Christopher Payne: North Brother Island: The Last Unknown Place in New York City

An uninhabited island of ruins in the East River near the Bronx, North Brother Island has been the site of a smallpox hospital and drug-addiction treatment center. It's off-limits to the public, but photographer Payne gained access for his book, which shows nature reclaiming the territory. Advance registration is suggested; call 212-840-1840, ext 2, or e-mail karin.taylor@generalsociety.org.