Let There Be Peace On Earth

Let There Be Peace On Earth, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

The United States Institute of Peace was created by Congress as a non-partisan, federal institution that works to prevent or end violent conflict around the world. President Ronald Reagan signed the United States Institute of Peace Act that established the Institute in 1984. The USIP's employees study conflicts, then finds ways to end or prevent violence through analysis and on-the-ground training. The group works to prevent, manage and resolve violent international conflict by “promoting post-conflict stability and development”. USIP seeks to bridge its analysis with action, incorporating training on the ground to prevent violent conflict or identify ways to end conflict by convening warring groups or tribes. Designed by Moshe Safdie Architects, the LEED-certified building aims to serve as a dynamic symbol of America's commitment to peacebuilding. It includes a Global Peacebuilding Center for public education and an Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding.

1964 World's Fair New York State Pavilion

1964 World's Fair New York State Pavilion, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

The New York World's Fair New York State Pavilion is a historic world's fair pavilion at Flushing Meadows – Corona Park in Flushing, Queens, New York. The New York State Pavilion was designed and built between 1962 and 1964. It was designed by famed modernist architect Philip Johnson. It consists of three components of reinforced concrete and steel construction: the "Tent of Tomorrow," Observation Towers, and Theaterama. The "Tent of Tomorrow" is elliptical in plan and its reinforced concrete piers once supported the largest cable suspension roof in the world. The Observation Towers are three concrete towers with the tallest at 226 feet high. The towers have observation platforms once accessed by two "Sky Streak capsule" elevators attached to the tallest western tower. The southern tower has a platform height of 85-feet and the northern tower is at 160-feet. Theaterama was originally a single drum-shaped volume of reinforced concrete. Additions to the original structure were made in 1992-1993 and in 2008-2009. The Theaterama is home to the Queens Theatre in the Park. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

NMAI Study

NMAI Study, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

The National Museum of the American Indian is the eighteenth museum of the Smithsonian Institution. It is the first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans. Established by an act of Congress in 1989, the museum works in collaboration with the Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere to protect and foster their cultures by reaffirming traditions and beliefs, encouraging contemporary artistic expression, and empowering the Indian voice.

Berlin Iron Bridge Co. circa 1896

Berlin Iron Bridge Co. circa 1896, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

A "Through Truss style iron bridge over South Branch Raritan River on CR 667 in Neshanic , Somerset County, NJ.
bridgehunter.com/nj/somerset/18C0601/
www.past-inc.org/bibco/

Almost The Othmar Ammann Bridge

Almost The Othmar Ammann Bridge, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

"The George Washington Bridge over the Hudson is the most beautiful bridge in the world. Made of cables and steel beams, it gleams in the sky like a reversed arch. It is blessed. It is the only seat of grace in the disordered city. It is painted an aluminum color and, between water and sky, you see nothing but the bent cord supported by two steel towers. When your car moves up the ramp the two towers rise so high that it brings you happiness; their structure is so pure, so resolute, so regular that here, finally, steel architecture seems to laugh. The car reaches an unexpectedly wide apron; the second tower is very far away; innumerable vertical cables, gleaming against the sky, are suspended from the magisterial curve which swings down and then up. The rose-colored towers of New York appear, a vision whose harshness is mitigated by distance." (from When the Cathedrals were White)

New Birth of Freedom

New Birth of Freedom, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Strictly Jeffersonian

Strictly Jeffersonian, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

The words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, have shaped American ideals. Today, many of these impressive, stirring words adorn the interior walls of his memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all citizens of the United States and the world.

The Other Side

1983-03_Roll 131_34, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

Fallingwater circa 1983
Frank Lloyd Wright's "Kaufmann Residence"
Photographed in 1983 with Kodak Professional Tri-X 400TX - 135 (35 mm) B&W Film and Negative Digitally Scanned

And I Love Her

Photo taken in The Temple of Dendur in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
http://bit.ly/kJChII
And I Love Her Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Liberty State Park 2011

Liberty State Park 2011, a set on Flickr.

Spent a nice afternoon photographing with my daughter at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ.

St. Louis No. 3

St. Louis No. 3, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

Established in 1854, St. Louis No. 3 is built on an old leper colony. Governor Galvez exiled the city's lepers to this location. It was known as "Leper's Land." However, after the huge yellow fever outbreak of 1853, the city was in need of another cemetery. It was first known as Bayou Cemetery. This cemetery is in great condition compared to St. Louis #1 and #2, mostly because of it's waiting list of people desiring plots here. There is a constant flow of bodies coming to the cemetery, both alive and dead. There are many society tombs, such as the famous Byzantine style tomb of the Hellenic Orthodox community, the Dante Lodge of Masons, the Young Men's Benevolent Association, and the United Slavonian Benevolent Association. There are many more italian names here than in the older cemeteries. www.nolacemeteries.com/

Pacific Campaign

Pacific Campaign, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

New Jersey's WW II Memorial, Trenton

World War II was the greatest military victory for the United States. It was an effort in which every citizen contributed and had a stake in the outcome, along the front lines and the home front. It was a war neither the United States nor our Allies could afford to lose.

Today, America is rapidly saying goodbye to our "Greatest Generation" of citizens. The State of NewJersey has taken the initiative to honor and remember them by creating a memorial in Trenton across from the State House at Veterans Park

Fittingly, the theme for New Jersey's World War II Memorial is "Victory." The memorial honors and pays tribute to the courage and the many sacrifices of the World War II Generation as it celebrates the greatest victory our country has ever known.

Kip's Castle

Kip's Castle, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

On an eleven acre estate on the border of Montclair and Verona townships and part of the Essex County, New Jersey Park System. Walk through property and soak in a spectacular view of New York City. Admire the magnificent 9,000 square-foot mansion that replicates a medieval Norman castle, and the 6,000 square-foot, two-story carriage house.

www.essex-countynj.org/p/index.php?section=k/o

Pequannock Gate

Pequannock Gate, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

One of Newark, New Jersey’s most unusual buildings is a yellow-stone crenellated tower located right across from Calandra's bakery on Bloomfield Avenue in Roseville. Is it a watchtower? A rook from a giant’s chessboard? Or a library, as many old visitors apparently used to believe? No, no, and no. The Bloomfield Avenue tower is a memorial to Mayor Joseph E. Haynes and a former meter house for the Newark water supply.

http://www.newarkhistory.com/pequannock.html

Root Cellar

Root Cellar, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

The Thomas Clarke House at the Princeton Battlefield Park, Princeton, NJ

Jersey Corinthian

Jersey Corinthian, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

Column Captital at the main entrance of the New Jersey State Capital Building, Trenton, NJ

Gabriel's Horn

Gabriel's Horn, originally uploaded by Mike Soriano.

Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Newark, NJ

New Jersey's Best Buildings and Places

New Jersey's Best Buildings and Places, a set on Flickr.
Some of my submissions to AIA New Jersey's 150 Best Buildings and Places

ALNNJ Gallery Show 2011

ALNNJ Gallery Show 2011, a set on Flickr.

Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart 2011

Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart 2011, a set on Flickr.

Beautiful day in Newark, NJ 4/14/2011