American Biographies - History Books

For over one hundred years people have been coming to Atlantic City to swim in the ocean, walk on the boardwalk, and get away from their day-to-day lives.....

Return to the halcyon days of the sand and sun as local writers and long-time locals present stories from Atlantic City's heartwarming past.

Legends of LIC

Long Island City may be one of New York’s fastest growing neighborhoods, but it already has an incredible history within the Big Apple. DeWitt Clinton lived in a mansion off Newtown Creek and is credited with bringing the “Inland Empire” to the “Empire City” by spearheading the construction of the Erie canal, connecting America’s heartland to New York’s economic hub. William Steinway saw Astoria as the perfect blank canvas to build his groundbreaking “Steinway Settlement,” including a waterfront park, public bathhouse, housing, a family mansion and a new factory to build his world-renowned pianos. The neighborhood has been a center of innovation, with Chester Carlson’s lab as the site of the first photocopy. And the Sony company launched dozens of pioneering transistor-based products from Sunnyside’s Van Dam street.

Join the Greater Astoria Historical Society as they present historic tales from Long Island City.

Hailing from the home of industrious, strong and creative individuals, the women of the Catskills have embodied this rugged spirit best. Though often overlooked in Catskill Mountain history, their stories are inspiring, like that of Candace Wheeler, who used her rural upbringing to achieve personal success and improve life for others. They are personal, such as Lucy Lobdell's story. A century ahead of her time, she challenged conventional thoughts on equality and lifestyle. Most of all, they reflect the spirit of their surroundings, as independent women like Marion Bullard challenged the status quo to build a better community. Overcoming the physical challenges of mountain life and the societal obstacles they faced because of their gender, Catskills' most fearless women are revealed by local historian Richard Heppner.