Search results for ""Author Sara Cedar Miller""

Book SynopsisThis book is the authoritative account of the place that would become Central Park. From the first Dutch family to settle on the land through the political crusade to create America’s first major urban park, Sara Cedar Miller chronicles two and a half centuries of history.Trade ReviewCentral Park is the most important and influential urban public space in the world. But what did its 843 acres look like before Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux performed their magic? Sara Cedar Miller has given us the answer and so much more. The illustrations are beautiful, the prose rolling and imaginative, the research thorough, and the result, splendiferous. -- Kenneth T. Jackson, editor in chief of The Encyclopedia of New York CityWandering through the green heart of the city, Central Park, who hasn’t wondered: What have these rocks seen? What do the trees know? Who came before? Thank goodness for the charming, curious, careful historian, Sara Cedar Miller, who labored thirty years to bring us their surprising stories. Highly recommended. -- Eric W. Sanderson, author of Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York CityA stunning display of historical sleuthing. Brilliantly researched and superbly illustrated, Sara Cedar Miller’s book unravels the story of the 843 acres that became Central Park. Anyone interested in New York City’s past will find Before Central Park indispensable. -- Shane White, author of Prince of Darkness: The Untold Story of Jeremiah G. Hamilton, Wall Street’s First Black MillionaireSara Cedar Miller sets out to tell the landscape history of Central Park that often goes untold. She expertly uses the historical record to analyze the cultural processes responsible for shaping the landscape prior to the construction of the park. In doing so, she unearths the layers of the landscape to highlight the cultural attitudes embedded in the landscape. -- Phil Birge-Liberman, University of ConnecticutBefore Central Park is distinctive in its combination of Miller’s photography, her expert understanding of the park’s geography and archeology, and her meticulous real estate history of parkland from the 17th through the 19th centuries...an invaluable resource. -- Kara Murphy Schlichting * The Gotham Center for New York City History *Miller masterfully combines historical photographs, sketches, plans, designs, and contemporary images to create a rich tapestry. * Journal of Urban Affairs *Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionPart I: Topography1. The First Settlers, 1625–16642. Along the Kingsbridge Road, 1683–18453. The Other Bensons, 1754–18464. The War at McGowan’s Pass, 1776–17845. Valentine Nutter, 1760–18146. The War of 1812Part II: Real Estate7. Dividing Bloomingdale, 1667–1790s8. Dividing Bloomingdale, 1790–18249. Dividing Bloomingdale, Seneca Village: The Residents, 1825–185710. Dividing Bloomingdale, Seneca Village: The Black Leaders, 1825–185711. Dividing Harlem, 1825–184312. Dividing Yorkville, 1785–183513. The Receiving Reservoir, 1835–184214. A Changing Land, 1845–1853Part III: The Idea of a Park15. The Battle of the Parks, 1844–185216. Becoming Central Park, 1853–185617. The First Commission, 1855–185718. Designing Central Park, 1857–185819. Extending the Park, 1859–1863EpilogueAfterword by Elizabeth W. Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park ConservancyAcknowledgmentsNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

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