FIeld Trips
Take A field Trip
From the Hudson River towns to larger metropolitan areas such as Albany and New York , we can see many buildings made with bricks if we look. Explore your neighborhoods from a brick perspective and visit unique destinations along the Hudson through our virtual field trips.
CROTON AQUEDUCT
In 1835, a great fire broke out 25 Merchant Street in New York City. Due to gale force winds and cold weather the fire spread rapidly eventually covering 13 acres and 17 city blocks and the fire eventually demolished between 530-700 buildings. Firefighters were unable to staunch the flames because they were unable to reach major water sources as both the East and Hudson Rivers were frozen. The tragedy of the Great Fire of 1835, and the cholera epidemic of 1832 made investing in a water supply system a priority. Begun in 1837 and completed in 1848, the Croton Aqueduct profoundly changed New York City by providing abundant clean water from the Croton River in northern Westchester County to the City.
DID you KNow the Chrysler Building is the Tallest Brick Building in the world?
Begun in 1928 and completed in 1930, the Chrysler building is clad in white brick with dark gray brickwork enhancing 3,862 windows as horizontal decoration. At 1,046 feet it took in total approximately 3,826,000 manually laid bricks to create the non-loadbearing walls of the Chrysler building. The Excelsior brickyard in the Town of Haverstraw was famous for producing gray bricks, and while we do not know for sure, it is entirely possible that Excelsior bricks were used for this landmarked skyscraper. Additional materials included 391,881 rivets and 29,961 tons of steel.
EXPLORE HISTORIC HAVERSTRAW
Along the shores of the Hudson River you can still see the remains of the brick industry in the historic town of Haverstraw today.
Take a walk around your neighborhood
In New York City, neighborhoods such as Wall Street, Midtown, Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Upper West Side have buildings made with Hudson River bricks.
Can you identify buildings in your neighborhood made with bricks? What are the bonds that were used? Are there unique features that set these buildings apart?
Morris-Jumel Mansion Chimney 1776
Take a walk around Historic Washington Heights
Some of the finest examples of the bricks from Hudson River brickyards can be seen throughout Washington Heights. Built in 1765 with its unique brick paths, the Morris-Jumel Mansion is a fine example of very early brick making that can still be seen today. When New York City’s first subway opened in 1904, a great building boom resulted in the significant expansion of apartment buildings made from bricks of all colors, sizes and shapes.
Morris-Jumel Mansion, Brick Paths circa 1776