FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts is proud to present Shaped by Immigrants: A History of Yorkville, an illustrated history of Yorkville’s development and its immigrant roots. This original work describes the compelling history of the Yorkville neighborhood as it developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a home to Czechoslovakian, German, Hungarian, Irish, and other immigrant groups. The lasting imprint of these groups is still visible in Yorkville’s historic architecture, and the book tells the history against the backdrop of buildings remaining today where immigrants lived, worked, shopped, and prayed. These buildings play an integral role in defining Yorkville’s character, but until now, the comprehensive story of Yorkville has not been told.
Shaped by Immigrants: A History of Yorkville blends FRIENDS’ in-depth historic research and writing with an engaging collection of historic images from several institutional archives in New York City, alongside contemporary photographs of the neighborhood commissioned for this project. This film features interviews with longtime residents and architectural historians, and it showcases the neighborhood’s history and development through their eyes. This project was funded, in part, by Council Member Ben Kallos and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Visit www.friends-ues.org/yorkvillebook for more information.