HISTORICAL EVENTS DOWNTOWN
The Lower Manhattan Historical Association has a whole bunch of events upcoming and most are free, but one is a fundraiser for their historical programming. Here goes:

It Happened Here : American Presidents in New York
Monday, February 17, 3 to 5p, Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall
CultureNOW, the Lower Manhattan Historical Association and the National Park Service will lead a symposium on presidents’ times in the city, including Theodore Roosevelt, who lived here, and Abraham Lincoln, who gave the famous speech at Cooper Union that launched his candidacy and returned a few years later in a casket to City Hall, marking the end of his presidency. Info here. 

It Happened Here : An Afternoon of Black History From the African Burial Ground to Thurgood Marshall Courthouse
Tuesday, February 18, 3 to 7p, African Burial Ground National Monument, 290 Broadway
This is a two-part event including a tour of the African Burial Ground with its architect Rodney Leon, and a discussion highlighting three legal pioneers — Justice Thurgood Marshall, Judge Constance Baker Motley, and Judge Robert L. Carter — who collaborated at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund before going on to preside on the federal bench at Foley Square. Speaking will be Hon. Paul A. Engelmayer, United States District Judge, Southern District of New York — former law clerk to Justice Marshall; Laura Taylor Swain, Chief Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of New York — former law clerk to Judge Motley; and Hon. Barrington D. Parker, Jr., United States Circuit Judge, Second Circuit — judicial colleague of Judge Carter. Info here. 

A Celebration of the New York Cocktail — A Benefit for It Happened Here
Thursday, February 20, 5 to 9p, 161 Water. Tickets are $250.
The evening is a fundraiser for the Lower Manhattan Historical Society‘s programming and will be dedicated to the iconic cocktails that define the Big Apple. Expert mixologists will be on hand to share the history behind each drink and demonstrate how to craft them perfectly. Cocktails by: Natasha David and David Moo.

BOGARDUS PLAZA SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS
This from the folks at Bogardus: Do you Love Tribeca and cherish outdoor public space? Join the Friends of Bogardus Plaza, our dynamic non profit board! We’re seeking passionate residents who want to connect with neighbors while making a real difference in our community. If you’d like to be part of the team that keeps this corner of Tribeca thriving, we’d love to hear from you – contact info@bogardusplaza.org

APPS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 1
Applications for Manhattan community boards are now open at the Borough President Mark Levine’s office and must be submitted online or postmarked by no later than 5:00 pm Friday, February 28. Following the submission deadline and an internal review process, the borough president’s staff will contact you regarding next steps, which may include an interview. Appointments will be announced in late spring.