Talks of the Town
Fresh Kills: A History of Consuming and Discarding in New York City featuring Martin Melosi in conversation with Phillip Papas
Saturday, April 20 | 2-3pm
General Admission $5
Members - Free
Visitors are encouraged to book online, cash at the door ($10 credit limit)
This program series explores topics that compliment exhibitions and education programs. The series hosts a diverse set of speakers, experts, and facilitators to bring in-depth insights and perspectives on various subjects related to Staten Island and Greater New York. This series focuses on published works related to Staten Island history, inviting published authors to connect with the community.
For decades, Staten Island was defined by Fresh Kills—a monumental 2,200-acre site—once the world’s largest landfill. From 1948 to 2001, it was the main receptacle for New York City’s refuse. After the 9/11 attacks, it reopened briefly to receive human remains and rubble from the destroyed Twin Towers, turning a notorious disposal site into a cemetery. Today, a mammoth reclamation project is transforming the landfill site, constructing an expansive park three times the size of Central Park.
In this lecture, Martin Melosi provides a comprehensive chronicle of Fresh Kills that offers new insights into the growth and development of New York City and the relationship among consumption, waste, and disposal. He traces the metamorphoses of the landscape, following it from salt marsh to landfill to cemetery and looks ahead to the future park.
