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What burning questions do you have for a New York City historian?

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No question is too big, small, or strange

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Welcome to Friday Open Threads, wherein we'll pass the mic to readers to speak up about topics of interest, distress, horror, etc. Have something you want discussed? Let us know.

Even if you think you’re a New York City expert, there are bound to be some things you didn’t know about the five boroughs. (Like: there’s a crematorium in Queens where J.P. Morgan, the Notorious B.I.G., and Lou Gehrig were all cremated after their deaths. Weird, huh?)

In that vein, we’ll be launching a column soon in which we ask historians and other experts to answer your most pressing questions about New York City. Nothing is too big, small, or strange when it comes to uncovering the secrets of this fair city.

So today’s open thread is less of a discussion starting point, and more of a request: Is there something you’ve always wondered about New York City—how a street got its name, why a building was designed a certain way, or what that weird building on your block is?

Then drop your questions in the comments, or email our tipline (please put “Ask a Historian” in the subject line!), and we’ll answer them in an upcoming column. And prepare to have your mind blown.