Virtual Parlor Chat - Connect260: The City Grows, The House Expands

The early 20th Century brought rapid growth to the city of New York. Flourishing immigration and industry, along with many other socioeconomic developments caused immense change for the area that the Mansion called home. As factories and Americans searched for open land on the island of Manhattan, urban infrastructure replaced the sprawling, multi-acre estates that once dominated Upper Manhattan. This rural area was transformed into a typical city landscape within a short number of years. During this session of Connect260, Mansion staff will be joined by Matthew Spady, author of "The Neighborhood Manhattan Forgot: Audubon Park and the Families Who Shaped It" to discuss this period of change that would create the Upper Manhattan that we know today in relation to the Morris-Jumel Mansion, which was undergoing a transformation of its own - from private residence to public museum. This session will focus on highlighted themes and stories from the exhibition “What the House Saw: 260 Years of Stories from the Morris Jumel Collection and Community’s" section on the Age of Urbanization.

ABOUT MATTHEW SPADY: Matthew Spady is an independent historian, author, and preservation advocate whose work bridges scholarship, storytelling, and civic engagement. He is best known for his book The Neighborhood Manhattan Forgot: Audubon Park and the Families Who Shaped It (Fordham University Press), a richly researched narrative that brings to life the Audubon Park neighborhood’s transition from woodland to cityscape.

As director of the Audubon Park Alliance, Spady has participated in successful efforts to secure the neighborhood’s designation as a New York City historic district and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its architectural and cultural legacy is recognized and protected. His research and advocacy have helped illuminate the forgotten histories of New York City’s uptown communities, blending archival depth with a passion for place.

Spady’s academic background includes degrees in English and vocal performance, as well as an Artist Diploma in Opera. After a two-decade career as a professional performer he turned to the corporate world, where he has spent more than three decades working in market research. His interdisciplinary approach draws upon music, literature, architecture, and urban geography to explore how neighborhoods evolve and how memory is preserved. His work has been featured in major new publications, academic journals, community forums, and preservation networks.

Register on Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link. This virtual program is free; $5 suggested donation.