Gangs of New York

Professor Simon pointing out one of the first tenements in New York, 65 Mott Street. April 3, 2016

Professor Roger Simon took his class, Gangs of New York, on a field trip to New York.  The course uses the eponymous film (Martin Scorsese, dir., 2002) as a starting point to study life in nineteenth century New York.  The course alternates between an examination of life in the Five Points neighborhood (now Chinatown) depicted in the film and in the city generally.  The field trip included a stop at the Tenement House Museum (97 Orchard St.) where a tour focused on an Irish family who lived in the building in 1870.  Following lunch in Little Italy, Dr. Simon conducted a walking tour through Chinatown and the buildings around City Hall.  Despite high winds and a surprisingly chilly April day, it was a successful trip. The trip was supported by an anonymous donation from an alumnus. 

Class in Gangs of New York at Columbus Park, site of infamous Mulberry Bend.