Ben Rubin holds a bachelor's degree from Hanover College, a Master's from Western Carolina University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Drew University. He is also a graduate of the Cornell School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University. His work has been published in the Journal of Backcountry Studies and in Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution. In addition to academic experience, Ben worked as a docent at the Biltmore House in Asheville, and as a whitewater raft guide on the Nantahala River.

Dr. Glenn M. Grasso is a maritime historian with interests in cultural history, historical memory, architecture, and the marine environment. After a decade teaching, he moved to the private sector as writer and lead historian for a New York rare document dealer. He has worked in museums, sailed square-riggers, and researched waterfront cultures around the world. His academic training, irreverent humor, and years selling historic documents written by Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, to name a few, help him to connect these people and their works to historic sites.

Christopher has called New York City home since 1989, combined with many years living, studying, and working in Europe and the Middle East. Having been an expat in 7 countries, he knows how important it is to make guests feel welcome in an unfamiliar city. This motivates him to share his knowledge of New York City with others, and he wants to help all visitors gain unique insight into special places in his favorite city. Christopher has a PhD in history from Columbia University, has worked for universities and educational non-profits around the globe, and is interested in cultural and intellectual exchange, especially through education, cuisine, and travel.