Undiscarded: Stories of New York

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Latest Episodes:

Display Cake Aug 02, 2023

In Undiscarded’s Season 1 finale, Tania sits down with author Richie Narvaez to discuss one very striking display cake. Adorned with a scantily clad doll, Xoxa, the cake graced the La Villita bakery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Unraveling the layers of gentrification, the two reflect on the neighborhood's transformation from a predominantly Puerto Rican community to the realm of hipsters and, eventually, rich white people. Discover how this display cake becomes a poignant symbol of change, offering a glimpse into the evolving cultural landscape of New York City.

Look at photos of this object and more at at:

https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-displaycake

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

To learn more about our guest Richie Narvaez and his books please visit: https://www.richienarvaez.com/

For even more insight to the Southside of Williamsburg and its rich history, watch LOS SURES courtesy of UnionDocs: https://membership.uniondocs.org/zen/los-sures-1984

Very Old Shovel Jul 19, 2023

In this week's "Undiscarded," rock out with Tania and geologist Nik Sokol as they excavate the history of New York City's underground. With a meaningful artifact in hand—a very old shovel, discovered by Nik during the rehabilitation of the New Croton Aqueduct—they discuss the work of past generations to bring water to millions of inhabitants. Unveiled are the invaluable contributions of immigrant laborers who built the enduring infrastructure that continues to sustain New York today.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-veryoldshovel

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Subway Token Jul 05, 2023

This week on "Undiscarded," join Tania and The Reliquary's Director of Outreach & Programming, Jacob Ford, as they uncover the history of the subway token and the transition into the digital realm. Discover the "SJD" token (which were the initials of one, Sylvester J. Dobosz), how these small, metallic discs transformed public transportation, and how the development of digital payment methods impact us today. From the challenges of digital hesitancy to the design choices at each step of the transit journey, dive into the intricacies of navigating a rapidly evolving transportation landscape.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-subwaytoken

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Newsstand Jun 14, 2023

This week on Undiscarded, join Tania and The Reliquary’s founder, Dave Herman, as they unpack the history of Petrella’s Point, a newsstand like no other. Barnyard red amidst the concrete jungle, the humble yet mighty kiosk stood at the corner of Bowery and Canal for thirty years. Owner Adam Petrella delighted visitors with whimsy and charm, inviting them to take a seat as the guest of honor, engaging with them in lively conversations about Bruce Lee and the Pope, and even offering them his personally crafted guides to the city. As the fading tradition is uncovered, a truth emerges—the newsstand was more than just a reflection of culture, it played an active role in its creation.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-newsstand/

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

If you like Undiscarded, tune into The Brooklyn Public Library’s flagship podcast called Borrowed. Brooklyn has so many stories to tell, and a lot of them start at the library.

Letters to a Hero May 31, 2023

This week on Undiscarded, meet the unsuspecting family with an uncanny name who found themselves in a web of confusion. Fan mail, requests, and even some generous checks kept turning up to the Parker family’s home in Forest Hills, Queens… all addressed to Spider-Man. What was initially dismissed as a prank turned out to be comic book canon. Tune in as Tania and guest Pamela Parker unveil the lore within these letters, which are now on display at The City Reliquary, and the love they show for New York’s friendly neighborhood hero.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-letterstoahero

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

If you like Undiscarded, tune into The Brooklyn Public Library’s flagship podcast called Borrowed. Brooklyn has so many stories to tell, and a lot of them start at the library.

Rollerskate May 17, 2023

Strap on your skates and get ready to roll back in time! In today’s episode, Tania joins rollerskating legend Eric Alston to take a spin through the history of the Brooklyn’s iconic Empire Rollerdrome, the surprisingly deep intersections of roller disco, urban communities, the Civil Rights movement, and how rollerskating continues to be a deep source of joy and self-expression.

Look at photos of this object and more at at: https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-rollerskate/

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at: cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Now until July 29th, further explore the history of Empire Rollerdrome at “Empire Roller Disco, Photographs by Patrick D. Pagnano” presented by Anthology Editions at The Gallery at The Ace Hotel Brooklyn: https://acehotel.com/brooklyn/going-on/anthology-editions-present-empire-roller-disco-by-patrick-d-pagnano-the-gallery/2023-05-26/

Model Buildings May 03, 2023

A riddle: when are tiny models more than tiny models? Answer: when they were once part of a HUGE model. In the case of these unprepossessing little wooden and plastic buildings, probably the greatest scale model ever built: the Panorama of the City of New York. In this episode, Tania talks to Lynn Maliszewski of the Queens Museum about the crown jewel of their collection and the extraordinary history of its creation, spearheaded by one the biggest New Yorkers of all time.

Look at photos of this object and more at at https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-modelbuildings

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

And while you’re in town, plan your trip across Newtown Creek to visit the panorama and the rest of the Queens Museum at https://queensmuseum.org/

Stuffed Alligator Apr 19, 2023

“Alligators thriving in the sewers of New York City” –– one of the most famous and persistent urban myths. But could it be… true? Well, according to former Manhattan Borough Historian Michael Miscione, it’s at least “true-ish”! Learn more as he and Tania go down the manhole to find a truly epic tale of boys vs. beast.

Look at photos of this object and more at at https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-stuffedalligator

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Learn more about Michael’s projects at https://nyc125.org/

Pigeon Tags Apr 05, 2023

“Why would pigeons need tags?” Tania asks in this episode, and it’s a natural question – pigeons are underfoot everywhere in big cities, and claiming one as your own might seem as silly as claiming a particular dead leaf or piece of litter. But popular urban naturalist Gabriel Willow joins her to explain how domestic pigeons have been an important and versatile part of human life for thousands of years, and their story opens a unique view of the wildlife in New York.

Look at photos of this object and more at https://www.cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-pigeontags

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Learn more about Gabriel at https://www.gabrielwillow.com/

Letters from a Sign Mar 22, 2023

Who’s hungry? In today’s episode of Undiscarded (produced with the collaboration of the New York Historical Society) Tania joins Jack Lebewohl of the famous 2nd Ave Deli to talk about the rise and decline of the delicatessen, the great culinary contribution of one of the immigrant groups that most dramatically shaped New York as we know it: the Yiddish-speaking Jews of Eastern Europe.

Look at photos of this object and more at cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-2ndavedeli.

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211

Plan your visit to the 2nd Ave Deli at https://2ndavedeli.com/

Plan your visit to the New York Historical Society at https://www.nyhistory.org/

Mannequin Mar 22, 2023

In today’s episode of Undiscarded, local burlesque star and reigning Miss Coney Island Maggie McMuffin joins Tania to talk about a decorated mannequin that represents the life and times of the most famous of all exotic dancers – the sensation of the Chicago Exposition and Queen of the Boardwalk, the celebrated and notorious “Little Egypt”!

Look at photos of this object and more at cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-littleegypt

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at cityreliquary.org.

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211.

Lightbulb Mar 22, 2023

In the series premiere of Undiscarded, Tania talks to City Reliquary founder Dave Herman about one of the highlights (pun intended) of the museum’s most celebrated collection. It’s a humble-looking artifact donated by a man who dedicated his life to serving that most magnificent of New York icons: The Statue of Liberty.

Look at photos of this object and more at cityreliquary.org/undiscarded-lightbulb.

Learn more about the City Reliquary, its mission, and its collections at cityreliquary.org

In the city or just visiting? Stop by the Reliquary any Saturday or Sunday, noon to 6pm, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn 11211.

Season One Teaser Mar 13, 2023

Undiscarded: Stories of New York, the new podcast from The City Reliquary, is coming soon to a podcast feed near you!

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