MAS tour leaders are architects, architectural historians, designers, geographers, urban and art historians, teachers and writers who are singularly qualified to interpret the cityscape.

JACK EICHENBAUM holds a Ph.D. in urban geography. He’s a lifelong observer of New York City and other large cities around the world. His expertise lies in historical urban geography, migration, ethnicity and technological change. Jack maintains a storehouse of urban concepts, researched facts and what he calls biased memories of bygone eras. His favorite teacher is the city itself.

JUSTIN FERATE is an urban, social and architectural historian, and the former Director of Adult Education at Cooper Union. Recently, the Governor of New York State and the New York State Tourism Council recognized him as New York’s “Most Engaging Tour Guide.” In 2003, Justin was selected to create the New York City Professional Tour Guide Licensing Examination by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.

FRANCIS MORRONE is an author, arts critic, newspaper columnist, literary historian, lecturer, and teacher. His books include An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn, and An Architectural Guidebook to New York City. Morrone writes the weekly column “Abroad in New York,” on New York buildings and history, for the New York Sun. He teaches at New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

MATT POSTAL is an architectural historian, specializing in twentieth century architecture and urbanism. He has been a member of the research staff of the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission since 1998 and is an adjunct professor of architectural history at the New York School of Interior Design and Lewis and Clark College. He recently co-authored the Guide to New York City Landmarks.

TONY ROBINS is an historian who writes about, lectures on, and leads walking tours of, New York City’s history and architecture. During a long stint at New York’s Landmarks Commission, he served as Deputy Director of Research and then Director of Survey. He was also a founding member of the Art Deco Society of New York, whose walking tour program he created. Robins holds an M.A. degree in Art History from the Courtauld Institute in London.

JOE SVEHLAK is a native New Yorker and an urban historian with a special affinity for lesser-known neighborhoods in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. His first job as a teenager was as a messenger for print shops in lower Manhattan, sparking his interest in preservation and history. He has been active in the preservation of his neighborhood in Brooklyn ever since and is continually educating himself through his thorough exploration of the city.