One of the things on Gothamist's must-see list this week is the New York Historical Society's new exhibit, Slavery in New York. The show reveals New York relationship with slavery, from the days of the Dutch settlers until 1827. The exhibit is open until March, and the online site is pretty extensive, but a reason to go this week is for the pencil-written copy of the Emancipataion Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation is on display until October 16, a short period because "It is, in 2005, a fragile document, sensitive to light, air, and changes in temperature. It can be shown only 10 days or 80 hours each year (of which one has been used)."
The NY Historical Society is looking to draw visitors in with a number of things, from daily readings from The LIfe of Frederick Douglass to gospel singing on the weekends...there's even "HIstory Buffet" with sandwiches and pastries (does this mean the food is free?). The NY Times reviewed the exhibit (it is "bound to transform the way any visitor thinks about slavery in New York City's past") and looked at the delicate condition of the Emancipation Proclamation. [Wikipedia on the Emancipation Proclamation]
