Sunday, November 7, 2004
Manhattan

The island of Manhattan is perforated by a number of creeks, forced underground during the last two centuries in the course of urban development. In 1865, the engineer Egbert L. Viele created a topographical map of all subterranean waterways, which is used by foundation engineers to this day.

One of these rivers, however, was deliberately left off the map, its course marked by only a few cryptic indicators — obelisks, architectural ornaments, a last dead fish floating near the former "Temple of the Sunfish Pond." As the scavenger hunt unfolded, the teams were directed across Manhattan in a quest for the Egyptian-themed architecture that Viele himself had a penchant for. They discovered the lost water source near the mouth of Greenwich Village's Minetta Creek, aboard an aging steamer.

The celebration of our teams' successful scavenger hunt was held on the Lilac, a beautiful, partially deteriorated lighthouse tender on Pier 40. Ars Subterranea is grateful for the opportunity to host the first event of this sort on the Lilac, and while we love nothing more than the sight of rust and peeling paint, we'd like to hook up anyone able to contribute to the restoration of this historic 1933 vessel. For more information, visit its website or drop us a line.