Tweed courthouse

紐約深入觀光的另一種方式為線上預約。很多有名的建築、私人豪宅除了每年十月的OPEN HOUSE 可以免費一窺究竟之外，一些政府機構也提供網路或電話預約由專人簡介導覽，如FED的黃金倉庫 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Bank_of_New_York
"Main article: 33 Liberty Street
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York maintains a vault that lies 86 feet (26 m) below sea level, resting on Manhattan bedrock. By 1927, the vault contained ten percent of the world's official gold reserves. Currently, it is reputedly the largest gold repository in the world (though this cannot be confirmed as Swiss Banks do not report their gold stocks) and holds approximately 5,000 metric tons of gold bullion ($160 billion as of March 2008), more than Fort Knox. The gold is owned by many foreign nations, central banks and international organizations. The Federal Reserve Bank does not own the gold but serves as guardian of the precious metal, which it protects at no charge as a gesture of good will to other nations."
及City hall tour & Tweed courthouse tour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweed_Courthouse

2009.3.13 前往city hall參觀頹德老大的房子
(台灣翻譯為特威德: http://www.americancorner.org.tw/americaslibrary/category/page/jb/recon/boss_1.htm)

這棟古色古香的建築是19世紀紐約最重要的建築之一，歷經及兩位建築師(1861-1881)，花了美金11-12 million，不過2/3進入了當時為紐約市長及參議員Tweed的口袋中。2001年重建後目前為紐約教育部的辦公場所。
有人問為何這麼重要的建築要保留貪官Tweed的名字呢?
Well, it is part of the history.

"
The Old New York County Courthouse, better known as Tweed Courthouse, is architecturally one of New York's greatest civic monuments. Built between 1861 and 1881, it is the product of two of New York's most prominent 19th century architects, John Kellum (1809-1871) and Leopold Eidlitz (1823-1908). Tweed is a designated New York City landmark and sections of the interior are designated interior landmarks as well. The courthouse has retained its original spatial arrangement, encompassing 30 monumental courtrooms and a central rotunda. Their immense cast-iron structural and decorative elements are unparalleled in any American public building.
In December 1861, John Kellum won the commission to build the "New County Courthouse." Kellum designed a rusticated basement, monumental Corinthian portico, and a dome, which was never built. On the interior, Kellum created neoclassical-style courtrooms and offices as well as the first two floors of the rotunda. After Kellum's death, the City commissioned Leopold Eidlitz in 1874 to complete the interior and design a new south wing. Rather than following Kellum's neoclassical style, Eidlitz incorporated elements of Romanesque architecture, including on the interior polychromed brick and richly carved stonework as well as a spectacular laylight over the octagonal rotunda–one of the most impressive public spaces in New York City.
Tweed Courthouse is the legacy of Tammany Hall boss William M. Tweed (1823-1878), who used the construction of the building to embezzle large sums from the budget. Boss Tweed was tried in 1873 in an unfinished courtroom in this building and was convicted and jailed. After the Tweed Ring was broken up, work stopped on the building from 1872 to 1876. Construction progressed slowly after the Tweed years, and it was not until 1881 that the building was finally completed.
In 1999, a comprehensive restoration began to return Tweed to its original grandeur. The front staircase, which had been removed in 1940 to widen Chambers Street, was reconstructed. The restoration also included the reapplication of the historic paint scheme, which includes faux brick painting and gold leaf appliqué.
Today, Tweed is home to the Department of Education and the first floor is occupied by Ross Global Academy Charter School."
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/artcom/html/tours/tweed.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweed_Courthouse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Tweed