with wine or sparkling water will follow the presentation.
About the Author
Russell Shorto is the author of eight books of narrative history, including the international bestseller The Island at the Center of the World.
Shorto is the director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New-York Historical Society and Senior Scholar at the New Netherland Institute.
In 2009 he was awarded a knighthood from the Dutch government for his work in increasing historical understanding between the Netherlands and the United States.
About Maritime City
The Seaport Museum’s latest exhibition Maritime City highlights how New York City, as we know it today, arose from the sea. Throughout the extensive three-floor exhibition, 540 deliberately-selected objects on view underscore how the city’s identity as a global capital of culture and finance is rooted in its origins as a seaport. By sharing the material culture of New York and its people, the exhibition highlights stories of the working class people employed by ships, shipping lines, and other local industries throughout history, as well as the emigrant workers and immigrant families that came through the port as their first stop in America.
About A.A. Thomson & Co.
This Italianate cast iron and stone warehouse, located at 213 Water Street, was designed by the renowned New York City architect Stephen D. Hatch (1839–1894) in 1868 for Alexander and William A. Thomson of A.A. Thomson & Co.. Before the structure was built, this lot was occupied by two three-story buildings, originally part of a 1750 water lot grant, on what would have been considered one of the principal streets in New York City. At the Building Rededication Ceremony for the warehouse in October 2024, the Museum rededicated the historic warehouse to a renewed purpose, converting this former industrial space to an education venue, welcoming all to see themselves reflected in the Museum.
Enjoy More That the Museum Offers
Enjoy More That the Museum Offers
Access to the historic ships and exhibition galleries at the Seaport Museum is not included with this event. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer, book in advance or ask Museum staff about admission tickets, available Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm when you check in.
Museum admission tickets grant access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16 as well as all current exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street.
Admission tickets for March 12 and later will include entry to the forthcoming Maritime City exhibition in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street. Be among the first to explore this exciting new exhibition and reserve your admission ticket now!