Series III: University Building, 1832-1894, inclusive
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Scope and Contents note
This series contains photographs and prints of the interior and exterior of the University Building as well as the immediate surrounding area.
Arrangement note
The photos are arranged by type of view (exterior and interior). Exterior views are arranged chronologically. Interior views are arranged by subject (type of room).
Biographical/Historical note
The University Building was constructed on the northeast corner of the park between Washington Place and Waverly Place in 1833-34. Architects Ithiel Town, Alexander Jackson Davis, and James Dakin as well as NYU engineering professor David B. Douglass designed the university's first building in the Gothic Revival-style. This type of architectural style was meant to evoke the medieval buildings of Oxford and Cambridge and link the more modern and practical American curriculum the university was founded on to the long, rich tradition of English education.
Initially, the building was too large for the student body to fill so residential rooms, studios, and laboratories were rented out to a variety of artists and inventors including Winslow Homer and Samuel F.B. Morse. In the late 19th century as the university expanded, the undergraduate college moved to the more spacious University Heights campus in the Bronx initially leading to the decline of the Washington Square campus and in 1894 the University Building was demolished.
Sources:
"The University Building." The University Quarterly 17 (May 1894): 116-123. "University Building." New York University Education Quarterly (Spring 1981): 20.
University Building - Exterior, 1832, Proposed Design by A.J. Davis, 1832, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1832, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1832, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of the New York Historical Society
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University Building, Exterior, 1832, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, c. 1833, Watercolor & Engraving, A.J. Davis, c. 1833, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, circa 1833, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of Metropolitan Museum of Art
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University Building, Exterior, circa 1833, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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University Building, Exterior, circa 1833, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Propert of New York Historical Society
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University Building - Exterior, 1834, N.Y. Mirror View, 1834, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior elevation and building plan, 1834, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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University Building, Exterior, 1834, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1836, Allegorical Landscape by Samuel F.B. Morse, 1836, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1836, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of the New York Historical Society
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General note
black-and-white print (photograph), 8 x 10 inches. Image is of a painting.
University Building - Exterior, 1836, Hinshelwood Engraving, 1836, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1836, inclusive
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engraving (print), 2.75 x 3.75 inches
University Building, Exterior, 1836, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1836, Elevation and Plan by Town, Davis, Dakin & Douglas. Diary Excerpts, A.J. Davis, 1836, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior elevation and building plan, 1836, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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University Building, Exterior elevation and building plan, 1836, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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University Building - Exterior, 1837-1930s, Views from University Publications & Printed Materials, circa 1837-1939, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1837 July 20, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, circa 1936, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1935, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, probably 1848, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1835, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1861-1863, inclusive
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University Building, Partial Exterior, 1934, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, circa 1896, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1844, Valentine's Manual View, 1844, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1844, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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University Building - Exterior, 1846, Rural Repository (Same as commencement ticket, 1837) View, 1846, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1846, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1847, View From Discourse... by C. Mason (Same as Rural Repository, 1846), 1847, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1847, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1848, Pictorial Library of Useful Information, Vol 2, Number 10, 1848, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1848, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1850, Hoff View, 1850, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1850, inclusive
University Building - Exterior, c. 1850, Howland/Anstice View, ca. 1850, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, ca. 1850, inclusive
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Univeristy Building - Exterior, c. 1850, Richardson and Cox Engraving, 1850, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1853, inclusive
Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Copyright for image is unclear.
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University Building - Exterior, 1851, Boetticher View/ Parade Grounds, 1851, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1851, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Not for Reproduction: Property of Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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University Building - Exterior, 1852, Wade View (Printed in Gleason's Pictorial, September 4, 1852), 1852, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1852, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1867, View from Manual of the Corporation/ New York Public Library, 1867, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1867, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, c. 1867, Photograph (Front Elevation), ca. 1867, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, ca.1867, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1870?, Milgram Donation, 1870?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1870?, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1878, Hunter Rendering, 1878, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1878, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, c. 1880, Snow Scene, ca. 1880, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, ca. 1880, inclusive
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University Building, Partial Exterior, ca. 1880, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, c. 1890, Photograph (Museum of the City of New York), ca. 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, ca. 1890, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of Museum of the City of New York (MCNY)
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University Building - Exterior, 1890, McKim, Mead, White, University Building renovation plans - transparencies, negatives, and prints, 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior Elevation and Building Plan (negatives), 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Building Renovation Plan, 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Building Renovation Plan, 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Building Renovation Plan, 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Building Renovation Plan, 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Building Renovation Plan, 1890, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1890, Photograph (Front Elevation with Park Benches), 1890, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1893?-1894, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior view looking east, undated
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University Building - Exterior, 1891, "Number Five", 1891, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1891, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1891, View with Asbury Methodist Church, 1891, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1891, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1892, "421" (in lower left corner of image), 1892, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1892, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1892 Negative 4/1142 (Partial View), 1892, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1892, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1892 or 1893 Roof of South Wing - Photo taken by Dr. D.W. Hering, 1892? 1893?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior Roof of South Wing, 1892-1893?, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1893 Snow Scene, 1893, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1893, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1893?, 1893?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1893?, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1893? "Richard Original", 1893?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1893?, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of Museum of the City of New York (MCNY)
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University Building - Exterior, 1894 Snow Scene, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior, 1894? Tower, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, Cecil Dreeme Tower, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building - Exterior 19th Century, Harris, undated
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University Building, Exterior, undated
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University Building, Exterior, undated
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University Building - Exterior, undated Montages, N.D., undated
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University Building, Exterior, undated
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University Building - Exterior, 1894?, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building, Exterior, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Chancellor's Office, 1892, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Chancellor's Room, 1892, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Chancellor's Room, 1892, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, 1850-1892, Chapel, 1850-1892, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Chapel, undated
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University Building, Interior - Chapel, undated
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of New-York Historical Society (N-YHS).
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University Building, Interior - Chapel, 1856, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Chapel, 1850, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of New-York Historical Society (N-YHS).
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People
University Building, Interior - Chapel, 1850, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of New-York Historical Society (N-YHS).
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People
University Building, Interior - Chapel, 1892, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Chapel, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Chemistry Lab, ca. 1893, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Chemistry Lab, 1895, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Council Room, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Council Room, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Council Room, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Eucleian Hall, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Eucleian Hall, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Greek Room, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Greek Hall, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Hennessy's Studio, 1866, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Hennessy's Studio, 1866, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Junior Law Room, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Junior Law Room, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Library, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Library, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Pedagogy Office, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Pedagogy Office, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Pedagogy Office -- Negative, 1925-04-07
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Appraisal
Following digitization in February 2024, this cellulose nitrate negative was discarded as hazardous waste because it posed a fire safety hazard.
University Building - Interior, Philomathean Hall, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Philomathean Hall, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Physics Lab, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Physics Lab, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Physics Lab, 1894, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Plans, 1830s, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Plans, undated
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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University Building, Interior - Plans, 1832, inclusive
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Conditions Governing Access note
Do Not Reproduce - Property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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University Building, Interior - Plans, undated
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University Building - Interior, Richards' Studio, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Richards' Studio, 1894?, inclusive
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University Building - Interior, Small Chapel, 1894, inclusive
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University Building, Interior - Small Chapel, 1894, inclusive
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University Building Small Chapel - Interior -- Negative, 1894
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Appraisal
Following digitization in February 2024, this cellulose nitrate negative was discarded as hazardous waste because it posed a fire safety hazard.