From Ben: As a Lower East Sider, I’m always on the lookout for new historical finds in the neighborhood. This image blew my mind. It’s an intersection (Grand and East Broadway) that I frequently walk by—I never would have suspected that a structure like this would have occupied the lot prior to the Amalgamated Dwellings complex. It’s a reminder that New York is a city that’s constantly reinventing itself.

From Brigid: My favorite photo of the year is this giant garbage can from the Dept. of Sanitation collections. From subway posters to oversized displays in Times Square, NYC has always found unique ways to shame its citizens into being less messy.

From Henry: One of my favorite discoveries has to be learning that the ubiquity of the Christmas Tree markets stems from La Guardia’s War on Push Carts.

From Parker: I’m a big fan of old postcards, old newspaper articles, and peanuts. While trying to locate this postcard of a Planter’s Peanut store near Times Square, I found a 1996 New York Times column called “F.Y.I.” where a reader asked, "I seem to recall shaking hands with Mr. Peanut in Times Square. Was I dreaming?" Thankfully, there was an answer: Mr. Peanut was an employee of the largest Planter’s store in the franchise.

From Sam: I’ve always been mesmerized by Coney Island. It is many things to many people––a beach, an adventure park, a quintessential urban respite. But in everything, it is a melting pot for New Yorkers and meeting ground for their various exchanges. I think this photo captures the spirit of Coney Island (and New York) that I know and love.

From Ben: In 2020, Seward Park (the first municipal park in the United States) reopened after an extensive renovation. This image, shows an earlier iteration of the park that included a community garden and an ornate public bathhouse that no longer stands. The Public Design Commission put together a great story on these iconic structures.

From Henry: I find this photo mesmerizing - it's part of a Victory memorial celebrating the end of World War 1 - the pyramids are formed out of German helmets. It looks like something out of a movie or a novel.

From Parker: New York City was crowned the “Oyster Capital of the World” at a point in history. These narrow wedge-shaped barges, truly relics of the era, were designed uniquely for their purpose with bowed floors. It was interesting to find that a vessel nearly identical to those pictured here is returning to the harbor as a restaurant and bar.

From Chris: This year I’m feeling nostalgia not for slinging ice cream in 1959 as depicted here, but for visiting public spaces and sharing snacks with friends.

From Brigid: I was so excited that this year we finally added a photo of the Magnolia Grandiflora in Bed-Stuy! It is one of two NYC trees that have been designated a city landmark and it has an amazing story of survival and community advocacy.