Billy Niblo is quite the man these days, despite being gone since 1878 !
Come hear this blogger speak about Niblo’s fascinating career as New York’s premier tavernkeep and then pleasure garden owner in the early and mid-19th century at The November 12th meeting of The Victorian Society of America / NYC Metro Chapter. Herewith, the deets:
East in Eden: William Niblo and His Pleasure Garden of Yore
Lecture wtih Benjamin Feldman
Tuesday, November 12, 2012
6:00 pm
Reception to Follow
William Niblo, an early 19th-century coffee house owner and hotelier, transformed a square block on Broadway (in today’s Soho) into an open-air “pleasure garden” lit by hanging lanterns. Later renovations housed an ornate tavern and concert hall. Niblo used this theater to present P.T. Barnum’s first exhibition as well as the premiere of Verdi’s Macbeth and the first so-called Broadway musical comedy. Benjamin Feldman is a scholar of 19th-century social history and biography and the author of two books and numerous journal articles; he blogs at newyorkwanderer.com.
Location: Dominican Academy, 44 East 68th Street, New York, NY 0065
Admission: Free; no reservations required.
AND SAVE THE DATE: July 12th, 2014, at Green-Wood Cemetery by the Niblo Mausoleum at Crescent Water, evening time, we will hold the second annual, new and improved “Night at Niblo’s Garden,” a picnic and performance extravaganza, co-sponsored by The Victorian Society of American, Metro Chapter. Whiskey and Beer, sherberts and shandys will be flowing at the mens’ and ladies’ saloons: bring your own picnic and come enjoy opera, legerdemain, acrobatics and arias from “The Black Crook,” America’s first musical, premiered at Niblo’s right after the Civil War. Last year’s show was a sold out in advance crowd pleasing smash: http://www.homereporternews.com/news/a-night-at-niblo-s-garden-at-green-wood-cemetery/article_4315fe50-0528-11e3-909f-0019bb2963f4.html so you’d best keep a sharp eye peeled and add your name to the Green-Wood History Fund’s mailing list to get good blanket space ! Email the GHF at contactus@green-wood.com
