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Book Talk: Penn Station-The Rise and Fall of an American Landmark with Author Paul Kaplan

Thursday, June 27, 2019 24 Sivan 5779

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Please join us for a presentation of the newly released book New York's Penn Station-The Rise and Fall of an American Landmark by Paul Kaplan.

Register here.

After decades of looking for a way to connect passengers directly to Manhattan, the Pennsylvania Railway accomplished what few had imagined: building tunnels underneath the Hudson and East rivers. This book chronicles the story of Penn Station from the laying of the first tracks to its demise in the early 20th century when it was torn down. Through its destruction, the historic preservation movement was born.

Using original interviews with experts, archival & documentary research, and historic photos, the author brings new life to one of America’s most beloved buildings.

This talk highlights the unlikely story of a building that was once one of the most beautiful stations in the world, "built for the ages" --but lasted only 52 years. Paul will show photos of the original Penn Station as well as of its planners and architects, and will link the preservation movement that emerged to modern day efforts like those of the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy's aim to save historic synagogues.

Following the presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the sanctuary of the Sixth Street Community Synagogue, a thriving, engaged and welcoming Modern Orthodox Jewish community in the heart of the East Village and originally St. Marks Lutheran Church, spiritual home of the German congregation that lost 1,000 parishioners in the General Slocum disaster.

About the author: Author Paul Kaplan has five published books in three series: Jewish Cultural Guides, Social History & Biography and Business Marketing. He has been featured on PBS, in New York Press, Amsterdam New York, Princeton Magazine and on numerous radio shows, including America's Dining and Travel, Let's Travel and Martha Frankel's Woodstock Booktalk. He has given book talks throughout the U.S. He earned a B.A. from Yale College and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management. He serves as Director of Marketing for an education and technology company.

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