‘The Origin Story of New York’s Public Health System’ Webinar
Flashback to the summer of 1793. With Philadelphia under attack from an invisible enemy called Yellow Fever, a group of leading doctors in New York City got together and convinced the government to block all ships from the nation’s then-capital. Realizing that quarantining would not be enough, and to control this deadly disease, the city and state began enacting sanitary protocols on a scale never before attempted — this is the story of how protecting the health of New Yorkers got its start over 200 years ago.
Join New York Adventure Club for a deep dive into the genesis of New York’s public health system, and how the city’s fight against disease would transition from purely reactive, to proactive initiatives that would serve as a model for other cities throughout the world.
Led by writer, historian, and New York City tour guide Lucie Levine, our unique virtual experience will include:
– How Yellow Fever led to the creation of the New York City Board of Health in 1805, and what actions they took to improve public health during the epidemic
– The story of John Pintard and why he was chosen to be New York’s first health commissioner in 1804
– A look at New York’s most innovative public health projects of the 19th and early 20th century, including the Old Croton Aqueduct, New York City sewer system, and first public health laboratory that applied bacteriological knowledge to prevent and control disease
– A discussion around some of the most notable moments in New York’s public health history, such as the successful use of contact tracing to locate “Typhoid Mary” Mallon in 1907, the most notorious infectious disease carrier of the 20th century
Afterward, we’ll have a Q&A with Lucie — any and all questions about John Pintard are welcomed and encouraged!
See you there, virtually! $10.
*Once registered, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you’re using the latest version of your internet browser — Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.
***A full replay will be available after the experience for all registered guests
About Lucie
Lucie Levine is a writer, historian, and New York City tour guide. She founded Archive on Parade, a historical tour and event company that takes New York’s history out of the archives and into the streets.
She has collaborated with institutions including The Municipal Art Society, The Historic Districts Council, The New York Public Library, The 92nd Street Y, The St. Regis Hotel, Village Preservation, The American Institute of Architects, The NYC Department of Transportation, and Landmarks West to offer exciting tours, lectures and community events all over town.
She is also the Public Programs Consultant at FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, and Contributing History Writer at 6sqft.
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