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Harbor Sides

**MAY/JUNE 2008**

*Harbor Sides* is a bimonthly compilation of park happenings and story
ideas from the National Parks of New York Harbor. A new edition will be
posted the first week of May, July, September, November, January and
March at <http://www.nps.gov/npnh/parknews/index.htm>. Just click on
*Harbor Sides* to access the list. You will also be able to peruse past
issues of *Harbor Sides* there.

For more information about individual stories, contact Mindi Rambo at
(212) 668-2208 unless otherwise indicated.

**"The American President"**

(Federal Hall, 26 Wall Street, Manhattan) This new Associated Press
photography exhibition shows American presidents at war and at ease,
running for office and leading the country on the world stage. Images
include Paul Vathis' view of John F. Kennedy conferring gravely with his
predecessor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, at Camp David after the unsuccessful
Bay or Pigs invasion in 1961; Ron Edmonds' rapid sequence documenting
the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Regan, J. Scott Applewhite and
Roberto Borea's pictures of Bill Clinton as he battled impeachment, as
well as shots of this year's run for the White House by Sens. Hillary
Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama. More than 80 photographs make up
the exhibition that opens April 30 and will run through Jan. 31, 2009,
at the historic landmark that stands where George Washington was sworn
in as the nation's first president. Federal Hall is open 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday.

**Trying to Steal an Election -- Old School**

(St. Paul's Church, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon) St. Paul's
Church will offer a Historic Dinner benefit from 5 to 9 p.m. on May 3 to
celebrate the 275th anniversary of the Great Election of 1733. Held on
the village green at St. Paul's, the highly charged, controversial event
was the largest election of its day, and it raised the issues of freedom
of religion and the press. The event features a colonial style meal,
music, and a talk on the election by Professor Patricia U. Bonomi of New
York University. There will also be an interactive simulation of the
election process of 1733 to give guests a sense of how limited the
electorate actually was in 1733. Call the site at (914) 667-4116 for
ticket reservations and details. Tickets cost \$65. Proceeds benefit the
public and educational programs of St. Paul's Church National Historic
Site.

**The Bell Tolls for Thee**

(St. Paul's Church, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon) St. Paul's
Church offers the rare opportunity to ascend the wooden staircase in the
church tower leading to the historic 250-year-old metal bell that was
cast at the same London foundry as the Liberty Bell. Learn about the
bell and church's history while enjoying panoramic views from the tower.
This program is scheduled to be repeated at 3 p.m. every other Friday,
weather permitting -- May 9 & 23, June 6 & 20. Admission is free. (Note:
The entrance to the staircase is narrow and the climb is steep with some
mild overhead hazards relating to how the tower was constructed.)

**A Day to Remember**

(General Grant National Memorial, 122nd Street and Riverside, Manhattan)
On Memorial Day, the Annual Walk of Remembrance will begin at the NYC
Soldiers and Sailors Monument (98th Street and Riverside Drive) with a
procession with costumed Civil War soldiers and sailors who will walk to
the General Grant NM. There, attendees will witness a traditional
"Decoration Day" flower-laying ceremony as well as historic weapons and
arms demonstrations.

**East of the Sun and West of the Moon**

(Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum) Exhibits
celebrate Asian and Pacific Island culture achievements and assimilation
throughout May at Ellis Island Immigration Museum with traditional Asian
dancing and martial arts demonstrations May 24. Then, on May 25, the
sounds and spectacle of Taiko drumming will fill stages at Ellis Island
and the Statue of Liberty. This musical form has roots deep in the
feudal history of Japan.

**Go Colonial!**

(St. Paul's Church, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon) There will be
period music, dancing, crafts, games and arms demonstrations to
celebrate Colonial Day from noon to 4 p.m. on June 14 at St. Paul's
Church. Visitors are encouraged to also take a special tour of the
colonial section of the church's cemetery and enjoy a concert by Dr. Jan
Piet Knijff on the historic pipe organ. Admission is free.

**The Parks After Dark**

(Gateway National Recreation Area, NJ and NY) -- When the sun goes down,
a whole new set of activities can be found at Floyd Bennett Field,
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Jacob Riis Park, Great Kills Park, Fort
Wadsworth and Fort Hancock. Popular lantern tours illuminate the forts,
star gazers meet regularly where the night sky is unobstructed and
special events enlighten the evenings. For more information, please
contact Brian Feeney at (718) 354-4602.