Pirates

Notice anyone unusual? Maybe that pirate at the edge of the curb there?

Actually he's not at ALL UNUSUAL. We run into people in period dress and in "character" costumes all the time for their positions in the many museums and as tour directors.

Here's the real pirate's courtyard:

This hangs on the front of the house that faces the street

The house was built in the early 1700s and was known as a place where pirates hung out--even Blackbeard was said to have taken lodging here. I read that there was a tunnel from the Battery that ended up at this house, in the basement. Pirates and other criminals did much smuggling, gambling, and other criminal activity here and were able to escape through the tunnel. Workers filled the tunnel with sand while working on the sewer in the 1930s. Human bones and other bits of dishes and pottery have been found in the home's basement. Some people think Blackbeard buried gold in the basement or in the tunnel itself. It has never been found.

should we go back there??

I will if y'all will!!!............

down the looooooooon skinny passageway............

(House to the left---brick cemetery wall on the right)

........and these days it opens out to a lovely courtyard that is shared by several condos I believe!

....no pirates, no gold, nothing scary.
But once upon a time...................