The Bowery Boys: New York City History

Discover the fascinating backstory of Gershwin's iconic 'Rhapsody in Blue' and how a surprise article propelled this young composer into music history. Explore the vibrant cultural backdrop of 1920s New York City, where jazz collided with classical traditions. Hear about the dramatic premiere at Aeolian Hall and the mixed reactions it provoked. Delve into the legacy of this groundbreaking piece and its ongoing influence on contemporary artists. Original audio clips bring Gershwin's world and creativity to life!

Dive into the thrilling world of pirates and their notorious exploits! Discover the rise and fall of Captain William Kidd and his tumultuous journey from sailor to infamous pirate. Explore the daring adventures of Anne Bonny and John Rackham, who defied stereotypes and led successful heists. Uncover the gripping trials of these notorious figures in Jamaica, where history challenges traditional views of piracy. With tales of betrayal and buried treasure, this podcast uncovers the legends that continue to captivate the imagination.

On December 5, 1876, a devastating fire engulfed the Brooklyn Theatre, tragically claiming nearly 300 lives. The disaster marked a turning point in public safety regulations for theaters. The podcast recounts the chaos of that night and highlights actress Kate Claxton’s struggles with her 'Fire Witch' label. Listeners learn about the theatrical vibrancy of Gilded Age Brooklyn and how this tragedy has faded from collective memory, leaving no memorial to honor those lost despite its significant historical impact.

The ultimate bar crawl of Old New York continues through a survey of classic bars and taverns that trace their origins from the 1850s through the 1880s.And this time we're recording within two of America's most famous establishments, joined by the people who know that history the best.In Part One, we introduced you to the origin story of New York City tavern life in the Dutch and colonial periods, and we ventured into Fraunces Tavern to witness the creation of the United States itself. Then we headed out to Queens and to Neir's Tavern, which quenched the thirsts of horse-racing fans in the early 19th century -- and reinvented itself in the 20th century thanks to Mae West and Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas.For part two, we fill out our list of the most historic bars and taverns still serving customers in the 21st century -- from SoHo to Williamsburg, from Midtown Manhattan to Red Hook, Brooklyn.But we center our adventure within two classic Manhattan bars, which wear their histories proudly upon the walls:-- McSorley's Old Ale House is the most famous Irish saloon in New York City (and dare we even say, the whole country?), and its stacked, cluttered walls -- every strange piece tells a story -- welcome you inside to become a part of its history.  Historian Bill Wander and long-time bartender Shane Buggy provide a most intoxicating tour of the joint.-- Pete's Tavern has become famous as one of America's most enduring literary bars thanks to its long-time association with O. Henry. But there are so many more secrets awaiting you -- from its association with Tammany Hall to its curious transformation into a "flower shop" during Prohibition.  General manager Gary Egan and owner Steve Troy reveal many surprising twists in Pete's own history.This episode was edited and produced by Kieran Gannon. Visit the website for more images of the famous bars mentioned in this week's show. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Scott Dwyer, Executive Director of the Sons of the Revolution, as he shares the vibrant history of Fraunces Tavern, a key Revolutionary landmark. Eddie Travers discusses the challenges of running a historic bar in modern times. Ina Henderson dives into preservation efforts that keep these tales alive. Loycent Gordon reveals fascinating connections of Neir's Tavern to horse racing and iconic figures like Mae West, while emphasizing its role in community life. Discover how these bars are more than just nostalgia—they're living pieces of New York's rich history.

Brian Reagor, Director of Development and Communications at the Billion Oyster Project, dives into the rich history of oysters in New York Harbor. Once a common food source, oysters were central to the city's culture and economy. Reagor discusses the dramatic decline of oyster populations due to pollution and urban development, along with innovative restoration efforts aiming for a billion oysters by 2030. The conversation highlights the role of free Black communities in the oyster industry and how current initiatives are integrating marine education and community engagement for a healthier ecosystem.

A special presentation of our live show Bowery Boys History Live, recorded at City Winery, July 2, 2025Bowery Boys History Live is a storytelling cabaret of all-true tales and spellbinding secrets from the past, hosted by Greg Young of the Bowery Boys Podcast and brought to you by a rotating roster of the city’s greatest historians.And for this show, Greg’s has invited a premier lineup of special guests, including author Elizabeth L. Block (Beyond Vanity: The History and Power of Hairdressing), author and tour guide Keith Taillon aka @keithyorkcity (Walking New York: Manhattan History on Foot), and host of the Gilded Gentleman podcast Carl Raymond.Featuring:-- Carl Raymond with a cheeky comparison between the ladies of high society and the four comedy queens of Palm Beach, Florida-- Elizabeth L. Block with an exploration of the Gilded Age's great gowns, bodices and hair preparations-- Keith Taillon with a look at the life of Mrs. Astor through the places she lived-- Greg Young with the origins of the phrase 'the Gilded Age' and a look at five influential women of the Gilded Age that NEVER got invited to Mrs Astor's ballNOTE: This was a live show with slide presentations, so there may be a few moments referencing an image in the room. This show was produced and edited by Kieran GannonFor even more Gilded Age stories, check out Tom Meyers on the Official Gilded Age Podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ready for a little summertime spookfest? This week we're thrilled to present to you a podcast appearance Greg made back in April on the Spirits Podcast. Hosted by Amanda McLoughlin and Julia Schifini, the Spirits Podcast is a weekly conversational show about all things ghosts, mythology, folklore and urban legends. If you like fun spooky things, add the podcast to your regular rotation! And as a sample, here is Greg's appearance on the show, talking about all sorts of New York City ghosty things.Get your tickets for the Bowery Boys Ghost Stories of Old New York live show at Joe's Pub.And here's the complete list of Bowery Boys ghost story podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

TERROR ON THE BEACH! Seaside resorts from Cape May, New Jersey, to Montauk, Long Island, were paralyzed in fear during the summer of 1916.Not because of the threat of lurking German U-boats and saboteurs. But because of sharks.On July 1, 1916, Charles Epting Vansant was killed by a shark while swimming at a resort in Beach Haven, a popular destination on the Jersey Shore.At first, this terrible tragedy received only limited attention. After all, millions were flocking to the beaches along the Jersey Shore and throughout the New York region -- Coney Island, the Rockaways and Staten Island's South Beach.Shark attacks were the stuff of pirate legends and dramatic works of art. Most experts were skeptical that sharks were dangerous at all; the Maryland mogul Hermann Oelrichs offered $500 to any person with proof that sharks were dangerous to humans. Nobody claimed the reward.But during that July, sharks did threaten the lives of humans -- not only on sandy beaches, but even in tranquil watering holes, several miles inland. What was in the water in July of 1916?This show contains descriptions of violence related to shark attacks. You've been warned.This episode was edited and produced by Kieran Gannon.Visit the website for more episodes of the Bowery Boys Podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At the heart of New York’s Gilded Age — the late 19th-century era of unprecedented American wealth and excess — were families with the names Astor, Waldorf, Schermerhorn, and Vanderbilt, alongside power players like A.T. Stewart, Jay Gould and William “Boss” Tweed.They would all make their homes — and in the case of the Vanderbilts, their great many homes — on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.The image of Fifth Avenue as a luxury retail destination today grew from the street’s aristocratic reputation in the 1800s. The rich were inextricably drawn to the avenue as early as the 1830s when rich merchants, anxious to be near the exquisite row houses of Washington Square Park, began turning it into an artery of expensive abodes.In this podcast, Tom and Greg present a world that’s somewhat hard to imagine — free-standing mansions in an exclusive corridor running right through the center of Manhattan. Why was Fifth Avenue fated to become the domain of the so-called “Upper Ten”? And what changed about the city in the 20th century to ensure the eventual destruction of most of them?The following is a re-edited, remastered version of two past Bowery Boys shows — the Rise and Fall of the Fifth Avenue Mansion. Combined, this tells the whole story of Fifth Avenue, from the initial development of streets in the 1820s to its Midtown transformation into a mecca of high-end shopping in the 1930s. This could also serve as a primer to the HBO series The Gilded Age, the official podcast co-hosted by Tom Meyers! You can listen to the Official Gilded Age Podcast on all audio podcast players as well as YouTube.For even more Gilded Age tales, check out The Gilded Gentleman Podcast.Visit the website for more images and adventures with the Bowery Boys Podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.