Curated by Joseph A. Gornail & Steven D. Garcia of Fine Print New York • 315 Madison Avenue • Email Us • 212.619.5446

10,000+ Years Ago

Learn all about NYC’s distant past as “Mannahatta” or the “Island of Many Hills”


-250000000: Pangea

A detailed map of Pangea which illustrates modern borders and countries to highlight the unique geography that helped shape the City of New York.


-2000000: The Ice Age

2 million years ago marked the beginning of an ice age which covered much of North America in glaciers which would carve and shape the landscape over millennia.


-19000: Peak of the Ice Age in New York City

At the apex of the Ice Age, the Laurentide Ice Sheet would reach a maximum thickness of 2,000 feet - blanketing even our tallest buildings.


-12000: The Great Melt

As global temperatures began to rise, the ice retreated and in its wake were marshlands, streams and forests teeming with wildlife and fish.

One of the first tribes to settle in the Hudson Valley were the Algonquians -  a group of nomadic tribes inhabiting much of North America

-700: Rise of the Algonquians

One of the first tribes to settle in the Hudson Valley were the Algonquians - a group of nomadic tribes inhabiting much of North America

The Algonquians would eventually discover how to plant crops, which transformed their nomadic culture into more established tribes and communities.

-15000: The Impact of Agriculture

The Algonquians would eventually discover how to plant crops, which transformed their nomadic culture into more established tribes and communities.

To compliment their primary diet of corn, squash and beans, Algonquians were avid hunters with a preference for deer, moose, and small game.

-10000: The Algonquian Diet

To compliment their primary diet of corn, squash and beans, Algonquians were avid hunters with a preference for deer, moose, and small game.

The Algonquians who would settle in the Northeastern Woodlands would eventually come to be known as the Lenni Lenape.

-10000: Lenni Lenape: The Original Native New Yorkers

The Algonquians who would settle in the Northeastern Woodlands would eventually come to be known as the Lenni Lenape.

The Lenape were extremely gifted hunters/trappers, farmers and weavers and would overcome countless obstacles to enjoy an age of prosperity.

-5000: Lenape Lifestyle, Trade and Commerce

The Lenape were extremely gifted hunters/trappers, farmers and weavers and would overcome countless obstacles to enjoy an age of prosperity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is History101.nyc?

Welcome to the History of New York City - A Unique Online Gallery of NYC's Origins, Curated and Digitally Restored by Fine Print New York.

We're opening our archives to present this Collection of Vintage Photos, Historical Images and Rare Lithographs. This Exclusive Series of High Quality Art Prints are only Available for Purchase Exclusively on this Site.

What Time Periods, Eras, Decades of NYC History are available?

We cover a great portion of the city's history, ranging from its earliest days as New Amsterdam to the late 1980s. Artists are currently working on photos from the 90s to present day,

Here's a current list of what is covered:

Dutch Era: When New York Was New Amsterdam

NYC in the 1600s

Georgian Era

NYC in the 1700s • NYC from 1800 to 1850

Victorian Era

NYC in the 1850s • NYC in the 1860s • NYC in the 1870s • NYC in the 1880s

Progressive Era

NYC in the 1890s • NYC from 1900 to 1905 • 1905 to 1910 • 1910 to 1915 • 

World War 1

NYC from 1915 to 1920

Art Deco

NYC from 1920 to 1925 • NYC from 1925 to 1930

Depression Era

NYC from 1930 to 1935 • NYC from 1935 to 1940

World War 2

NYC from 1940 to 1945

MidCentury Modern Era

NYC from 1945 to 1950 • 1950 to 1955 • 1955 to 1960 • 1960 to 1965 • 1965 to 1970

Energy Crisis

NYC from 1970 to 1975 • 1975 to 1980

Reagan Era

NYC from 1980 to 1985 • 1985 to 1990
Can I License Any of These Images?

Digital licenses are available for educational institutions (schools, universities, non-profit organizations). Please contact legal@fineprintnyc.com to discuss conditions for licensing.

NOTE: Any form of commercialization or redistribution of these images, either as tangible goods or third party licenses, is expressly forbidden.

Who started History101.nyc?

Joseph Gornail, printer/photographer and founder of Fine Print New York. Joseph grew up in SoHo, Manhattan and is part of a long lineage of NYC printers, learning the family trade from his grandfather. While working for Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong in 1996, Joseph founded All City Marketing & Printing, and in 1999 Co-Founded the legendary street wear company "Orchard Street " with lifelong friends Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett. Fine Print NYC was established in 2004 with a Nike project being the launchpad for a commercial printing company that has not only survived, but thrived in the digital age.

Steven Garcia, designer/illustrator and creative director of Fine Print New York. Born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Steven attended Fashion Industries High School and F.I.T. before building a successful career at Saatchi & Saatchi for as a professional retoucher and storyboard artist in 1995. Steven started ShinyDesign in 1998 and partnered with Fine Print in 2004 as the exclusive design firm for the company. Steven has independently worked on major advertising campaigns for many brands over the years, such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria and Sony to name a few.

Together, Joseph & Steven are responsible for the curation and direction of the History101.nyc project, which has been under development since 2006. They have a long history of collaborating together, going back as far as 2001 when Joseph was gallery manager and Steven was a curator at The New York City Urban Experience, an art gallery & museum that was located at 85 South Street and owned by Mike Saes of the Nike Bridge Runners and True Yorkers.

@History101NYC

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History101.NYC is an ad-free learning resource available to the public at no charge.
This project is dedicated to exploring New York’s fascinating heritage through the restoration of vintage photographs and prints.