Our NYC History class recently embarked on a one-day walking tour of the Financial District, exploring the rich layers of the city’s past—from its Dutch colonial roots to its Gilded Age grandeur. the tour highlighted how the neighborhood has evolved into a symbol of American finance, politics, and architectural ambition.
Students traced the streets of New Amsterdam, visited Revolutionary-era landmarks, and examined the Art Deco and Beaux-Arts architecture that defines much of the area today. Highlights included a visit to the portrait gallery at City Hall and an up-close look at the stunning Woolworth Building, once the tallest skyscraper in the world. My favorite part was getting an impromptu lecture from the organist at Trinity Church.
Throughout the day, students considered how history, power, and design converge in one of New York’s oldest and most influential neighborhoods. It was a day filled with discovery, discussion, and a deeper appreciation for the city's ever-changing identity. See a full size photo collage here.
