Oysters 101: The Secrets NYC’s Bivalves Harbor

From feeding happy hour hordes and filtering New Yorkers’ sewage, to protecting the shore from intensifying storms and educating nascent scientists, oysters shell out countless benefits to Gotham’s culinary, historical, and environmental landscapes. Join us as we examine the bivalves’ pivotal place in the story of New York, beginning with Lenape cultivation and continuing to today’s ambitious plans to build artificial oyster reefs. BHS Vice President for Curatorial Affairs and Collections Julie Golia leads a conversation with Billion Oyster Project Director of Education Ann Fraioli, chef and oyster farmer Kerry Heffernan, and Mark Kurlansky, author of The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell.

Presented in connection with the exhibition, “Waterfront.”