by Hanne

Founded in 1654, Shearith Israel was the first Jewish congregation in North America and the only one in New York City until 1825.

No more pee-pee.

Opened in 1970, Westbeth was the first and is still the largest federally subsidized artists’ colony in the US. The buildings that house it were once the headquarters of Bell Labs, one of the world's great centers of innovation.

This amazing fence by the multi-talented Julie Dermansky stretches 100 feet along East 12th Street.

A tribute to the poet Gil Scott-Heron, who died last year

Co-proprietor, along with The Baroness, of an East Village latex fashion boutique, Mr. Mahj recently went on a grand tour of the American West (here's the complete set of photos from the trip).

Even though we're well into spring, it's still unusual to find one open to the public.

FYI, the small circular objects embedded in the pathway are the bottoms of glass bottles.

of Ms. Julia Rice?

is growing outside the former studio of sculptors Karl Bitter (a known admirer of our friend Audrey Munson's hands and arms) and Giuseppe Moretti (sculptor of Vulcan in Birmingham, Alabama, the world's largest cast iron statue).

The plaque (which was made in Ireland) on the bench reads:

"In loving memory of Captain Patrick Brown and the gallant men of Ladder Company 3, who laid down their lives for the people of New York City. Their uncommon courage that September morning, will never be forgotten."

Here's a close-up of the artwork on the door.

Originally the 13th Street Presbyterian Church, this Greek Revival building was converted to apartments in 1982.