In the mid-nineteenth century, Charles Pfaff ran a beer cellar in Manhattan affectionately known as "the Vault." Here, authors, poets, journalists, and writers gathered to share ideas and camaraderie, along with no shortage of alcoholic beverages. In an unpublished poem, Walt Whitman described "The vault at Pfaffs where the drinkers and laughers meet to eat and drink and carouse." This digital humanities project, edited by English professor Edward Whitley and librarian Rob Weidman (both of Lehigh University), allows visitors to explore a number of primary and secondary materials about the remarkable individuals who frequented the Vault. Visitors interested in learning more about antebellum Bohemian culture may want to start by exploring the extensive Timeline and Map available in the Bohemian New York section. Others may want to browse or search literary and artwork by Vault patrons via Works, where materials are organized by Artwork, Books, Periodicals, Theater, and Manuscripts. In addition, visitors can learn more about the social networks of Bohemian New York and read biographies of dozen of individuals in the People section.
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