Landmark Lecture: Preserving New York City’s Rich Cultural Heritage

Advance registration is required.

New York City’s diversity is its greatest strength, essential to its significance as a thriving cultural, intellectual, artistic, and economic center. Designated landmarks and historic districts protect and preserve the City’s significant architecture and buildings that embody and connect us to important history and culture. This illustrated lecture with Kate Lemos McHale, Director of Research at the Landmarks Commission will look at the City’s history through a selection of landmarks and historic districts that reflect the contributions and achievements of significant people and groups, recognize significant places associated with Native American, African American, Latino, LGBTQ+, women’s, and immigrant history, acknowledge the challenging history of prejudice and discrimination, and help us understand and appreciate the richness and diversity of our City’s heritage.

Kate Lemos McHale manages the Landmarks Commission’s Research Department and the agency’s evaluation and designation of landmarks and historic districts. She has guided designations across the City that recognize sites of important architectural, cultural, and historical significance, and has overseen the creation of several interactive story maps highlighting landmarks that represent the City’s diverse history.