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Historical Places in the Bronx

Historical Places in the Bronx

Are you looking to catch a glimpse of the historical Bronx? Here are a few great places to start!

Edgar Allan Poe’s Cottage

Poe’s cottage has been restored and is now a museum that houses a collection of some of the original period furnishings that Poe and his wife, Virginia, owned. This includes the bed on which Virginia drew her last breath. It was in this cottage in the Bronx that Poe composed many of his famous poems, including Annabel Lee, which was the last full poem that Poe wrote.

When you’re planning a visit, please take note that the cottage is only open on Saturday and Sunday. The short film and the guided tour are definitely worth the $5 price of admission.

Woodlawn Cemetery

Woodlawn Cemetery is 150 years old, and it hosts the bodily remains of over 300,000 people. A truly beautiful, peaceful place to visit and reflect, you will marvel at the beautiful monuments and memorial sculptures dotted amongst the magnificent landscaping. Those interred there included famous figures from history, notable artists, and leaders, and some remembered only by their name on a headstone.

Guided tours are available, or you can take a tour of your own, and visit the final resting place of such greats as Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Augustus Julliard, Herman Melville, Joseph Pulitzer, and Fiorelo LaGuardia. You will find the grave of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, known for her work in the women’s rights movement. Rowland H. Macy, F.W. Woolworth, and James Cash Penney, department store founders, are both buried here. These are just a few of the famous gravesites you will discover. The history is rich and fascinating.

You can visit Woodlawn seven days a week. Hours are from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm.

Van Cortlandt House Museum

This historic house predates the United States! The Van Cortlandt House is the oldest building in the Bronx, and is almost 270 years old! Built-in 1748 as a home for the Van Cortlandt family, the mansion was turned into a house museum in 1897 and provides a view into the type of life that was possible in the 1700s. The Van Cortlandt House is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a National Historic Landmark, in addition to being a Bronx treasure!

Mark your calendar to visit the Van Cortlandt House Tuesday through Friday for a group tour or self-guided tour.

Fort Schuyler

A wonderful example of French-style fortifications, Fort Schuyler was named for Major General Philip Schuyler of the Continental Army. It serves many purposes these days, containing a museum, the Stephen B. Luce Library, and offices of the State University of New York Maritime College. It was built in the aftermath of the War of 1812. This fort and many others were built up and down the east coast of the United States to prevent a foreign invasion.

The fort was designed to protect New York City from being attacked through Long Island Sound. It guards the eastern entrance to New York Harbor. On the other side of the East River, Fort Totten was built to work in tandem with Fort Schuyler to ensure the safety of the City. At one point, it housed 440 guns. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976, a portion of the fort was dedicated as a Maritime Industry Museum in 1986. It’s a fascinating place to learn about the history of the Fort, as well as the history of the Maritime industry and commercial shipping in the United States.

The museum is open to the public on weekdays. Be sure to pay a visit to this piece of history in the Bronx.

The historical places and open landscapes make the Bronx, New York a great place to film a movie. Here are a few that you might not know were filmed, at least partially, in the Bronx.

A Beautiful Mind

Directed by Ron Howard, this thought-provoking American biographical film lays out the life of John Nash, a gifted mathematician, who won the Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences in 1994. Starring in the titular role was Russell Crowe, with other main characters played by Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly. The film was made in 2001.

The Verdict

The Verdict was a 1982 courtroom drama film. Paul Newman stars as a washed-up, alcoholic lawyer, who is tempted into taking a medical malpractice lawsuit for financial gain. During the course of the trial, he realizes that he is actually doing a great service and that the work is meaningful. The lawsuit revolves around a woman in a vegetative state. In addition to Paul Newman, the film features the acting of Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O’Shea, and Lindsay Crouse.

Kinsey

Bill Condon wrote and directed Kinsey, an American biographical drama released in 2004. The story tells of the life of Alfred Kinsey, who was a pioneer in the study of sexology. Kinsey’s 1948 paper, called “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male,” was one of the first documented studies on human sexual behavior. Liam Neeson stars as Kinsey, and the film also features Laura Linney, Chris O’Donnell, Peter Sarsgaard, Timothy Hutton, John Lithgow, Tim Curry, and Oliver Platt.

Awake

Joby Harold wrote and directed Awake. It was filmed in 2005 and wasn’t released until 2007. It’s a conspiracy thriller starring Hayden Christensen, Terrence Howard, Jessica Alba, and Lena Olin. Parts were filmed at Fordham University.

Margot at the Wedding

Margot at the Wedding was directed by Noah Baumbach, who also wrote the screenplay. This comedy premiered at the 34th Telluride Film Festival in August 2007. It was also shown at the New York Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival. The film opened in theaters to limited release and mixed reviews from the critics. The film stars Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, and John Turturro.

Love is All There Is

This romantic comedy from 1996 is directed by Joseph Bologna and Renee Taylor. They both have starring roles in the movie as well. The plot is basically a Romeo and Juliet adaptation. It takes place in the Bronx, with two Italian families. Joseph Bologna and Lainie Kazan play the Cappamezzas, who are Sicilians that were born in the Bronx. Barbara Carrera and Paul Sorvino play the Malacicis, who just immigrated from Florence. The two families get involved in a bitter rivalry that ramps up just as their children Gina, played by Angelina Jolie, and Rosario, played by Nathaniel Marston get romantically involved. Many scenes from this film were filmed on City Island in the Bronx.

The Groomsmen

The Groomsmen, the comedy film that Edward Burns wrote and directedin 2006, it opened in Los Angeles and New York City in July 2006. The film was also shot on City Island in the Bronx. The plot of the film revolves around a groom and his four friends, who will be his groomsmen, considering all the ins and outs of marriage, fatherhood, sexuality, etc. You’ll find a host of familiar names in the cast.  Edward Burns plays the lead as the groom, Paulie. Also featured in the film are Jessica Capshaw, Spencer Fox, John Leguizamo, Matthew Lillard, Donal Logue, Jay Mohr, Brittany Murphy, and Heather Burns.

That’s a Wrap!

The Bronx has provided a great backdrop for lots of filmmakers. Be sure to look for landmarks from the Bronx when you catch these films!

If you ask anybody that’s from the Bronx, they’ll tell you that the very best pizza comes from the Bronx. There might be some disagreement about the best place in the Bronx to get a pie, but here’s a few to put on the list.

COALS

Close to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Coals is a funky little place that turns out some great pizza! The pizza has a super thin crust and is grilled to perfection. Try the Heaven Scent, which is topped with fresh garlic, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and aged provolone. It’s guaranteed to tickle your taste buds. Mmmm…that garlic!

New Yankee SK Pizza

This is the place to get a slice if you’re looking for a classic New York pizza. It’s a hidden treasure, but well worth the hunt! Six dollars will get you two massive slices and a soda. The pizza has a firm crust, delicious sauce, and lots of fresh, gooey cheese. Perfect eats for pizza folders…you know who you are!

Zero Otto Nove

If you’re eating in and looking for some atmosphere, this is the joint you want to go to for pizza. You’ll think that you’re in a trattoria in Tuscany. The wall murals, combined with the rustic décor, set off the beautiful brick oven pies wonderfully! You’ll find a wide variety of unusual combinations when you want to try something a little different. The La Ricardo is topped with pancetta and smoked mozzarella, atop a delicious butternut squash puree.

Napoli’s Best Pizza

This friendly, family-owned, neighborhood joint is what getting a slice is all about! Head over to East Tremont and for $2.50, buy your slice of heaven. This place keeps the old pizza-making tradition alive through the generations. Even as employees take over these cozy little pizza places, they stick with the tried and true methods that create the perfect pizza.

Patricia’s

Patricia’s has the art of the brick oven down to perfection. This family-run Italian place serves pizza and a whole variety of Italian favorites. A fan favorite is the Regina. This pizza with the hearty crust is topped with fresh tomato, fresh basil, and buffalo mozzarella. Are you looking for a vegetarian pizza treat? Try their La Gardinia, which is topped with Portobello mushrooms, grilled eggplant, and zucchini. While you’re waiting for your pie, you might want to try some of their seared octopus as an appetizer…it’s great!

Full Moon Pizzeria

When you’re in the mood for Italian in the Bronx, head for Arthur Ave…the place to be when you get that craving. Full Moon Pizzeria is an upscale pizza parlor and a little pricier than some of the other places we mentioned. Still, a plain slice at $3, or a topped slice for $4 won’t break the bank. The crust here is thin, crispy, and delicious! You can tell that they use the freshest ingredients and that they demand high-quality ingredients for their pizza.

Are You Hungry Yet?

This list gives you plenty of inspiration to do your own research for the best pizza in the Bronx. Happy Hunting!

It’s not even Labor Day, but automobile makers have already recalled more vehicles in 2014 than in any other year in history. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 37.5 million cars, vans, and trucks have been recalled so far this year in the United States; the previous record was 30.8 million in 2004. Although faulty ignition switches on GM vehicles receive most of the media’s attention, Ford, Subaru, Nissan, Chrysler, Hyundai, Mazda, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Lexus and Kia have all announced recalls this year, according to the NHTSA. If you’re injured in New York City in a traffic accident, and the cause of your injury was a defect in one of the vehicles, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the vehicle’s manufacturer. If you’re injured this way, speak at once to an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney.

The truth is, product liability claims are one reason for this year’s record number of recalls. Auto manufacturers are increasingly aware that design flaws and defectively-made products are eventually going to cost them in court, so they’ve become pro-active, sometimes recalling vehicles at the first sign of trouble. Still, the number of recalls this year is troubling because it means plenty of defective vehicles are still on the streets in New York City and across the nation.

If you or someone you love is injured in an accident with a defective vehicle in New York City, it’s important for you to speak to a good auto accident lawyer about your injury and your legal rights. An experienced product liability attorney can assess the specifics of your case, outline your legal options, and guide you through all the paperwork, filings, and legal hearings that will likely ensue. In the New York City area, be sure to have your case handled by an experienced Bronx auto accident attorney.

Although we’ve known about it for years, lead poisoning can still be a genuine public health risk. In 2009, for example, 189 lead poisoning cases were reported in the Bronx and 515 in Brooklyn. If you become sick anywhere in the New York area because a landlord has failed to inform you about the dangers of lead paint in a rental property, you may have grounds for filing a personal injury lawsuit, and you’ll want the help of an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney.

One landlord in Florida has been so irresponsible regarding the dangers of lead paint that he’s now the target of a criminal prosecution. Michael Moshe Shimshoni, 56, was indicted last December by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa. Shimshoni is charged with four counts of failing to present approved lead paint warnings to his tenants. He could serve a year in federal prison for each count. Shimshoni’s many rental properties in St. Petersburg have generated numerous nuisance complaints for years in that city.

Lead poisoning is no trivial matter. It causes learning disabilities, stunted growth, delayed development, seizures, and it sometimes leads to death. Peeling lead-based paint in older buildings and homes is the most common source of lead poisoning. Sometimes residential soil has been contaminated by lead; it can also contaminate drinking water through old plumbing. If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to the neglect of a landlord in Bronx County or anywhere in the New York City area, speak with an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney immediately. You may win compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, and in some cases you may be awarded punitive damages as well. A good personal injury lawyer can assess your lead poisoning case and suggest your best legal options. Nothing is more important than your family’s health and legal rights. If you’ve been injured, don’t hesitate to talk with an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney – today.

In the United States, 1972 was the tragic year when 54,589 people died in traffic accidents – more than any other year on record. By 2012, that figure had dropped by about 38 percent. It’s hard now to recall that auto manufacturers weren’t even required to install seat belts before 1968, or that prior to 1984 not a single state required seat belt use. In the intervening years, the advances in automobile safety have been astounding. And with driverless, computer-driven cars and computer-managed traffic right around the corner, the prospects are bright for even safer streets and fewer fatalities.

Some safety advances – air bags, for instance – take little thought or maintenance. We know the air bags are there if we need them. But other parts of your vehicle, especially your lights, brakes, and tires, wear out and require regular maintenance or replacement. Low tire pressure, for example, causes you to spend more at the gas pump, but it’s also quite dangerous. About 200,000 accidents a year in the U.S. are attributable to under-inflated tires, leading to about 33,000 injuries and about 660 fatalities annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some automobiles now have a warning light to tell drivers when a tire is under-inflated; however, the light is designed only to display when tires are about 25 percent deflated, and that’s a lot. The wisest strategy is to check your tire pressure yourself routinely.

If you’re injured in a traffic accident, and an under-inflated tire is the cause of your accident and injury, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the driver or against the business or mechanic who maintains that driver’s vehicle. If you’re injured this way in Bronx County or anywhere in the New York area, speak at once with an experienced Bronx personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will look at the evidence, consult with experts, and determine who is responsible for your injury. You may receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and more. If you’re hurt in any traffic collision in the New York area now or in the future, protect yourself and speak right away with an experienced Bronx auto accident attorney.