Manhattan's past exists side by side with the present, and though fragmented, often remains oddly alive. The city's history is marked by the evolution of transportation, from the first Staten Island ferry in 1708 to the modern-day grid of right angles and straight lines imposed on most of Manhattan in 1807. [... more]

The Staten Island Ferry has been a vital part of New York City's history, with its first ferry starting in 1708. The city's past exists side by side with the present, as seen in the contrast between Manhattan's downtown streets and John D. Rockefeller's colonial Williamsburg. The Randall Map, a rare and priceless object, is the root of all land use in Manhattan, while the city's financial system has evolved with the rise of crypto, offering finance for everyone, everywhere, and all the time. [... more]