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Class Recap

A Brief History of New York City's Early Cemeteries

Allison taught a wonderful class on the history of New York City cemeteries this fall, and on top of it all, she wrote an excellent summary for us to post here. You can find part one, on forgotten cemeteries like potters' fields, right here, and keep an eye out for part three very soon. 

Okay, onto the knowledge: 

New York City’s cemeteries are more than burial grounds for its citizens; they are a reflection of the city’s...

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Dance at molenbeek blog
Blog Post

The Weird Phenomenon of St. Vitus' Dance

I was sitting in on Charlotte's Medieval History class when she mentioned the super weird phenomenon of St. Vitus' Dance, also know as Dancing Mania.

It's just what you'd think--outbreaks of uncontrolled dancing that swept through Europe during the late middle ages and even into the 1600's. Participants often did not live where they danced, or traveled from place to place, and no one seemed to be immune. The outbreaks mostly occurred during...

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The peacemakers 1868%20(1) blog
Blog Post

November 8: SASS Takes on the Civil War

Two big pieces of news for next month's meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Social Studies

What's different?

1) It's on Tuesday, November 8

2) It's at Public Assembly, 70 North 6th Street (best fact: the building used to be a mayonnaise factory.)

What's the same?

Everything else! Still 7pm, still free, still educational/fun, still full of themed drink specials.

This month's topic is the Civil War, and, since everyone in the...

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Blog Post

October's SASS Meeting! Real + Historical Scary Halloween

You're cordially invited to the next meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Social Studies!

When: Monday, October 17, 7pm, free!
Where: Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer Street

Last month, nearly everyone in Brooklyn packed Pete's Candy Store for the inaugural meeting of SASS (awesome)--this month, you'll definitely want to arrive early to snag a seat and take part in Pete's happy hour. 

And what'll we be covering? Oh just ...

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Class Recap

Forgotten New York City Cemeteries

I've been remiss in posting Allison's awesomely thorough wrap up from her class on New York City Cemeteries. Here's the first part, with many more to follow. Enjoy, and don't forget to check out her slideshow of some of the spots mentioned: 

http://www.flickr.com//photos/astrozombie/sets/72157627638485877/show/

From Allison:

Forgotten Cemeteries and Potter’s Fields

In addition to the obvious necropoleis in the five boroughs, there...

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