The Bowery Boys: New York City History

Tom Meyers, Greg Young

The tides of American history flow through the streets of New York City — from the huddled masses on Ellis Island to the sleazy theaters of 1970s Times Square. Greg and Tom explore more than 400 years of action-packed stories, featuring both classic and forgotten figures who have shaped the world.

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563 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes563

Newest first

Sep 30, 2022 · 54 min
Rewind: An Evening at Sardi's
In honor of the exciting new theater season, we're revisiting our 2011 episode on the history of Sardi's restaurant, the Theater District institution, updated to cover the trials and triumphs of the past decade.
Sep 16, 2022 · 1 hr 21 min
#396 Samuel Tilden and the Presidential Election of 1876
You may have heard about the messy, chaotic and truly horrible presidential election of 1876 -- pitting Democrat Samuel Tilden and Republican Rutherford B Hayes -- but did you know that New York City plays a huge role in this moment in American history?
Sep 2, 2022 · 1 hr 15 min
#395 Jefferson Market and the Women's House of Detention
In the heart of Greenwich Village sits the Jefferson Market Library, a branch of the New York Public Library, But historically this space is more notoriously known for America's first night court (at the Jefferson Market Courthouse) and the Women's House of Detention, a facility which cast a gloom over the Village for over 40 years.
Aug 19, 2022 · 1 hr 10 min
#394 New York Calling: A History of the Telephone
Ever since Alexander Graham Bell brought his first model telephone to Manhattan 145 years ago, the telephone has helped us make plans, share urgent news, and has even allowed people to move away from each other – but still feel close.
Aug 5, 2022 · 1 hr 7 min
#393 Ric Burns and James Sanders on "New York: A Documentary Film"
In today's episode, Tom discusses the vast span of New York history with filmmakers and authors Ric Burns and James Sanders, creators of "New York: A Documentary Film".
Jul 29, 2022 · 56 min
Rewind: The Story of the Yellow Taxi Cab
The history of the New York City taxicab, from the handsome hansoms of old to the modern issues facing the modern taxi fleet today.
Jul 22, 2022 · 49 min
Invisible Magicians: Domestic Servants in Gilded Age New York
Domestic servants during the Gilded Age did more than simply maintain the mansions of the wealthy. New York City simply could not function with these 'invisible' armies of butlers, housekeepers, footmen, ladies maids, cooks, valets and others.
Jul 8, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
#392 The Bowery Boys Podcast 15th Anniversary Special
Greg and Tom celebrate the 15th anniversary of their very first episode of the podcast -- recorded on June 19, 2007 -- by looking back at the year 2007 and answering listener questions.
Jun 28, 2022 · 48 min
#391 A Walk through Little Caribbean
Part 2 in our Flatbush series: Tom and Greg discuss the history of Caribbean immigration to the United States with Dr. Tyesha Maddox of Fordham University, then head off on a walking and eating tour of Little Caribbean with Shelley Worrell, founder of I Am caribBEING.
Jun 17, 2022 · 1 hr 2 min
#390 The Story of Flatbush: Brooklyn Old and New
There have been many different Flatbushes -- rural, suburban and urban. In today's show we highlight several stories from these phases in this neighborhood's life.
Jun 3, 2022 · 46 min
#389 The Ruins of Roosevelt Island
The Renwick Ruin, resembling an ancient castle lost to time, appears along the East River as a crumbling, medieval-like apparition, something not quite believable. Sitting between two new additions on Roosevelt Island -- the campus of Cornell Tech and FDR Four Freedoms Park -- these captivating ruins, enrobed in beautiful ivy, tell the story of a dark period in New York City history.
May 20, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
#388 The Hudson River School: An American Art Revolution
Greg and Tom head up to the historic towns of Catskill and Hudson to celebrate the Hudson River School, an assemblage of 19th century American painters captivated by natural beauty, led by a pioneering artist and his star pupil -- Thomas Cole and Frederic Church.
May 6, 2022 · 1 hr 12 min
#387 Hyde Park: The Roosevelts on the Hudson
Tom and Greg visit Hyde Park, New York, and Springwood, the estate of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt. Learn about FDR's life in Hyde Park, tour his home, visit the couple's private cottages and go inside the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.
Apr 22, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
#386 On the Trail of the Old Croton Aqueduct
What 19th century American engineering landmark invites you through nature, past historic sites and into people's backyards? Join us on this journey along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, 26,5 miles of dusty pathway through some of the most interesting towns and villages in Westchester County.
Apr 15, 2022 · 37 min
Now Playing: History Daily Podcast
We wanted to present to you one of our favorite new podcasts of the year -- and one we think you'll love. It's called History Daily. And yes, it really is history, daily!
Apr 8, 2022 · 1 hr 3 min
#385 Frederick Law Olmsted and the Plan for Central Park
Frederick Law Olmsted, America's preeminent landscape architect of the 19th century, designed dozens of parks, parkways and college campuses across the country. With Calvert Vaux, he created two of New York City's greatest parks -- Central Park and Prospect Park. Yet before Central Park, he had never worked on any significant landscape project and he wasn't formally trained in any kind of architecture.
Mar 25, 2022 · 59 min
#384 Nuyorican: The Great Puerto Rican Migration
This episode focuses on the special relationship between New York City and Puerto Rico, via the tales of pioneros, the first migrants to make the city their home and the many hundreds of thousands who came to the city during the great migration of the 1950s and 60s.
Mar 11, 2022 · 44 min
#383 The Temple on Fifth Avenue
Temple Emanu-El, home to New York's first Reform Jewish congregation and the largest synagogue in the city, sits on the spot of Mrs. Caroline Astor's former Gilded Age mansion. The synagogue shimmers with Jazz Age style from vibrant stained-glass windows to its Art Deco tiles and mosaics. When its doors opened in 1929, the congregation was making a very powerful statement. New York City's Jewish community had arrived.
Feb 25, 2022 · 1 hr 5 min
#382 Architect of the Gilded Age
Richard Morris Hunt was one of the most important architects in American history. His talent and vision brought respect to his profession in the mid-19th century and helped to craft the seductive style of the Gilded Age. So why are there so few examples of his extraordinary work still standing in New York City today?
Feb 11, 2022 · 49 min
#381 The Wonderful Home of Louis Armstrong
New York City has an impressive collection of historic homes, but none as unique and or as joyful as the Louis Armstrong House and Museum, located in Corona, Queens. What other historic home in the United States has a gift shop in its garage, aqua blue kitchen cabinets, bathroom speakers behind silver wallpaper, mirrored bathrooms and chandeliers over the bed? Elvis Presley's Graceland perhaps comes close, but the Louis Armstrong House has a charming comfort and a genuine grace and modesty to i

The Bowery Boys: New York City History

Rewind: An Evening at Sardi's

#396 Samuel Tilden and the Presidential Election of 1876

#395 Jefferson Market and the Women's House of Detention

#394 New York Calling: A History of the Telephone

#393 Ric Burns and James Sanders on "New York: A Documentary Film"

Rewind: The Story of the Yellow Taxi Cab

Invisible Magicians: Domestic Servants in Gilded Age New York

#392 The Bowery Boys Podcast 15th Anniversary Special

#391 A Walk through Little Caribbean

#390 The Story of Flatbush: Brooklyn Old and New

#389 The Ruins of Roosevelt Island

#388 The Hudson River School: An American Art Revolution

#387 Hyde Park: The Roosevelts on the Hudson

#386 On the Trail of the Old Croton Aqueduct

Now Playing: History Daily Podcast

#385 Frederick Law Olmsted and the Plan for Central Park

#384 Nuyorican: The Great Puerto Rican Migration

#383 The Temple on Fifth Avenue

#382 Architect of the Gilded Age

#381 The Wonderful Home of Louis Armstrong