Celebrate the legacy of a legendary planner, preservationist and civic leader, George McAneny, on a tour of the places he helped plan and preserve in New York City. Led by historian and tour guide Lucie Levine in honor of McAneny’s 150th birthday, this tour will stop by historic sites of Lower Manhattan as you learn the story of the man known as “The People’s Planner” and “The Anti-Robert Moses.” The tour will end inside Federal Hall where guests will get to explore the Magnificent Mr. McAneny exhibit. You can join this tour on January 12th if you are an Untapped New York Insider! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to free behind-the-scenes tours and special events all year long!
Photograph via Wikimedia Commons, The World’s Work
McAneny’s accomplishments were vast. He pioneered modern zoning, helped give us the original Penn Station, brokered the deal that expanded the subway in Manhattan and to the outer boroughs, spearheaded the fight to save Battery Park and Castle Clinton, shaped the city as a political reformer, and poured the foundation for a livable New York. He also held a number of titles throughout his career, including Manhattan Borough President, head of the Regional Plan Association, and chair of the 1939 World’s Fair. McAneny also served in a top post at The New York Times.Â
Federal Hall is one of the many buildings McAneny fought to save throughout his prolific career. Therefore, it is the perfect place for the exhibition The Magnificent Mr. McAneny. This retrospective exhibit explores McAneny’s enduring legacy. A marble plaque inside Federal Hall dedicated to McAneny makes him one of only two people honored at the site. The other person is George Washington. Washington was inaugurated a the site in 1789. On display beneath the stunning rotunda, The Magnificent Mr. McAneny will be on view through January 31, 2020. Throughout the month there will be an accompanying speaker series.
If you are an Untapped New York Inside, you can join us in celebrating McAneny’s 150th birthday with a special tour and visit to the exhibition on January 12th, 2020 at 1:00pm.
See our full lists of upcoming public tours and Insider events!
