Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names

Each day, millions of people “take” the Major Deegan, the Hutchinson Expressway, the Outerbridge Crossing, and the Holland Tunnel. Few travelers remember that, before these names became an urban shorthand for congestion, they were actual people. But how did this infrastructure get named? Who decides? By what process? In this course, we will use the naming of New York City’s roads, bridges, and civic institutions as a unique window into urban social structure and the City’s ever-changing inhabitants and legal structures. Looking at different eras in New York history, students will see how naming practices changed over time, and what the process of naming civic institutions tells us about who we think we are. In the process students will learn about the Revolutionary War figures, civil rights heroes, robber barons, and Tammany Hall politicos whose names grace much of our infrastructure.

Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 PM
April 3-24
$150 (4 sessions)

Meet your instructor

Rebecca Bratspies

Rebecca Bratspies is a longtime resident of Astoria Queens. When not geeking out about New York City history, she is a Professor at CUNY School of Law, where she is the founding director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. A scholar of environmental justice, and human rights, Rebecca has written scores of law review articles. Her most recent book is Naming New York: The Villains, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York Place Names. Her co-authored textbook Environmental Justice: Law Policy and Regulation is used in schools across the country. Bratspies is perhaps best known for her environmentally-themed comic books Mayah’s Lot, Bina’s Plant, and Troop’s Run, made in collaboration with artist Charlie LaGreca-Velasco. These widely adopted comic books bring environmental literacy to a new generation of environmental leaders. Learn more at www.Rebecca.Bratspies.com.

Rebecca serves on NYC’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board, and EPA’s Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee, is a scholar with the Center for Progressive Reform and a member of the NYC Bar Environmental Committee. ABA-SEER honored her work with its 2021 Commitment to Diversity and Justice Award. She was named the Center for International Sustainable Development Law’s 2022 International Legal Specialist for Human Rights Award, and her environmental justice advocacy has been awarded the PSC-CUNY “In It Together” Award, and the Eastern’ Queens Alliance’s Snowy Egret Award. Rebecca was a Luce Scholar in Taipei, Taiwan in 1994-1995.