LITTLE CHURCH AROUND THE CORNER (c) A Vibrant Refuge Today By Polly Guerin

Nestled in the middle of the block, at 1 East 29th Street in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan, New Yorker’s might suddenly stand in awe and admire the site of a quaint Episcopal, Church of the Transfiguration, which became known as the Little Church Around the Corner. Time is freeze framed where the sanctuary is set back from the street behind a garden, which in contrast to the skyscraper giants creates a facsimile of the English countryside. A refuge from modern society, the church has long been an oasis for New Yorkers of all faiths, who relax in the garden, pray in the chapel or come for the free lunchtime concerts.

LEGENDARY EPISODES The church’s storied history always stressed service to the poor and oppressed from its earliest days. The congregation was founded in 1848 by the Rev. Dr. George Hendric Houghton and worshipped in a home at 48 East 29th Street until church was built and consecrated in 1849. Rev. Houghton was a man ahead of his time and was a brave supporter of the oppressed. In 1863, during the Civil War Draft Riots, Houghton gave sanctuary to African Americans who were under attack but when rioters showed up at the church, Houghton turned them away saying “You white devils, you! Do you know nothing of the spirit of Christ?”

SERVICE TO THE OPPRESSED
Actors were among the social outcasts in the 1870s so it is no wonder that they found refuge at the church. When an actor named George Holland died a rector of Church of Atonement, which is no longer extant, refused to conduct funeral services for the actor, he suggested, “I believe there is a little church around the corner where they do that sort of thing.” Joseph Jefferson, a fellow actor who was trying to arrange Holland’s burial, exclaimed, “If that be so, God bless the Little Church around the Corner!” and that is how the church began a longstanding association with the theater and affectionately acquired the quaint name. In 1923, the Episcopal Actors’ Guild held its first meeting at Transfiguration and celebrated actors Basil Rathbone, Tallulah Bankhead and Rex Harrison have served as officers or council members.

THE LITTLE CHURCH AROUND THE CORNER is also a favorite wedding site. When P.G. Wodehouse, was living in Greenwich Village he married his wife Ethel at the Little Church in 1914. Not surprising, subsequently Wodehouse set most of his fictionalized weddings at the church; and in the hit musical “Sally” that he wrote with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton, paid tribute to the Bohemian congregation where so many lives began and ended. Notably Sir Rex Harrison was memorialized at the church upon his death in 1990 and Maggie Smith and Brendan Gill were among the celebrated stars who spoke at the service. The Little Church’s association with the theatre continues today with programs and performances by talented actors.

In 1967, the Little Church Around the Corner, was designated a New York landmark and in 1973 it was listed on the national Register of Historic Places. www.littlechurch.org. Historian guides often give tours of the church, contact the church for the schedule.

CROSSROADS OF A MILLION LIVES, The New York Transit Museum (c) By Polly Guerin

Calling all train enthusiasts, youngest train fans and history buffs--- GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL’S 100th birthday is in February, 2013, and you’re invited to a year-long party with special family tours and scavenger hunts in the place that is known as the “crossroads of a million lives.” Celebrate by visiting the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex at Grand Central Terminal at 42nd Street and Park Avenue, Shuttle Passage adjacent to the Station Master’s Office, where you’ll find popular exhibits to entertain and educate.

THE NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM located on the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, in Brooklyn Heights, one of the city’s leading cultural institutions, is the largest museum in the United States devoted to urban public transportation history, and one of the premier institutions of its kind in the world. Since its inception, over a quarter century ago, the Museum, housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights is the custodian and interpreter of the region’s extensive public transportation networks, which has grown in scope and through its public programs. The NYTM’s galleries feature popular exhibits such as steel, Stone and Backbone, which recounts the tale of building New York City’s 100 year old subway system.

THE FATHER OF THE NEW YORK SUBWAY SYSTEM Legend has it that this rich and vibrant history would not be complete without mentioning Abram Stevens Hewitt, one time mayor of the City of New York (1887-88). During his administration he concentrated on major municipal improvements in the city. He was noted for his public spirit and is best known for the planning and financing of the New York subway system. By the 1890s, new elevated lines were being used extensively by the city’s prosperous middle and upper classes on the way to and from their daily activities. Hewitt is recognized as the “Father of the New York Subway system.”

MEET MISS SUBWAYS: New York’s Beauty Queens 1941-1976, in Brooklyn Heights through March 25, 2013. Miss Subways was New York’s most iconic and democratic beauty contest. Young women of mostly middle and working class backgrounds were selected, not just for their looks, but for the aspirations and dreams they had for their futures, and during l942-76 their portraits and biographies were displayed in subway cars throughout the city. You can see their current and former portraits and hear their voices in this poignant exhibit.

WITH MILES AND MILES OF RAILS AND TALES TO TELL TAKE TIME TO VISIT THE TRANSIT MUSEUM THIS YEAR. Contact www.mta/info/museum

POMANDER WALK: An English Country Village (c) By Polly Guerin

New York City is full of surprises! No need to travel to Europe to get a glimpse of an English country village. Just get off the beaten path and go to the upper west side and stroll down from Broadway to West End Avenue and you will literally stumble upon Pomander Walk located between 94th and 95th streets.. This picturesque charming village conceals eight attached Tudor-style houses hidden behind locked wrought iron gates, so entry is very private. One wonders, however,—who lives here?—and how and who was the builder of the Lilliputian town?
POMANDER WALK INSPIRED Once upon a time, after a run in London, the play "Pomander Walk," a romantic comedy came to Broadway in 191l--and there you are-- that’s how this hidden treasure got its name. Thomas Healy, an Irish immigrant who made his fortune as a restaurant owner and ardent theater lover, purchased the land for the walk in 1920. He commissioned the architects Shiras Campbell and Beverly King to build a residential enclave there, and asked them to replicate the country village of the sets from “Pomander Walk.” The sets were used as inspiration but the architects altered the original design to look more Tudoresque.
WHO LIVES THERE? It is legend that Healy built Pomander Walk to attract actors and Pomander did draw the theatre folk. It is said that Lillian Gish, Humphrey Bogart lived there, but it is more than certain that that flamboyant Rosalind Russell and Paulette Goddard did have digs of their own.. At first the houses were built with two bedroom apartments, but later renters combined the two making the house into a family home trimmed with bright reds, greens and blues, some with shutters, some with window boxes and a miniature garden in front. Pomander Walk was landmarked by the city in 1982.

As high-rise buildings hover over Pomander Walk the Lilliputian houses are miniaturized and made even more intriguing by the sheer charm of the place . Even if you fancy having the opportunity to live there, affording it can be a drawback. In today’s market, a single family house can go in the millions and an apartment pricey as well. For now we can only peer through the gates at a living stage inspired by the sets in a play by the same name.

COLLECTORS CLUB, PHILATELIC HEADQUARTERS (c) By Polly Guerin

An elegant five-story brownstone nestled in the historic enclave of Murray Hill, at 22 East 35th Street, is often passed without a ruffle of interest by ordinary foot traffic, except if one is a stamp collector or the curious onlooker. Yet, if one pauses, as I often do to look at the exterior, I wondered, “What is this charming building doing here?” I had the opportunity recently to learn more about this storied place when I was invited by a club member to a holiday party.
HISTORICAL REFERENCE Standing in the shadow of the Empire State Building the Collectors Club, philatelic headquarters, is distinguished by its fascinating façade. In 1902 the famous architect Stanford White completely redesigned the structure for an art dealer and collector, whose new home garnered lavish praise for its beauty and became a showcase for his art collection. Thanks to the generosity of Alfred Lichtenstein, one of the giants of early philately, it became the Club’s permanent home in 1938 and in 1979, it was designated an historic landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. A $1 million renovations in 2001 restored the famous windows and assured the interior/exterior of the Clubhouse would meet the needs of the club well into the future.
THE LIBRARY A treasure trove of documents, auction records, famous stamp collections, the Collector’s club boasts one of the most extensive philatelic libraries anywhere in the world. Beyond housing some of the rare pieces in philatelic literature, it is very much a ‘working’ library. Members can research or browse through thousands of philatelic publications, comprehensive groups of historical periodicals and extensive runs of priced auction catalogues. They also boast a Youth Stamp Club to encourage a new generation of collectors.
EARLY FOUNDERS In the Golden Age of stamp collection the Club was founded in New York City in the summer of 1896 as a way to “gather…all the societies, all the auctions and all the philatelic interests of the city.” It counted among its members leading, even legendary, names in philately. Founding members included John W. Scott of catalog and album fame, John Nicolas Luff, Hiram Deats, and Charles Mekell. Later members included such famous names as Alfred F. Lichtenstein and Theodore Steinway to name a few. One of the most famous honorary members was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who lived in the Murray Hill area at the time and also attended the Church of the Incarnation at the corner of 35th and Madison Avenue.

If you intend to visit: The Collectors Club is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm; however, call ahead to make an appointment. (212.683-0559). The library and its support committee are available on Wednesdays, also from 10 to 5 pm. If you are interested in membership contact the Membership Secretary at collectorsclub@nac.net.

SNIFFEN COURT...HISTORICAL PRIVATE ALLEY (c) By Polly Guerin

New York’s hidden treasures can be just down a side street in historic Murray Hill section of the city where a miniature village exists. Still framed in time it lets us vicariously travel back to the Civil War era in old New York. On a nonchalant stroll we may find ourselves in front of the locked gate on 36th street between Lexington and Third Avenues where an intimate group of 10 picturesque houses are ensconced with traces of foliage, potted flowers and window boxes to complete the picturesque site.
ORIGINALLY STABLES These two storied structures were originally stables owned by old New York families who lived in Murray Hill and now are a testament to historical preservation. Let’s not forget that this area was considered in those days as a very tony part of old New York and many celebrated New Yorker’s moved to this area, far uptown some said at the time. The structures are brick, some in their natural brownstone color and others painted various shades of gray and green while others are black. To the most part they are considered as early Romanesque Revival.
THE BUILDER The ten brick stables were build in the 1850s by a local builder John Sniffen and were converted into town houses in the 1920s with a studio at the south end. Horses once watered at the hand pump in front of the rear way at the far end of the flagstone-paved alley. Plaques of Greek horsemen adorn the rear wall by the sculptress, Malvina Hoffman, who maintained her studio there during the 1920s and 30s. When carriages were replaced by automobiles, individual premises were converted into dwellings with common access to the alley.
THE AMATEUR COMEDY CLUB Number One on Sniffen Court has been owned by the Amateur Comedy Club since 1884, and registered as a legitimate theater, albeit a private one. It is not open to the public but stages legitimate shows strictly by and for the amusement of its own members and social circle. I was fortunate to attend several performances as a guest of a member and I am reminded how truly professional these thespians are performing as they do staged classic revivals. The only time the club broke their private rule was during WWI, when it became a dramatic theater company for the entertainment of military service members.
THE MURRAY LADIES ENTERTAIN There are other historic sites worth seeing while you are in Murray Hill. Legend has it that Mrs. Mary Lindley Murray and her daughters entertained British General Howe and his troops for tea, while General Putnam and his American troops moved northward. The Murray home, Belmont, was located at Park Avenue and 37th Street, on their farm known as Inclenberg. A bronze plaque honoring Mary Lindley Murray, placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution, is embedded in a boulder in the southern mall at Park Avenue and 37th Street.
Visit Sniffen Court, a New York Historic District and National Register of Historic Places, at 150-158 East 36th Street. IMAGES, courtesy of the Estate of Dean Avery, of historic and architecturally important buildings in Murray Hill are available for purchase as black-and-white note cards, prints and a map through www.murrayhillnyc.org.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT, 26th President's Birthplace (c) Polly Guerin

The flamboyant, Rough Rider, Theodore Roosevelt is a bona fide New Yorker and his boyhood home attests to this fact. One of the historic sites in New York that deserves a visit is the brownstone home of the only President born in New York City, Theodore Roosevelt, who would grow up to be our 26th President of the United States and immortalized on Mount Rushmore. Imagine strolling near Gramercy Park on 20th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue South and there at 28 East 20th Street is the four-story brownstone, Roosevelt’s birthplace. After Roosevelt’s death in 1919, the site was purchased by the Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association and rebuilt and decorated with many of its original furnishings by Roosevelt’s sisters and wife. The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, preserved with artifacts, is a legend in history and contains five period rooms, two museum galleries and a small bookstore. His rough rider uniform is among the rare objects on display.
TR’s BIRTHPLACE "Teedie", as young Roosevelt was nicknamed, was born on October 27, 1858 into a wealthy family in New York City, but the bright boy suffered from asthma and was tutored at home studying natural history. To improve his health Teedie began an exercise program at the at the house’s outdoor gymnasium that to compensate for his physical weakness, he started a lifelong passion for the “strenuous life.” Encouraged by his father, Teedie began exercising and boxing to combat his poor physical condition. Fortified and able he eventually attended Harvard University, where he studied biology.
THE ROUGH RIDER After graduating from Harvard, Roosevelt pursued his boyhood dreams, as a rancher, naturalist, explorer, author and Colonel of the Rough Riders, the first U.S. volunteer Cavalry Regiment serving in the Spanish-American War. His political service included reforming the U.s. Civil Service Commission. He was a commissioner, 1895-97 of the New York City Police Department and reformed what was considered at the time to be the most corrupt police force in the country.
BECOMING PRESIDENT After two years as President of the New York Board of Police Roosevelt was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897-98. He led his Rough Riders up San Juan Hill in Cuba and after this courageous charge he was elected Governor of New York and then vice president to William McKinley. TR became president when President McKinley was assassinated in September 1901. Roosevelt was 42 years old  when sworn in as President making him the youngest president ever. As President, Roosevelt pushed progressive reforms, and brokered a peace agreement between both sides in the Russo-Japanese War, The Treaty of Portsmouth was signed September 5, 1905 ending the conflict and earned TR a Nobel Peace prize.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT WAS DISTANTLY RELATED BY BIRTH TO THE 32ND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT (THEY WERE FIFTH COUSINS), AND HE WAS THE UNCLE OF FRANKLIN D. ROSSEVELT’S WIFE, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT. SAGAMORE HILL, NEAR OYSTER DAY, LONG ISLAND, SERVED AS TR'S SUMMER WHITE HOUSE,

Visit his Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed on major holidays. The period rooms can only be seen by Park Ranger guided tours. Reservations required. Telephone 212.260.1616.

SHANGRI LA, DORIS DUKE'S ISLAMIC TREASURE (c) By Polly Guerin

Many people may dream of creating an imaginary paradise on earth, a faraway haven of idyllic beauty and tranquility, but no person could have done it as well as Doris Duke, the quintessential heiress who built her exotic utopia in Honolulu, Hawaii. She filled it with Islamic treasures and patterned its ambiance with rare tiles, textiles, ceramics and artifacts. I regret that I never visited Duke’s Shangri-La but MAD; the Museum of Art & Design on Columbus Circle in New York City has remedied that desire. The exhibition explores the synthesis of 1930’s modernist architecture, tropical landscape and Islamic Art Doris Duke achieved at Shangri La. It is open to the public through next year, February 2013.
SHANGRI LA AT LAST Opening during the centennial year of Doris Duke’s (1912-93) birth this is the first major exhibition about Shangri La to be shown outside of Hawaii. It tells the story of her transformative engagement with the Islamic world that brings her work at Shangri La to national audiences. Doris was ahead of her time in collecting Islamic art and the exhibition is a breathtaking presentation of the spectacular Honolulu home of this philanthropic art collector.
DORIS DUKE’S PASSION Shangri La reflects Doris Duke’s aesthetic passion for collecting rare and historic Islamic art. The impressive home incorporates carved marble doorways, decorated screens, coffered ceilings, floral ceramic tiles, and everywhere exuberant color. Inlaid mother-of-pearl wood furniture reminds me of the beautiful bedroom suite in her house at Rough Point, Rhode Island, for I once visited this mansion and wrote a previous story about it. Duke was an accomplished swimmer and was known to into the ocean, off the cliff at Rough Point for a daily swim. No wonder she engaged in competition surfing in Honolulu.
SHANGRI LA TODAY Structured around five acres of interlocking terraced gardens and pools, Shangri La overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu’s Diamond Head. The home itself is a wonder of unique architecture and much of its construction was supervised by Doris herself. The interior weaves together artifacts such as silk textiles, jewel toned chandeliers and rare ceramics. Most astonishing are the huge retractable windows in the living room which can be lowered to reveal the breathtaking outdoor panorama of the gardens and Pacific Ocean. Today Shangri La is open to the public with 2,500 objects many collected during her extensive international travels. To promote Islamic art to its fullest there is a scholar-in-residence and artist-in-resident program.
AN AMERICAN HEIRESS Throughout her life Doris Duke’s generosity was legendary and her largesse extended to many known philanthropic causes, and others rarely mentioned gained her support. She was the only daughter of an immensely rich tobacco tycoon, James Buchanan Duke, who lavished large on his child. An oversized portrait of Doris at Rough Point attests to her blonde beauty and attractiveness, yet she was a down-to-earth realist, a great hostess and never bored but continued to explore, create and make a difference in the art world.
JOIE DE VIVRE LIFESTYLE Doris Duke may have been born into a life of wealth and privilege, but she embraced it with a love for life on many levels. For one thing, I remember that she was an accomplished jazz pianist who befriended jazz musicians and held music sessions in her home at Rough Point and even sang in a gospel choir. She spoke fluent French and at one time early on she was a journalist for Harper’s Bazaar. Doris loved animals, particularly her dogs and pet camel, and later in life became a wildlife conservationist. Many of the rare holdings at Shangri La were acquiring during her 1935 honeymoon around the world with her husband, James H.R. Cromwell, the son of a Palm Beach doyenne. They had one child, a daughter Arden, who sadly lived but one day.
THE MAGNIFICENT OBJECTS IN DORIS DUKE’S SHANGRI LA DEMONSTRATE JUST WHAT AN ACTIVE AND SENSITIVE APPRECIATION OF ISLAMIC ART AND OBJECTS SHE HAD. NOW THESE TREASURES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC COLLECTIVELY TANTALIZE OUR IMAGINATION WITH THE IDYLLIC ISLAMIC-INSPIRED PARADISE SHE CREATED.