Manahatta

- land of many hills --> Manhattan

I wonder what it would've been called had it been named for all the creeks, streams and waterways that crossed the island 400 years ago.

There's a wonderful exhibit about it at the Museum of the City of NY at 103rd Street and Fifth Avenue. There are images of how the wooded areas, streams, grasslands carpeted the island.

What amazed me the most was the number of beaver ponds and dams and streams - they took up a lot more of the island than I would've expected.

The exhibit is on until 10-12-09.

I had a twofer ticket and hooked up with another lady coming in at the same time - we got in for $5 each!!!

There is a book about this: $40; there's also an interactive website.

Comments: 3

Denise W. Sep 25, 2009, 5:42pm EDT

I have not been to the museum in years. Then again I have not been home since 1996. I was born and raised in the city and used to love going there. At one point they had a wonderful doll exibit. It is a museum that many miss but really should been seen.

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Sara J. R. Sep 25, 2009, 10:03pm EDT

Thanks for the heads up Leslie. Do you know why it was named after "land of many hills"? I've never connected hills and Manhattan in the same thought. But I'm certainly glad that it wasn't named something like "Beaverville". It just doesn't have the same panache as 'Manhattan', IMHO, lol.

Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Sep 26, 2009, 8:10am EDT

There are MANY hills in Manhattan - especially as you get further north.
Even from Broadway to Riverside Drive on the upper west side, there is often a steep hill.

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