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Heritage Trails Chronology

 

The chronology and guide to the Heritage Trails New York (HTNY) Archive is a longer, more detailed account of the organization than its narrative history on this site. The annotated chronology is based primarily on documents in the HTNY Archive, which came from the holdings of its founder, Richard D. Kaplan. An Inventory and Finding Aid to the Archives, housed at The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, New York NY 10280, follows at the end of the Annotated Chronology below.

The Heritage Trails consisted of four color-coded trails, site markers located at specific historical/architectural places and a map that depicted Downtown Manhattan buildings, the trails and the sites. Richard D. Kaplan founded Heritage Trails New York (HTNY) in 1994 to “promote the history and architecture of Downtown New York City. HTNY was asked to assist in the revitalization of Downtown New York, as part of an overall strategy to make it into a 24-hour neighborhood, attract development, increase tourism, and restore it to a vital and economically viable part of New York City.” HTNY expanded the 17 sites identified in 1976 for a series of Bicentennial markers to 40. Four trails were established along routes that identified significant sites in the history of Lower Manhattan, winding through historic places, past landmarks and architecturally significant buildings to nearly every street of Downtown. All the trails started at Federal Hall, which also served as an interim visitor’s center. HTNY established the trails and provided Site Markers; it provided a way-finding system through the colonial street layout making it easier to get around Downtown; it founded a self-guided and guided Tour program; provided and staffed information kiosks in Downtown. It also integrated the trails into downtown as a new tourist attraction that united the area from a cultural and historical perspective. In 1999 HTNY transferred its assets to the Alliance for Downtown, and the organization unofficially closed in August 2002.

 

The following is an annotated chronology of HTNY from the establishment of the precedents, the Bicentennial Trails in 1976; the founding of HTNY in 1994; the handover of HTNY assets to the Downtown Alliance in 1999-2001, and the dissolution of the Heritage Trails organization in 2002.

 

 

(1) 1976— Precedents to the 1995 Heritage Trails
PDC Exhibition File 4153-C

 

 In 1976 the Mayor’s Office of Lower Manhattan submitted a proposal to the Art Commission of the City of New York, the city agency charged with design approval over all city-owned property for a Heritage Trail: a self-guided tour of the sites of important historic events associated with the heritage of the City and of Lower Manhattan. The proposal consisted of a trailblazer sign, which displayed the symbol to guide tourists along the trail and a marker sign, which was a self-contained display stanchion with images and text pertaining to each site.  The system was designed by Samuel Lebowitz Design & Planning and funded by the American Express Foundation. The 17 Marker Signs, which were free-standing or attached to a fence or building wall were welded aluminum structural frames with flush riveted extruded aluminum ribbed skins finished dark bronze with an information sign with a dark bronze background, bright bronze text and illustrations and a silk screened HT symbol. The Art Commission gave the project a final approval on May 10, 1976.

The original sites were: Civic Center; Printing House Square; City Hall; Woolworth Building; St. Paul’s Church; Trinity Church; Custom House; Battery Park; Harbor Islands (Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty); State Street Row/ Ferry Sites; Fraunces Tavern/ Fraunces Tavern Block; India House/Hanover Square; New York Stock Exchange/Federal Hall; Bank of New York/Citibank; Federal Reserve Bank/Chamber of Commerce; John Street Methodist Church; South Street Seaport/Brooklyn Bridge

 

 

1994-96—Planning and Implementation

 

In 1994 Richard D. Kaplan establishes Heritage Trails New York (HTNY), hires Nadine Peyser as Project Coordinator, Chermayeff & Geismar as graphic designers and Stephan Van Dam to create the map. The opening ceremony for Heritage Trails took place on June 27, 1995 at Federal Hall with 40-page tour booklet, colored dots on streets to mark 4 trails, tour guides known as “Trailblazers” at Battery Park, World Trade Center, South Street Seaport and Federal Hall, and a Heritage Hub and Visitors Center on the interior of Federal Hall. One prototype TrailMarker was installed at J. P. Morgan. This was the first phase of a two phase project, with the second phase (starting in 1997) being the installation of the markers.

 

June 13, 1994 2016.01.02.02.p Meeting of The Friends of Heritage Trails. Goals:

-       Expand, upgrade and revitalize the historic trails

-       Include themes ranging from archeology to architecture, from Indian walking paths to African burial grounds, from finance to capitalism

 

(2) July 7 1994 2016.01.02.02.i Notes on a walking tour of Heritage Trails with RPA and LPC

 

(3) July 7 1994 2016.01.02.02.k  Ivan Chermayeff to Richard Kaplan, can provide report with design concepts by mid-October.

 

July 13 1994 2016.01.02.02.p RK to board, J. M. Kaplan Fund.  Downtown Lower Manhattan Project – developing 2 projects: “The first is the Heritage Trail which was established in 1976 to commemorate the Bicentennial Year. The trail is a walking tour of historic sites which stretches 3 miles long and includes 17 sites. We would like to see a redesign of the overall trailmarkers as well as a more visible connecting path. The project will seek to raise funds and seek sponsorship of the project costs; to work with a design team to create a permanent Heritage Trail; and to move the project through the necessary approval and permit process. Furthermore, the goal is to coordinate these efforts with the Business Improvement District which will be in place by January 1995 and will be instrumental in the marketing and maintenance of the Heritage Trail.” Engaged Nadine Peyser to be project coordinator and to work full time on this project

 

July 15, 1994 2016.01.02.02.v George Calderaro, LPC to Nadine Peyser.  In response to our tour last week has suggestions. Doesn’t think a painted line would work, but rather markers, a reduced map of the entire route should be included on each markers as well, perhaps on the side of the marker, LPC building at 100 Old Slip should be included, we should also add the archaeological sites discussed.

 

July 15 1994 2016.01.02.02  Draft memo – expansion of markers – started to research & collect info on additional sites – held meetings with Regional Plan Association, Landmarks Preservation Commission, Municipal Art Society, Downtown Lower Manhattan Association, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, City Planning Commission, Department of Transportation – created a preliminary mapping – spoken to local designers about ideas for a more visible and contiguous walking trails – spoken to legal department of DOT about installation – generating a list of building owners – been in touch with Art Commission.

 

Undated (probably early July 1994) 2016.01.02.02.m Memo sketching out 4 phases of project:

-       Phase I- design ideas (Ivan Chermayeff); costs levels; costs for maintenance; mapping of existing and proposed trail markers; list of building owners and addresses; workshop meeting with downtown people for suggestions; presentations; school contest for additional sites?; retrieval of original text for Heritage Trail Markers; cost out new research text for additional site markers.

-       Phase IIa- permissions from Art Commission and other city agencies; legal aspects; presentations.

-       Phase IIb- proposal for sponsorship of the project; grant programs dealing with tourism related projects; corporate sponsorship for underwriting the publishing of the brochure; will need a designated fund to collect contributions.

-       Phase III – implementation; distribution of materials; marketing and promotion; educational use – Board of Education; opening ceremony

 

July 19 1994 2016.01.02.02.y Memo Nadine to Richard “Proposed Heritage Trail – Draft”

May 1976 Art Commission gives final approval to the Friends of Heritage Trails for markers. The original sites are: Civic Center; Printing House Square; City Hall; Woolworth Building; St. Paul’s Church; Trinity Church; Custom House; Battery Park; Harbor Islands (Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty; State Street Row/ Ferry Sites; Fraunces Tavern/ Fraunces Tavern Block; India House/Hanover Square; New York Stock Exchange/Federal Hall; Bank of New York/Citibank; Federal Reserve Bank/Chamber of Commerce; John Street Methodist Church; South Street Seaport/Brooklyn Bridge

 

Proposed sites: African Burial Ground; World Trade Center; World Financial Center; Greek Orthodox Church (does not become a physical marker); Museum of American Financial History; National Museum of the American Indian (Custom House already listed as an existing marker); Battery Park/Korean War Memorial and Merchant Seamen’s Institute; 17 State Street/New York Unearthed; Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Park; 100 Old Slip, 1st Police Precinct; Barclay Bank International, 160 Water Street; South Street Seaport; The great skyscrapers: 40 Wall, 48 Wall, 70 Pine, 55 Liberty, 16 Wall

 

July 19 1994 2016.01.02.02.bb RK to Robert R. Douglass (DLMA)

HT – developing new unifying theme and/or mission statement

-       Ways to expand, upgrade and revitalize the trail – expand markers & topics

-       Starting research & collect information about additional sites

-       Met with Fred Davis ED of Freedom Trail in Boston

-       Created preliminary mapping of proposed extensions – talking to local designers & legal at DOT, generating list of building owners

-       Met with Art Commission

-       Looking into CD-ROM

 

Feb 2 1995 2016.01.02.05.a  Certificate of Incorporation HT

 

These are the scanned art commission documents 5789 A-E:

April-May 1995, HTNY presents designs for the site markers and dots to the Art Commission of the City of New York (now Public Design Commission). The commission gave final approval in part May 8, 1995, and HTNY presented revised plans (based on the Phase 1 two year study) in 1997 which received final approval. HTNY wrote to ask to come before the commission in the fall of 1999, which did not happen. In the exhibitions submitted to the commission the trails consist of:

 

Red Trail

St. Paul’s

Woolworth Building

City Hall

African Burial Ground

Foley Square

Brooklyn Bridge

Civic Center/Printing House Square

 

Blue

Chase Manhattan Plaza

Federal Reserve Bank

South Street Seaport

Pier 17

John Street Methodist Church

Chamber of Commerce/55 Liberty Street

 

Green

New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall

Trinity Church

Museum of American Financial History

Bowling Green/ U. S. Custom House Museum of the American Indian

Battery Park and Castle Clinton

Pier A and Harbor Visitor’s Center

Harbor Islands

New York Unearthed

State Street Row and Ferry Sites

Fraunces Tavern

Vietnam War Veterans Memorial

India House and Hanover Square

First Police Precinct

Barclays Bank Archeology

Great Skyscrapers: 1, 14, 40, 48 and 55 Wall Street and 70 Pine Street

 

Yellow [orange]

World Trade Center

World Financial Center

Greek Orthodox Church

 

 

Opening Ceremonies

 

June 26 1995 2016.01.02.11.1 Draft remarks opening ceremonies. Heritage Trails more than walking tours they are:

-       looking to the past to represent the symbolic footsteps of 400 years of New York’s multi-cultural history

-       looking to the future they are intended to re-awaken the public’s awareness of the greatest wonders of Downtown New York

-       System of interconnected Heritage Trails will create a more user-friendly pedestrian environment and when coordinated with proposed new bus loops and ferry connections the Trails will help bring together Downtown’s already great tourist attractions: Battery Park, Statue of Liberty & Harbor Islands, World Trade Center, City Hall, South Street Seaport, Wall Street and New York Stock Exchange and help overcome the fallacy of the one-site visit.

-       Not new, Boston Freedom Trails and in 1976 American Express created The Heritage Trail for the Bi-Centennial

-       Dots, trail book, 1st phase

-       Important part the site markers, unveiling the 1st site marker in front of Morgan Guaranty Bank Building

-       Trail Blazers in HT uniforms at Battery Park, World Trade Center, South Street Seaport and Federal Hall

-       Set up Heritage Trails hub and visitors center at Federal Hall

 

Undated 2016.01.02.11.a Opening Ceremonies Speech Outline

         The Heritage Trails are more than just walking tours: Looking to the past, they represent the symbolic footsteps of 400 years of New York’s multi-cultural history. Looking to the future, they are intended to re-awaken the public’s awareness of the greatness of Downtown New York

System of interconnected Heritage Trails will create a more user-friendly pedestrian environment and when coordinated with proposed new bus loops and ferry connections the Trails will help bring together Downtown’s already great tourist attractions: Battery Park, Statue of Liberty & Harbor Islands, World Trade Center, City Hall, South Street Seaport, Wall Street and New York Stock Exchange and help overcome the fallacy of the one-site visit.

-       Making historic trails in cities is not new: Boston’s Freedom Trails, Lower Manhattan Bi-Centennial Heritage Trail.

-       Today the first phase: four inter-connected Trails each created with differently colored circular markers.

-       Want to evaluate the impact of the Trails as people try them out. This is the first phase of a two-year Demonstration Project.

-       Important part will be Site Markers, containing photos and texts about the specific sites and a newly created Map of the Trails

-       Have installed first prototype Marker in front of the Morgan Guaranty Bank building

-       Start Trail Blazer Guides program stationed at Battery Park, World Trade Center, South Street Seaport and Federal Hall

-       Set up Heritage Hub and Visitor Information Center in Federal Hall with interactive video presentation that previews walks along the trails. 

 

 June 27 1995 2016.01.02.11.b Invitation to opening ceremony

 

Press Packet Contents: Heritage Trails Map, Newsday press clipping, Media alert/ invitation, invitation letter. Press coverage includes longer descriptive articles in New York Newsday, Boston Sunday Globe, Downtown Express, The Record, New York Post, Gannett Suburban Newspaper and short notices in The New York Times, La Presse, The Washington Post, Lost Angeles Times, The Atlanta Journal, The Seattle Times

Heritage Trails Fact Sheet (Tony Robins): “Heritage Trails New York are the newest way to see all of Downtown Manhattan. Four Heritage Trails, each delineated by differently colored dots painted on sidewalks and streets, link 50 of Downtown’s greatest sites and attractions. The Trails are a distinctive and exciting way for New Yorkers, tourists and students alike to explore 400 years of New York City history, and gain access to Downtown’s remarkable sites and activities.

 

Designed specifically as loops emanating from a central Heritage Hub and Visitor Information Center (located this summer at Federal Hall National Memorial, the four Trails have been created using a total of 2,400 circular markers (the “dots”), six inches in diameter, spaced mostly at ten-feet apart, and in a different color for each Trail.

 

The RED TRAIL goes up Broadway to the Civic Center, the African Burial Ground and the Brooklyn Bridge;

 

The BLUE TRAIL links the South Street Seaport with the center of Downtown;

 

The GREEN TRAIL ambles through the canyons of the Financial District and the streets of Dutch New York to Battery Park, the Custom House and Bowling Green;

 

The ORANGE TRAIL leads to the great modern financial towers – the World Trade Center and the World Financial Center, and from then via Battery Park City to the magnificent esplanade along the waterfront.

 

The interconnected Heritage Trails enable users to create their own walking tours, organizing them not only around Downtown’s great architecture and historic monuments, but upon many other specific interest as well, such as the history of world trade and finance, the evolution of America’s governance, literary New York, and other aspects of the City’s history.”

 

 June 1995 2016.01.02.03.a 40 page booklet of Heritage Trails Sites and Trails:

 

Orange

Eliminates the Greek Orthodox Church and adds the American Stock Exchange and Battery Park City in comparison with the Art Commission Proposal

 

Red

Adds Trinity Church and the Equitable Building in comparison to the Art Commission Proposa

 

Blue

Includes the Fulton Fish Market as part of the Pier 17 site and adds the Seaman’s Church Institute.

 

Green

Adds J. P. Morgan & Company to the Federal Hall and New York Stock Exchange site; adds 20 Exchange Place to the Great Skyscrapers site; adds Dutch City Hall Archeology to the Vietnam Veteran Memorial site; adds the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Seton and the Staten Island Ferry to the New York Unearthed site; makes 55 Wall Street a separate site; combines 100 Old Slip with Hanover Square and India House; creates a new site for Colonial New York Street Plan and Stone Street; creates a new site for the Museum of American Financial History and eliminates the Barclays Bank Archeology site.

 

 

Building the Organization and First Guided Tours

 

1996 2016.01.02.18.f Press Release: “Heritage Trails New York Names New Executive Director” (Alexia Lalli)

 

Dec 2 1996 2016.01.02.12.d Press release: “We Tour for Food”

 

Related Projects

March 29 1995 2016.01.02.09.a James Sanders to RK proposal to establish feasibility of “Global Town Square”, large scale electronic displays continuously streaming financial information in Liberty Plaza, and to create a package to further its development

 

May 11 1995 2016.01.02.09. c James Sanders and Margot Wellington consultants to undertake a preliminary design and feasibility study tentatively named “Wall Street Crossing” project, another version of “Global Town Square,” to be located at Liberty Plaza with proposal

 

November 9 1995 2016.01.02.09.f Charles H. Hamilton – The J. M. Kaplan Fund to James Sanders & Margot Wellington, consulting agreement

 

June 1996 2016.01.02.22.a Proposal by Downtown Heritage Management, Inc. “The New York Downtown Information Center (DIC)” for 40 Wall Street with an information desk,, multimedia displays, theater, café, retail and exhibitions

 

July 25 1996 2016.01.02.17.a-c Proposal for the creation of a Heritage Trails web site work plan & costs; analysis of strategic priorities and solutions; preliminary site architecture by Mind Over Matter

 

September 1996 2016.01.02.09.p Draft Report Liberty Plaza: The Brain of Lower Manhattan, a version of “Global Town Square,” by Sanders/Wellington Associates

 

1997-1999— Phase 2: Installation of Site Markers

Phase 2 was to start after the two year demonstration and evaluation period, and originally included the installation of the site markers; the construction of a permanent Heritage Trails Hub and Visitor Information Center, with exhibitions and multi-media activities; development of audio guides; integration of the Trails into school curricula; and development of Trails-related events and programs. Of these goals only the installation of the Site Markers and the development of Trails-related events and programs occurred. Installation of the Markers started in January 1997 with the City Hall Marker, by July 1997 at least another 12 Markers were installed, and by September 1997 a total of 30 Markers were installed.

 

Jan 9 1997 2016.01.02.12.a Press release: “First of 42 Historic Site Markers Unveiled in City Hall Park.”

Mentions City Hall, New York Information Technology Center and Morgan site markers.

 

July 23 1997 2016.01.02.12.b Press Release: More Historic Site Markers arriving on Downtown Sidewalks Wednesday July 23. Site Markers include: U. S. Custom House; Museum of Financial History; 55 Wall Street and 22 Exchange Place; Federal Hall; Battery Park and Castle Clinton; Chase; Federal Reserve; African Burial Ground; St. Paul’s; Fraunces Tavern; Brooklyn Bridge; Trinity Church

 

Sept 22 1997 2016.01.02.25.a Heritage Trails talk slide show notes

-       1st Show “Heritage Tourism starts with the Question: What is this Place?”

o   Downtown NY one square mile of most intensive city building in history

o   Downtown NY first modern city

o   Heritage Trails starts with a map, added Trails (dots on Street), adding Site Markers

-       Downtown already visited by 5-10 million people each year. The Downtown sites part of national, the world’s collective conscience

        

Undated 2016.01.02.25.b 2nd— Slide Show Notes for Nadine Peyser: “Bringing Tourism into Historic Neighborhoods”

56 historical sites and attractions packed into 1 ½ square miles, greatest access to harbor, 5 global attractions

-       HTNY established on the heels of BID being formed (Downtown in bad shape)

-       October 1994 Tax Incentive Plan; emerging mixed use 24/7 neighborhood; 2,500 units being converted from office space, 7,000 planned for 2002; working on residential amenities; major initiative of BID provide tourism and visitor services; HTNY provides service to downtown business community objective to get people to stay downtown longer; competition 33 million visitors to NYC

-       Trails: 4 color coded trails, dots, 30 site markers in the ground; interpretative panels: image/text – Scotchprint, Chermayeff & Geismar, cast iron kit of parts

-       Approval process over 40/50 presentations to city, community, business

-       Major leadership from Deputy Mayor for Planning – Fran Reiter

-       High Season May-October

-       Self-guided Trails Map and Guidebook over last 3 years gave over 350,000 free maps away. In 1998 started selling for $1.

-       Professionally guided theme tours, in 1996 had 233 paid tours, in 1997 had 3,000, in 1998 plan to double number

-       Street kiosks, Federal Hall, 2 kiosks on sidewalks outside Trinity Church and Pier A

-       6 paid college interns

-       $550,000 pledge from City Council for 2 permanent interactive information kiosks

-       Small working board, 7 full-time staff, 4-7 consultants

-       44% corp. support, 44% foundation support, 10% city/state; operating budget just under $900,000

[Slides: logo, map, downtown skyline, Trinity Church and World Trade Center, New York Stock Exchange J. P. Morgan and Wall Street, Lobby of Woolworth, Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, Pier 17, African Burial Ground, National Park Service Sites including Castle Clinton, Ellis Island, State of Liberty, Map, Map, Blue Trail, Green Trail looking up Wall Street to Trinity Church, Brooklyn Bridge, Map Back Panel, J. P. Morgan and Wall Street, City Hall Park, Staten Island Ferry, World Financial Center, Newspaper Row

 

1998 map, markers:

 

Orange adds a new site Museum of Jewish Heritage/Wagner Park

 

Red adds a new site William Barthman Jeweler

 

Blue remains the same

 

Green divides the Great Skyscrapers into 3 sites—1 & 14 Wall; 40 & 48 Wall; 70 Pine. Makes the New York Stock Exchange a separate site. Makes the Staten Island Ferry a separate site. Makes the U. S. Custom House a separate site. Combines 55 Wall Street and 20 Exchange Place. Combines Bowling Green with the Museum of Financial History. Creates a new site for the New York Information Technology Center.

 

Total of 40 markers

According to RDK notes: Site panels have a front panel of text and pictures to describe the site and a back panel to display the Heritage Trails map and other tourist information.

 

1999 saw the installation of the final 10 markers.

 

1999 Map changes: Equitable Building switched from Red to Blue Trails, reducing the number of Red Trail sites to 9 and increasing the Blue Trail sites to 8. There also appear to be some title changes: South Street Seaport becomes South Street Seaport Museum and Marketplace, and Fraunces Tavern Historic District becomes Fraunces Tavern Block Historic District and Museum.

 

1999 (c.) undated draft memo lists 34 accomplishments of HTNY

1.    Installed 4 color coded trails

2.    Designed unique 3D map used on site markers, brochures, subway stations, and various downtown locations

3.    Erected 40 Site Markers

4.    Printed 40-page illustrated, self-guided walking tour booklet

5.    Printed HT brochure each year

6.    Held Heritage Tourism Conference

7.    Initiated tour program, contracted out to Big Onion Walking Tours

8.    Produced interactive video on Downtown History used in Federal Hall

9.    Designed and constructed a visitor’s kiosk in Federal Hall

10.Designed, refurbished and installed Visitor Information Kiosks in two Downtown locations (doesn’t say where)

11.Trained and supervised summer interns to work in Visitor Information Kiosks

12.Established criteria for a Downtown Visitors Center

13.Developed a plan to use existing technologies to enhance Heritage Trails

14.Produced and distributed a HT Newsletter

15.Worked with Landmarks Conservancy on Downtown walking tour book which included Heritage Trails components (map, illustrations of site markers)

16.Designed and installed Heritage Trails New York Web Site (?)

17.Established a Five-Borough Heritage Tourism Initiative

18.Participated in conferences and workshops

19.Developed a sound marketing and sales strategy for the tour program and implemented it

20.Became recognized throughout the city due to press coverage, collaborations and product development

21.Initiated advertising campaigns for HTNY and Downtown

22.Developed plans for a HT component in Pier A visitors center

23.Raised funds from the City, corporate and foundation sources

24.Established a Board of Directors and held regular meetings

25.Asked to participate in Downtown planning and Downtown organizations

26.Education programs: held training institute for NYC parochial schools, developed curriculum for NYC public schools in conjunction with NYHS

27.Produced Site Marker for Lower East Side Centennial Block for DOT

28.Served as consultant to groups interested in establishing heritage trails: Brooklyn Heights, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and Flushing

29.Added an Art Trail to HTNY Map

30.Developed a membership program for HTNY

31.Held two fund-raising events: Theater Benefit of “1776” and book-signing cocktail party at Windows on the World.

32.Explored ways to light the Site Markers

33.Did extensive research about interactive components

34.Provided scripts for water tours for Seaport Liberty Cruises and New York Waterways.

 

1999 (c.) 2016. 01.02.15.a Unsigned letter to Robert MacDonald MCNY re HT

-       Support MCNY move to Tweed and offer assistance.

-       List achievements of Heritage Trails

-       3D user friendly map

-       Graphic identity created by Chermayeff & Geismar

-       Four color-coded trails for self-guided tours marked with colored dots

-       Publications including self-guided walking tour brochure and subsequent versions of TrailsMap

-       40 Site Markers

-       Tour program including generalized walking tour and special tours

-       Information kiosks with trained interns

-       Video on Heritage Trails and information booth at Federal Hall

-       PR campaign brought widespread attention

-       Joint programming with Downtown museums and attractions

-       Attempt to develop a visitor’s center

 

Heritage Trails Board: Richard Kaplan, Laurie Beckelman, Adrienne Bernard, Rachelle Friedman, Elliot Green, Stephen Lemson, H. Claude Shostal and Carl Weisbrod

 

Undated 2016.01.02.18 Press Release American Institute of Architects Honors Mr. Richard D. Kaplan AIA

 

Walking Tours

April 24 1997 2016.01.02.12.e Press release: “Heritage Trails & New York Waterways Plan Pirates Day Downtown”

 

April 28 1997 2016.01.02.12 Press release: “Free Pirate Cruise of New York Harbor Opens NY Waterways & Heritage Trails Tour Season May 17”

 

May 28 1997 2016.01.02.18.a Press Release World of Finance: Additional Tour

 

Sept 3 1997 2016.01.02.12.c Press Release: Where is Wiechquaekeck Trail? Additional Tour

 

Oct 17 1997 2016.01.02.18.b Press Release Most Heritage Trails NY Regularly-Scheduled Tours Being Hibernation After November

 

Undated 2016.01.02.18.c Press Release Heritage Trails New York: Explore Downtown’s Past, Present and Future

 

Undated 2016.01.02.18.d Press Release Heritage Trails’ Highlights of Downtown Walking Tour Connects Historic Sites, Illuminate History

 

Undated 2016.01.02.18.e Press Release Heritage Trails NY Launches Six New Tours to Meet Tourism Boom in Lower Manhattan

 

Undated 2016. 01.02.18.g Press Release George Washington Walks The Heritage Trails

 

Related Projects

Feb 25 1997 2016.01.02.22.b “Downtowners in Every Sense” American History Workshop proposal for visitor’s center

 

April 1997 2016.01.02.23.a Liberty Plaza Crossroads of a Global Village, a version of “Global Town  Square,” by Sanders/Wellington Associates

 

May 5 1997 2016.01.02.22.a Draft Proposal for Downtown Tour & Information Center by “City Prop” (internal notes appears to be Richard Kaplan)

-       Why a Downtown Tour and Information Center should happen

-       Steps to take in establishing a Center

-       Elements of Heritage Hub

-       Plan to get this to happen

 

July 10 1997 2016.01.02.22.c RDK rough draft concept paper new downtown info center

 

 

1999-2002— Transfer to Alliance for Downtown New York

In 1999 Heritage Trails transferred the maintenance of the markers and the distribution of the Heritage Trails map to the Alliance for Downtown New York, which was publically announced in 2000. Operations wound down with Richard Kaplan transferring the office to his home in 2000 and Alexia Lalli resigning in 2002.

 

1999 2016.01.02.28.c Scale down operations, design and install final 10 site markers

 

Oct 6 1999 2016.01.02.16 Alliance has taken over maintenance of most of the site markers

 

Oct 7 1999 2016.01.02.16.b Lex Lalli/Nadine Peyser Minutes HTNY Board Meeting

Downtown Alliance has taken over maintenance of most of markers (small insurance problems of markers outside “the district;”) DA taken over the distribution of Trails Maps; Alliance working with graphic design firm [Pentagram] to see how map might be modified to serve as The Map for downtown; HTNY & LMCC initiating planning for joint programming; further integration with Alliance; Kaplan Fund willing to allocate funding for next two years

 

Oct 20 1999 2016.01.02.16.c Nadine to Lex about HTNY assets

Alliance has taken obligation of maintenance of site markers, insurance of site markers, make HTNY official map of downtown, guided tours, distribution of map

 

Oct 27 1999 2016.01.02.16.d Nadine to Lex, Carl agreed to proposal, next steps: 1. Install site markers 2. Figure out how to turn markers over to Alliance 3. Get Bob (Douglass) and Carl to agree to proposal and make contract 4. Inform LMCC of new developments 5. Review copyright issues of map 6. Establish role of HTNY at Alliance and its oversight by NP & AL and any HTNY board members that want to stay involved 7. Work out assignment of HTNY staff to Alliance 8. Inform HTNY Board of developments and hold a final HTNY Board meeting 9. Plan a celebration 10. Celebrate

 

Oct 27 1999 2016.01.02.16.e Lex to Pauline $75,000 grant from City Council for HT remaining 13 markers [including replacement markers for City Hall, Newspaper Row and Woolworth Building], affiliation with Alliance

 

Oct 27 1999 2016.01.02.16.f Heritage Trails and the Alliance: A New Era Confidential Memo

-       Grant from City Council to DOT of $75,000 to cover installation of HT’s remaining 13 Site Markers “in the mail”

-       During past several months HT developing a plan to affiliate with Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

-       Carl Weisbrod and Board question whether LMCC affiliation appropriate

-       Board strongly suggested discussion with Alliance for it to be the “home” of HT

-       HT would now like to enter into negotiations to transfer its assets and programs and all of its rights to the Alliance

-       J. M. Kaplan Fund would be willing to consider a $75,000 grant over each of the nest two years to help the transition

 

Nov 12 1999 2016.01.02.27.a Memo to Board Members HTNY from Kaplan, Lalli, Peyser re: HTNY Alliance Merger – the Map will be used by the Alliance, the 40 installed Site Markers will become part of the Alliance streetscape plan, the TrailsMap “handout” will be annually updated, reprinted and distributed. Downtown Alliance will now use Heritage Trails’ programs, physical assets and brand identity as important parts of its tourism and way-finding marketing strategy for Downtown.

 

Dec 2 1999 2016.01.02.16.g Meeting with Alliance – Finances, 37 Markers in, permission for 42 (missing 3 in City Hall Park – City Hall, Woolworth & Printers Row) 2 sites not selected

 

2000 2016.01.02.28.c Heritage Trails New York becomes Heritage Trails World Wide, funds used for removal of dots from the sidewalks of downtown.

 

January 4, 2000 2016.01.02.05 Memorandum of Understanding between the Alliance for Downtown and Heritage Trails New York

 

April 17 2000 2016. 01.02.16.h Press Release Downtown Alliance and Heritage Trails unite to take Heritage Tourism in Downtown New York to the Next Level

 

May 2 2000 2016.01.02.15.b Letter to Friends of Heritage Trails from Kaplan HT and Robert R. Douglass Alliance for Downtown integrating HT into Downtown Alliance

 

May 2 2000 2016.01.02.16.i HTNY/Alliance “celebratory” dinner remarks

 

June 13 2000 2016.01.02.16.j letter from Suzanne O’Keefe to Richard Kaplan

Pentagram is working on revising the map, wants new map installed on the site markers by July 4th weekend. “….at some point the Downtown Alliance will need to look at the graphic composition of the historic panels of the other side of the markers.”

 

Oct 30 2000 2016.01.02.28.c report to JM Kaplan Fund.

General Information founded in 1994, worked for many years to develop a series of trails and site markers, maps and tours in Downtown New York. Over 40 Site Markers on the street; Alliance become the caretaker of HTNY legacy; HTNY becoming Heritage Trails World Wide, establish a program in Cuba; has held two conferences on Heritage Tourism at the New School, will hold conference at New School on December 7 2001 on preservation of 20th century architecture. 1998 fund from JMK to support general operations of HT, production of TrailsMap, the design and installation of over 20 markers, summer internship program and information kiosks in two downtown locations.  1999 HTNY scales down operations, JMK supports general operations, installation of final 10 markers, guided tour programs and discussions about a downtown visitors center. 2000 moved operations to home of RK, JMK supports removal of dots, legal fees, moving expenses purchase of equipment for new office, consulting fees for Alexia Lalli, trip to Cuba

 

July 13, 2001 2016.0.02.07 General Transfer and Assignment, License Agreement, Assumption Agreement signed between Alliance for Downtown and Heritage Trails World Wide

 

Sept 21 2001 2016.01.02.15.d Alexia Lalli HT to Conn Nugent JM Kaplan Fund letter requesting funding $25,000 conference on Cuban architecture, help Alliance rebuild downtown, renew support for organizations’ involvement in endeavors

 

July 25 2002 2016.01.02.07.b Alexia Lalli to Richard D. Kaplan, resignation as director of Heritage Trails

 

August 7 2002 2016.01.02.07 c Alexia Lalli to RK and Jennifer – Report of Heritage Trails 2001, meeting of Board of Directors HTNY June 5 2001, October 30 2001 Report to J. M. Kaplan Fund, Financial Report, Certificate of Registration – Service Mark

 

Related Projects

Feb 17, 2000 2016.01.02.09.v Memo JS (Sanders) to RDK Tel Tale Proposal for a web site, palm pilot listings

 

Oct 5 2000 2016.01.02.09.w Sanders to RDK memo TelTale Prototype Development

 

Feb 4 2003 2016.01.02.09.y Sanders to RDK update of TelTale

 

 

Heritage Trails Summary

 

April 22 2002 2016.01.02.19.b Lex Lalli to RDK  



“Heritage Trails was founded by Richard Kaplan in 1994 as Heritage Trails New York. In its first incarnation, Heritage Trails was asked to assist in the revitalization of downtown New York, the area south of Canal Street, as part of an overall strategy to make it into a 24-hour neighborhood, attract development, increase tourism, and restore it to a vital and economically viable part of New York City. Heritage Trails identified the historically and architecturally important site in the district, created a special 3-dimensional map, located four distinct walking trails, erected 40 large site markers/ map panels, conducted guided walking tours of the area, and worked with all the sites, attractions, businesses and institutions in the area to identify this part of New York as the birthplace of the city and indeed the nation.”





FINDING AID Heritage Trails New York (HTNY)


This Finding Aid and Inventory to the Archives of Heritage Trails New York (HTNY) refer to the collection donated to The Skyscraper Museum from the holdings of HTNY founder Richard D. Kaplan, now housed at The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl., New York, NY 10280. The Museum has endeavored to make the key documents available on line. These can be viewed as pop-up images in issuu.

The original documents are open to qualified researchers for further consultation on application to the Museum by emailing [email protected].




Descriptive Summary

            Creator:          Heritage Trails New York (later Heritage Trails World Wide)

            Title:               The Records of Heritage Trails New York

            Dates:             1994-2005 (check)

Abstract:         Richard D. Kaplan founded Heritage Trails New York (HTNY), a public history project for lower Manhattan, in 1994. HTNY ultimately consisted of a system of 4 trails and historical markers documenting lower Manhattan sites.

Quantity:        tbd

Identification: The Skyscraper Museum Archive

Location:         The Skyscraper Museum Archive

 

Historical/Biographical Note:

            Richard D. Kaplan founded Heritage Trails New York in 1994 as a public history project focused on lower Manhattan. The four, color-coded trails consisted of colored dots with markers documenting the history of specific sites, a visitors’ center and kiosks and a brochure and maps to assist in guided and self-guided tours. The project was gradually turned over to the Alliance for Downtown during 1999-2001. The organization closed in 2002.

 

Scope and Content Note

 

Collection includes presentation boards, publications, correspondence, memoranda, legal agreements, notes, clippings, reports, invoices, financial records, proposals newsletters, press releases and brochures.

 

Organization

 

Organized into two series: Series I Presentation Boards; Series II Offices Files 1994-2005

 

Arrangement

 

Series I follows numerical order of boards, Series II follows sequence of files as arranged by HTNY (roughly chronological)

 

Restrictions

 

Access Restrictions

 

Open to qualified researchers.

 

Use Restrictions

 

Appointments are necessary for use of archival material. For more information, contact

The Skyscraper Museum

39 Battery Place

New York, NY 10280

 

Access Points

 

Subject Names

 

Richard D. Kaplan

Nadine Peyser

Alexia Lalli

Anthony W. Robins

Keith Helmetag

 

Subject Organizations

 

Heritage Trails New York

Heritage Trails World Wide

The J. M. Kaplan Fund

Chermayeff & Geismar

C & G Partnership

Stephan Van Dam

 

Subject Topics

 

Downtown Manhattan

Lower Manhattan

American Stock Exchange

World Trade Center

World Financial Center

Battery Park City

Trinity Church

Equitable Building

St. Paul’s Chapel

Woolworth Building

City Hall

African Burial Ground

Civic Center

Foley Square

Brooklyn Bridge

Printing House Square

Chase Manhattan Plaza

Federal Reserve Bank

South Street Seaport

Pier 17

Fulton Fish Market

Seamen’s Church Institute

John Street Methodist Church

Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York

Liberty Tower

Federal Hall

New York Stock Exchange

J. P. Morgan & Company

Bank of New York

Irving Trust Company

1 Wall Street

Bankers Trust Building

14 Wall Street

Manhattan Company Building

Trump Building

40 Wall Street

Bank of New York & Trust Company Building

48 Wall Street

Cities Service Building

70 Pine Street

City Bank-Farmers Trust Company Building

20 Exchange Place

National City Bank

55 Wall Street

Hanover Square

Hanover Bank

India House

First Precinct Police Station

100 Old Slip

Colonial New York Street Plan

Stone Street

Vietnam War Veterans Memorial

Dutch City Hall Archeology Site

Fraunces Tavern Historic District

New York Unearthed

The Shrine of St. Elizabeth Seton

Staten Island Ferry

Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

Pier A

Battery Park

Castle Clinton

Bowling Green

United States Custom House

National Museum of the American Indian

Museum of American Financial History

 

Subject Places:

            New York (State)—New York

            Manhattan

            Lower Manhattan

            Downtown Manhattan

 

Document Types:

Presentation boards

Publications

Correspondence

Memoranda

Legal agreements

Notes

Clippings

Reports

Invoices

Financial records

Proposals

Newsletters

Press releases 

Brochures

Other Names:

 

Related Material The Skyscraper Museum

 

Separated Material

 

Administrative Information

 

Provenance

           

            Materials donated by Edwina Sandys (SP?) in 2016

 

Preferred Citation

 

            Published citations should take the following form:

 

            Identification of item, date (if known); The Records of Heritage Trails New York; ACC.#; box number; folder number; The Skyscraper Museum.