New-York Historical Society original buildings planning & construction records
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Abstract
The New-York Historical Society original buildings planning & construction records include material concerning construction of the two buildings by N-YHS that served as its home from 1857-1908 (2nd Avenue and 11th Street) and from 1908 to the present (Central Park West, between West 76th and 77th streets). The record group includes both the construction of the Central Park West building's central portion in the first decade of the twentieth century and the major expansion of the building in the late 1930s. These records include documentation related to the planning and administration of the construction projects, contracts, financial matters, and over 1200 architectural and other plans, primarily in connection with the 1937-1938 expansion. The record group also includes correspondence and other substantive matter related to N-YHS's unsuccessful attempt in the 1860s and 1870s to establish in Central Park a Museum of Antiquities, Science, and Art.
Biographical/Historical Note
For the first 53 years of its existence, from 1804 until 1857, the New-York Historical Society (N-YHS) did not own its own building, but operated out of rented or other quarters. On November 3, 1857, N-YHS dedicated its newly-constructed eighth home, the first it owned, at 2nd Avenue and 11th Street. The push for this building officially began on June 1, 1847, when N-YHS members voted to raise $50,000 to erect a fireproof building. A Buildings Committee was formed to solicit subscriptions for a Building Fund. Luther Bradish was named Chairman of the committee.
By January 15, 1850, the committee was able to report at a N-YHS meeting that $25,000 had been subscribed. This was the level at which the subscription commitments became binding and collections into the Fund began. Administratively, this triggered the creation of a new committee to implement the project itself: the Committee, or Trustees, of the Building Fund. At the trustees' first meeting, on January 29, 1850, Frederic De Peyster became Chairman and Benjamin H. Field was named to the Treasurer position. The trustees also created various (sub)committees to carry the work forward. Among these was the Buildings Committee, which had responsibilities for site selection, solicitation of design plans, and other core project activities. Luther Bradish, who had become N-YHS president at this same point in time, in January 1850, was named Chairman of the trustees' Buildings Committee.
It is worth emphasizing that the Buildings Committee formed in January 1850 was a sub-committee of the Building Fund trustees. It differed from the earlier Buildings Committee mentioned above, which was formed in 1847 and was a committee of N-YHS itself. The N-YHS Buildings Committee continued to exist after 1850 and to solicit additional subscriptions because the anticipated full project cost had not yet been achieved. By 1852, the N-YHS Buildings Committee was known as the Committee on Subscriptions to the Building Fund and remained in operation until 1857. (These distinctions are important to note in part because the minutes for the committees were maintained in separate books; all three are found in Series I of this record group.)
After consideration of various sites, and even the possibility of jointly acquiring land and constructing a building with the New York Society Library, the 2nd Avenue and 11th Street site was selected and purchased from Peter and Julia Stuyvesant in early 1854. Plans for the building were then solicited; among the designs submitted were those from Georg Carstensen & Carl Gildemeister, the team that had designed the New York Crystal Palace in 1853. Eventually though the firm of Mettam & Burke won the job. The architects' specifications for the mason and other work were distributed in 1855 and contracts awarded. The cornerstone for the new building was laid on October 17, 1855.
Despite this progress, there remained insufficient funds to complete the desired building. Accordingly, it seems that cutbacks in the plans were initially made, while efforts to acquire further funds continued, with a renewed appeal in 1856. These efforts were successful, leading to changes in design during the project to accomplish N-YHS's goals. By late 1857, construction was complete and the building was dedicated on November 3, 1857. The location would remain N-YHS's home for fifty years, until the Society moved to the present Central Park West site in 1907. In 1911, the 2nd Avenue property was sold.
Shortly after moving into the 2nd Avenue building, N-YHS began expanding its museum and art collections in significant ways: in 1858, it acquired the collection of the New York Gallery of Fine Art; in 1859, James Lenox donated his collection of Nineveh sculptures; and in 1860, the purchase of the Abbott Egyptian collection was completed. Consequently, almost immediately the possibility of acquiring expanded quarters was a consideration. This possibility was pursued for a time, beginning at an Executive Committee meeting on August 14, 1860, when Librarian George Moore broached the topic of locating a Museum of Antiquities, Science, and Art on the site of the Arsenal in Central Park. A committee, chaired by Luther Bradish, was formed to look into the matter.
By March 1861, the committee had considered and agreed on the desirability of the Arsenal site, and they approached the Board of Commissioners of Central Park with a proposed memorial to offer the State Legislature. By late 1861 the Commissioners had concurred with N-YHS's proposal and a bill was proposed in the Assembly. The bill passed on March 25, 1862, authorizing the Commissioners to set aside the Arsenal and surrounding land for N-YHS. In response, N-YHS formed another committee, also chaired by Bradish, to establish a plan for proceeding. This committee delivered its report to the Executive Committee on June 1, 1863, resulting in the formation of a Building Committee, chaired by Bradish, and a Committee on Subscriptions, chaired by Frederic De Peyster. Bradish died shortly after and Charles D. Kirkland assumed the chair.
Partly as a result of Bradish's death, the Arsenal effort stalled for a time, but was resurrected in early 1864 by Kirkland. Through 1864, Kirkland was in contact with Andrew Green, Comptroller of the Board of Commissioners, to acquire a resolution from the Commissioners agreeing to the conveyance pursuant to the Legislature's Act of 1862. It appears that disagreements between N-YHS and the Commissioners developed over the conditions to be attached to the conveyance, and negotiations carried into 1865. Finally, the Commissioners approved a resolution on May 11, 1865, which was accepted, apparently with some reservations, by the Society. Conditions of the resolution included the requirement that N-YHS commence building within two years, completing it within five years. Separately, on the fundraising front, an effort to raise subscriptions had not gone forward, pending the approval of building plans by the Commissioners.
By December 1865, N-YHS submitted to the Commissioners designs developed by architect Richard M. Hunt. These plans were not accepted by the Commissioners, and N-YHS was requested to submit new plans for a new location north of the Arsenal site, on 5th Avenue between 79th and 85th streets. This was a subject of negotiation between N-YHS and the Commissioners through 1866, until in December 1866, the Commissioners communicated formally to N-YHS that the original Arsenal plan was not satisfactory and would not go forward. This set back the N-YHS effort and the Building Committee was disbanded in July 1867.
Still, N-YHS had not completely given up on the possibility of a Central Park site. A new committee was formed in July 1867 to reconsider the matter, leading eventually in April 1868 to acceptance of the Commissioners' proposed site. The committee sent a memorial to Albany requesting appropriate legislation and this was passed in April 1868, authorizing the Commissioners to provide the 5th Ave and 79th to 85th street site to N-YHS. Little subsequent action seems to have occurred until January 1871 when N-YHS contacted the Commissioners to re-open discussions about plans. No response was received. A follow-up letter from N-YHS in April 1872 led to meetings that year, with no resolution. Although N-YHS maintained committees on the subject, no action took place. The matter lingered with N-YHS as late as January 1876 when Edward de Lancey reported to the Society on the desirability of reopening discussion with the Commissioners, but the moment, if it ever was truly an option, was gone.
Nonetheless, N-YHS's interest in moving to new quarters did not end with the close of the Central Park possibility. In March 1880, N-YHS established a General Committee to consider the future of the organization, particularly in terms of securing a new building, developing an endowment, preserving its collections, and strengthening its Publications Fund. Although subscriptions were solicited in 1880-81 for the endowment, the building initiative was not advanced until May 1885 when the Executive Committee formed a new committee for the purpose of raising funds for a building. The effort was encouraged by a conditional gift from an anonymous donor: $100,000 had been placed in trust, to be distributed to N-YHS if it was able to raise an additional $300,000 for a building by November 1887. An appeal was distributed, but less than half the $300,000 was raised by the deadline. Rather than withdraw the offer, the donor agreed to reduce the target amount to $150,000 and to extend the deadline to November 1888. With a final push in mid-1888, $150,000 in commitments was raised and the funds collected that fall, just in time to meet the deadline and have the $100,000 held in trust at Central Trust Company of New York released to N-YHS. A few years later, the donor was identified as Mrs. Robert L. Stuart.
With these funds in hand, N-YHS began seeking a new site. In early 1891, N-YHS acquired much of its current site--ten city lots on Central Park West (8th Avenue) between West 77th and West 76th streets. But the purchase price of $186,500 left N-YHS with insufficient funds for construction. A Committee of Fifteen was formed in November 1891 to issue an appeal for construction funds of $1 million. By 1893 the funds had not been committed and, with the onset of the Panic of 1893, the subscription effort was ended. Consequently, the Central Park West site remained vacant and N-YHS remained in the 2nd Avenue quarters through the 1890s.
A renewed, and ultimately fruitful, fundraising initiative began in March 1901, led by N-YHS President Eugene A. Hoffman. In order to increase the likelihood of success, the initiative focused on raising funds to construct just a portion of the desired building. This would become known as the "central portion," with north and south wings to be funded and built at a future time. In the summer of 1901, with fundraising just beginning, the Committee called for design proposals from architects. The firm of York & Sawyer was selected, and their renderings and floor plans were featured in the fundraising appeals by early 1902. In December 1901, York & Sawyer was authorized to begin developing full working drawings. In June 1902, Eugene Hoffman died. In January 1903, his position as N-YHS President and as leader of the building initiative was filled by his son, Samuel V. Hoffman.
By October 1902 only about $165,000 had been raised by the Building Committee, well short of its $300,000 target for the central portion. Nonetheless, the Committee decided to move forward with construction, anticipating that progress would spur additional contributions, as well as out of a wish to be able to occupy the new building by N-YHS's 100th anniversary in November 1904. The possibility of cutting back the scope (and cost) of work was also considered when estimates were requested of contractors. Ground was broken at the site in September 1902, and excavation work and the laying of the foundation was done by John F. O'Rourke. In November 1903, the cornerstone was laid.
Significant funding was still needed so in late 1903, Librarian Robert H. Kelby suggested to Samuel Hoffman that he might approach long time N-YHS member Henry Dexter to ask him to consider a sizable donation in memory of his son, Orrando Perry Dexter. Orrando had been murdered in September 1903 at his estate in the Adirondacks. Dexter proved to be agreeable to this, although with various stipulations that had to be negotiated, including the type and source of the granite to be used. By November 1904, a formal agreement with Dexter was in place, and he deposited $150,000 in trust at the Van Norden Trust Company. As construction progressed, funds were transferred from the trust account into N-YHS's Building Fund to pay the bills presented by the general contractor, Andrew J. Robinson Company. Dexter would later agree to additional donations, eventually totaling about $250,000. The Building Committee turned its principal focus from raising funds to expending them, renaming itself the Trustees of the Building Fund.
Dexter's donations ensured that the central portion of N-YHS's building would be completed. It opened to the public in December 1908, and final work in the galleries was completed by mid-1909. It was a happy conclusion to a project that, over the course of a decade, had been fraught with disputes and ill feelings: between York & Sawyer and the Building Committee over changes in plans and billings; between Dexter and Samuel Hoffman over perceived delays in construction and personal slights; and between Building Committee members, especially between Hoffman and N-YHS Recording Secretary and Committee Secretary Sydney Carney, who would resign from his active role.
Still, the building was understood to be incomplete, particularly in terms of the desirability of adding north and south wings to it. Short of major expansion, renovations of the book stacks and other aspects of the library were conducted in the 1910s. Steps toward expanding the building were taken in the 1920s as property on both West 77th and West 76th streets were purchased. York & Sawyer submitted plans in 1925. But no construction was undertaken until the late 1930s. The triggering event was the death in April 1935 of Mary Gardiner Thompson. The death of Thompson, the last of three siblings, resulted eventually in the release of a bequest of about $4 million to N-YHS. N-YHS, then under the leadership of President John A. Weekes and Librarian (Director, after 1937) Alexander J. Wall, decided to use part of the bequest to expand the building.
Although York & Sawyer, architects of the central portion, presented a design in 1936 (updated and revised from their 1925 proposal), N-YHS did not select them for the expansion. Instead the firm of Walker & Gillette was chosen. Perhaps because adequate funds were in hand, experienced leaders headed the organization, and a more efficient governance structure was in place, the construction project seems to have gone much more smoothly than the project of 1902-1909.
At a special meeting of N-YHS in June 1936, authorization was granted to proceed with the project. The building closed for construction in May 1937, the adjoining buildings purchased in the 1920s and 1930s for this moment were demolished, construction was completed in 1938, and the new building was officially reopened to the public in April 1939. In addition to the long envisioned north and south wings, the project also included fifteen floors of new book stacks by Snead & Company of Jersey City at the rear of the central portion, as well as other renovations in the original building. Turner Construction Company was the general contractor for the job. Garrett H. Winter was hired, at N-YHS's insistence, by Walker & Gillette as Clerk of the Works to inspect the work. (Winter would later be hired by N-YHS as its Superintendent of Buildings, a position he held until about 1960.) One notable aspect of the project was the desire to include state of the art museum lighting techniques in the building; the resulting skylights were drafted and installed by J. J. Fisher Company of Brooklyn.
Although the N-YHS building was now completed, new possibilities continued to present themselves. Some properties acquired by N-YHS on West 76th Street had not been used in the 1937-1938 expansion and so were employed as a garden. In the mid-1940s, the possibility of expanding the N-YHS building into this section to create an Education Building was considered. Architect Philip N. Youtz drew up preliminary plans, but the project was not pursued. In any case, although renovations would continue into the twenty-first century, by the close of the 1930s, N-YHS had established the fundamental footprint and structure of its current Central Park West building.
(Principal sources for the above were R.W.G. Vail's Knickerbocker Birthday and the records themselves.)
Arrangement Note
The New-York Historical Society original building planning and construction records are organized in 4 series:
Series I. 2nd Avenue Building
Series II. Proposed Central Park Building
SerIes III. Central Park West Construction: Central Portion
Series IV. Central Park West Construction: Expansion
Scope and Contents Note
The New-York Historical Society original buildings planning & construction records include material concerning construction of the two buildings by N-YHS that served as N-YHS's home from 1857-1908 (2nd Avenue and 11th Street) and from 1908 to the present (Central Park West, between West 76th and 77th streets). For the Central Park West site, the record group includes both the construction of the building's central portion in the first decade of the twentieth century and the major expansion of the late 1930s. The record group also includes a rich set of correspondence, N-YHS committee meeting minutes, and other documents related to N-YHS's unsuccessful attempt in the 1860s-1870s to establish in Central Park a Museum of Antiquities, Science, and Art.
The record group includes substantial documentation related to the planning and administration of the construction projects, including minute books of the planning and oversight committees; correspondence of N-YHS, the architects, the construction contractors, subcontractors, and others; work specifications; and construction progress reports and details. The Central Park West construction projects are documented to a far greater extent than that of the 1850s 2nd Avenue construction, yet that project also holds substantial material.
All the projects hold rich material on the financial aspects of the project, especially in terms of the costs incurred for labor and material. The Central Park West projects include all the supporting documents submitted for payment by the general contractors, Andrew J. Robinson in the early 1900s and Turner Construction Company in the 1930s, and others. The record group includes the printed appeals, subscription books, and other documents related to the fundraising efforts for the 2nd Avenue building and acquisition of the Central Park West site and the construction of the central portion. The record group also holds substantial documentation concerning Henry Dexter's vital donation and subsequent involvement in support of the Central Park West construction. The title abstracts, title searches, and deeds for the ten lots on Central Park West purchased by N-YHS in 1891 are in the record group.
The record group holds well over 1200 blueprints and other formats of architectural and other plans. The bulk of these by far relate to the 1937-1938 Central Park West expansion, many of which are multiple versions of particular plans drawn by architects Walker & Gillette and the subcontractors on the project. Nonetheless, there are also many 1904-1908 plans drawn by architects York & Sawyer for the central portion of the N-YHS building. There are only a few plans for the 2nd Avenue project, though none that appear attributable to the architects Mettam & Burke. At least some, and perhaps all, of the 2nd Avenue plans in the record group were proposals by architects George B. Carstesen & C.H. Gildemeister. The record group also holds a small number of plans from the 1940s, including an unrealized plan for a further expansion of the Central Park West building to create an Education Building.
Aside from textual documents and architectural plans, the record group includes a small number of photographs of the 1937-1938 construction work and of the cornerstone laying ceremony at Central Park West in 1904. There are also some artifacts (e.g., ribbons, pins) from that ceremony.
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Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite or, in the case of the architectural drawings, require special arrangements to access. For more information on making arrangements to consult the collection, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation Note
This record group should be cited as New-York Historical Society original buildings planning & construction records (NYHS-RG 3), The New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
About this Guide
Processing Information Note
This record group was processed by project archivist Larry Weimer in April-August 2015. In preparation for their foldering and description by Weimer, hundreds of blueprints received conservation treatment, especially humidification and flattening, by N-YHS conservator Alan Balicki.
Sponsor Note
Repository
Series I. 2nd Avenue Building, 1848-1860, 1906-1912
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The 2nd Avenue Building series includes documents concerning N-YHS's initiative in the mid-nineteenth century to construct a fireproof building to house and to present its collections. The series includes the minute books for three of the committees involved with the project: the committee to raise funds for the project, the trustees of the Building Fund, and the Building Committee charged by the trustees with responsibility for land acquisition and building design and construction. The series includes the printed specifications for the project, estimates received from contractors for the various aspects of the construction, contracts with some of the contractors, and summaries of the project revenue and expenses. There are several subscription books from both the original drive for funds in the late 1840s-early 1850s, and the drive for additional funds in 1856.
The correspondence includes several letters from the project's architects, Mettam & Burke, as well as from the various craftsmen bidding for work or responding to changes in the project's original specifications. The correspondence also includes a few offers to N-YHS for real estate in 1850-1851, and documents concerning N-YHS's eventual sale of the building in the early twentieth century.
The series holds about 25 architectural drawings, including floor plans, elevations, transverse views, longitudinal views, and others. Some of these are dated as from 1854 and are stamped or signed as the work product of architects (George B.) Carstesen & (C.H.) Gildemeister; these are likely the proposals that were ultimately not accepted by N-YHS. The other drawings in the series are undated and unsigned.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged by format, beginning with minute books and other documents related to the overall activities of the building committees. These are followed by other formats, such as subscription books, that relate to particular aspects of the project. These formats proceed in a rough chronological order.
Access Restrictions
An appointment is required for access to the architectural drawings in this series. Please contact the Print Room at printroom@nyhistory.org.
Processing Information Note
The architectural drawings in this series were formerly included with other architectural plans in Series X of a different record group, the New-York Historical Society pictorial archive (NYHS-RG 5). In May 2015, all of the plans from the 1940s and earlier from NYHS-RG 5 were transferred into this record group, NYHS-RG 3. Plans related to the 2nd Avenue building were placed in this series.
Minutes. Building Committee and Committee on Subscriptions to the Building Fund, 1848-1857
Scope and Contents Note
The book includes the minutes for Building Committee meetings from February 22, 1848, to December 9, 1851, and the minutes for the Committee on Subscriptions to the Building Fund meetings from January 26, 1852, to its final meeting on February 2, 1857, with its final report of February 3, 1857, written by Chairman Luther Bradish. Loose sheets found in the book were separated to the following folder.
Loose Documents Removed from Minutes, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two sheets, including a list of individuals associated with an unnamed committee.
Minutes. Committee, or Trustees, of the Building Fund., 1848-1855
Scope and Contents Note
The minutes book includes a copy of the appeal of October 30, 1848, for funds for a fireproof building, with the trustees' meeting minutes from January 29, 1850, to June 2, 1855. Loose sheets found in the book were separated to the following folder.
Loose Documents Removed from Minutes, 1855-1857
Scope and Contents Note
Includes lists of trustees, trustee donations, a copy of the 1856 appeal for building donations, draft minutes of the January 31, 1855, meeting, and some Building Fund financial records (1855-57).
Minutes. Building Committee, 1850, 1853-1857
Scope and Contents Note
The minutes book includes an opening note recounting the authorization of the committee from its creation on January 29, 1850, to the beginning of its minutes in this book on December 9, 1853. The note states that proceedings for pre-1853 meetings are recorded in the reports of the committee found in the minutes book of the Trustees of the Building Fund (see above). The minutes end on May 9, 1857, though later dated loose sheets found in the book were separated to the following folder.
Loose Documents Removed from Minutes, 1857
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notes from committee meetings held in May and June 1857, and a letter from Andrew Warner to B.R. Winthrop of September 29, 1857, commenting on the construction and financial matters.
Committee Reports, Drafts, Notes (1 of 4), 1850-1854, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two reports from 1850 regarding the effort to raise subscriptions for the proposed building and one report from 1850 regarding N-YHS and the New York Society Library's consideration of jointly purchasing and occupying a site, with the results of their review of available properties. Includes notes and correspondence (1853-1854) concerning meetings of the Buildings Committee and negotiations with neighboring Tabernacle Baptist Church for acquisition of a strip of land. Includes miscellaneous subscription materials (circa 1854).
Committee Reports, Drafts, Notes (2 of 4), 1855-1858, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes notes or draft minutes of building trustee meetings, with financial data and reports from the trustees' Buildings Committee.
Committee Reports, Drafts, Notes (3 of 4), 1853, 1860, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes draft reports of the Buildings Committee and the Subscription Committee; Luther Bradish's remarks at the dedication of the building; an admission ticket to the dedication; financial and other notes, at least some of which were supplied to Bradish by Librarian George Moore; and an agreement for mason work on 4th Avenue to which N-YHS was not a party (this is possibly a form of agreement referenced by Bradish).
Committee Reports, Drafts, Notes (4 of 4), undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one oversize pencil drawing on tracing paper of a building. The drawing is undated and unattributed and was found with the Building Committee reports. It does not appear to be the N-YHS building as built.
Subscription Books (4), circa 1848
Subscription Book (1), 1850-1851
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one booklet and loose sheets (correspondence and a subscriber list) from the booklet.
Subscription Books (2), 1856-1857
Scope and Contents Note
Appears to be two summary lists of subscribers from 1848-1854.
Subscription Books (5) (1 of 2), 1856-1857
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include booklets recording subscriptions for the 1856 appeal to complete the building, especially the galleries for art.
Subscription Books (1) (2 of 2), 1856-1857
Building Fund Lecture Admission Ticket, 1852-1853
Offers of Property, 1850-1851, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Offers from Francis B. Cutting (Lafayette Place), Samuel B. Ruggles (4th Ave between 17th and 18th), and Edward Ludlow (5th Ave between 17th and 18th).
Architectural Drawings (1 of 2), 1854, undated
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include presentation drawings for the 2nd Avenue building, including floor plans, elevations, interior and exterior views, and longitudinal and transverse views. Several of the drawings are signed or stamped as created by Carstensen & Gildemeister. An appointment is required for access to these architectural drawings. Please contact the Print Room at printroom@nyhistory.org.
Architectural Drawings (2 of 2), 1854, undated
Specifications, 1855
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the printed specifications from architects Mettam & Burke for: carpenter's work, iron work, marble work, mason's work, and stone work. The folder also includes the mason and carpenter specifications for the New York Society Library to be built in University Place.
Correspondence (1 of 3), 1854-1857
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next two include correspondence with estimates from contractors, a progress report (December 1856) and other correspondence from architects Mettam & Burke, and other documents related to work on the building.
Correspondence (2 of 3), 1855-1857
Correspondence (3 of 3), 1855-1857
Contracts (1 of 2), 1855-1856
Scope and Contents Note
Includes contracts with J.B. and W.W. Cornell (iron work) and Masterton, Smith, and Sinclair (stonecutting).
Contracts (2 of 2), 1855-1856
Scope and Contents Note
Includes contracts with Benjamin F. Camp (mason work and coal vault) and draft contract with John Galier (carpenter).
Financial (1 of 2), 1857
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next hold records related to the costs of the building project. This first folder holds records concerning the history of payments over the course of the project and notes on contracted payments, extras, and other financial matters. The next folder holds some bills and some miscellaneous notes about subscriptions.
Financial (2 of 2), 1856-1858
Designs for Lamps, Undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six undated and unattributed designs for what appear to be table top reading lamps. It is believed that these designs relate to N-YHS's 2nd Avenue building, though there is no clear basis for that. A notation with the drawings indicates that they were a gift of Phyllis Lucas of the Old Print Gallery in 1976.
Offers for 2nd Avenue Building, 1906-1907
Sale of 2nd Avenue Building, 1911-1912
Series II. Proposed Central Park Building, 1860-1876
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The series includes a rich set of material documenting N-YHS's eventually unsuccessful attempt to establish a Museum of Antiquities, Science, and Art on the site of the Arsenal in Central Park. The series includes the minutes of the Building Committee formed in 1863 to pursue the Central Park initiative. The minutes, which run until January 1867, have introductory entries transcribing earlier related documents, beginning August 14, 1860. Other documents include correspondence between N-YHS committee members, such as Luther Bradish, George Moore, and Charles Kirkland, and between N-YHS and the Board of Commissioners of Central Park, including Comptroller Andrew H. Green. There is one letter each from Frederick Law Olmsted and J.J. Jarves. Other documents include N-YHS resolutions, committee reports, copies of N-YHS's memorials to the New York State legislature, the 1862 legislative bill authorizing the Commissioners to set apart the Arsenal for N-YHS, and others. There are various summaries of the progress of events over the years, some in draft form, including an 1876 summary written by Edward de Lancey. The series includes one oversize 1865 advertisement for real estate and stock auctioneers Adrian H. Muller, P.R. Wilkins & Co.; the advertisement is in the form of a pictorial map of Central Park with surrounding lots.
Arrangement Note
The series opens with the minutes of the Building Committee (1863-67). The remainder of the series is arranged in rough chronological order. Some documents, though out of strict chronological order, were kept together as found because they were all supporting documents used at particular N-YHS or Executive Committee meetings; these are in order of meeting date. Also, documents were kept together regardless of sequence when it appeared they had been originally filed together.
Minutes of the Building Committee, 1863 June 9-1867 January 25
Central Park Matter, 1860-1862
Central Park Matter, 1862-1863
Central Park Matter, 1863-1864
Central Park Matter, 1865
Central Park Matter (1 of 2), 1863-1866
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a October 22, 1864, letter from J.J. Jarves to Frederic De Peyster regarding the size of various major European museums. The folder includes a portion of the original envelope that held some of these documents; an annotation on that envelope indicates that the documents were presented to N-YHS by Gen. J. Watts DePeyster on Dec. 17, 1907.
Central Park Matter (2 of 2), 1865
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one oversize 1865 advertisement removed from the above folder. The ad is for real estate and stock auctioneers Adrian H. Muller, P.R. Wilkins & Co. and is in the form of a pictorial map of Central Park with surrounding lots.
Central Park Matter, 1865-1866
Central Park Matter, 1866-1867
Central Park Matter, 1868
Central Park Matter, 1871-1872
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a letter of October 3, 1872, from Frederick Law Olmsted to R. Martin proposing a meeting to discuss the N-YHS matter.
Central Park Matter, 1876
Central Park Matter, undated
Series III. Central Park West Construction: Central Portion, 1880-1918
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The series includes a wide range of materials documenting N-YHS's acquisition in 1891 of its current Central Park West site and the construction in the first decade of the twentieth century of the central portion of the building. These documents include financial records, such as the various appeals over decades for funds, subscription books, Building Fund checkbooks and cancelled checks, and contractor invoices and other payments made from the Fund. These financial records also include the arrangements made with Henry Dexter in connection with his donations in support of the construction project. The 1891 purchase of the Central Park West property is documented primarily by the title abstracts, the related official title searches, and the deeds to the purchased lots as compiled and bound by N-YHS's attorney, Weekes Brothers.
There is also much other material related to the design and construction of the building, in addition to that found in the financial records. These include minutes and correspondence of the N-YHS committees and officers leading the project, correspondence with architects York & Sawyer and others, architectural and other drawings, contracts, and bids and estimates. The bulk of the drawings are by York & Sawyer; others are by civil engineer Peter E. Nostrand and the Library Bureau (library and museum furniture). A small number of post-construction plans, from the 1910s, by the Library Bureau and by the firms of Nygren, Tenney & Ohmes (heating & ventilating) and Snead & Co. (ironwork) are included in the series.
There is material related to the cornerstone ceremony of November 1903, including artifacts such as pins and ribbons, a small album of photographs, York & Sawyer's plan for the grandstand, and related correspondence.
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged roughly by format and subject matter. The series opens with the earliest material, the subscription books and appeals of the late 1800s, leading to materials related to the purchase of the Central Park West property in 1891. The series then continues with financial matters related to the development of the Building Fund in the early 1900s, banking records of the Fund, and the expenditures from the Fund for construction and other property-related purposes through 1909. The series then presents the minutes and other general documentation related to the Building Committee, the Trustees of the New Building, and Henry Dexter's donation and involvement with the project. The series closes with materials related to York & Sawyer and other contractor and construction matters, including architectural and other drawings.
Most of the drawings in the series are standalone documents, no longer directly connected with any underlying contextual material (e.g., transmittal letters) that might have accompanied them originally; any oversize drawings found with such context are referred to at that point in the container list, though the oversize drawing itself was flattened and moved to an appropriate container.
Access Restrictions
An appointment is required for access to the architectural drawings in this series. Please contact the Print Room at printroom@nyhistory.org.
Processing Information Note
Most of the plans in this series were formerly included with other architectural plans in Series X of a different record group, the New-York Historical Society pictorial archive (NYHS-RG 5). In May 2015, all of the plans from the 1940s and earlier were transferred from NYHS-RG 5 were transferred into this record group, NYHS-RG 3. Plans related to the construction of the Central Park West central portion were placed in this series.
Subscription Books (2), 1880-1881
Subscription Books (3), 1885-1886
Scope and Contents Note
One of the three booklets appears to have been used to keep the meeting minutes, or at least some form of the minutes, for the Committee on Subscriptions for a New Building from May 12, 1885, to January 23, 1886.
Subscription Books (6), 1887-1888
Subscription Book (1), 1886-1891
Scope and Contents Note
The folder includes loose notes and correspondence related to subscriptions found in the booklet.
Subscription Lists, 1885-1891
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the 1885 appeal and responses, and includes lists of subscribers with entries to 1891.
Subscription Appeal and Responses (1 of 6), 1888
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various printed appeals for subscriptions and payment.
Subscription Appeal and Responses (2 of 6), 1888 May-June
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include the commitments received in response to the 1888 appeal for subscriptions.
Subscription Appeal and Responses (3 of 6), 1888 May-June
Subscription Appeal and Responses (4 of 6), 1888
Scope and Contents Note
Includes lists of subscribers.
Subscription Appeal and Responses (5 of 6), 1888 October-November
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include the responses to the appeal for payment of the committed subscriptions.
Subscription Appeal and Responses (6 of 6), 1888 November-December
Committee on Subscriptions (1 of 2). Minutes, 1885-1888
Committee on Subscriptions (2 of 2). Correspondence, 1886-1888
Certifications, 1888 November 28
Scope and Contents Note
Includes duplicates of two certifications made by the president and treasurer of N-YHS in connection with the Building Fund: that sufficient subscriptions were raised to satisfy the conditions of an 1885 trust deed made to the Central Trust Company of New York, and that N-YHS received from Central Trust the proceeds of the trust.
Property & Construction Offers (1 of 3), 1881, 1885, 1888
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence from real estate agents, contractors, and others related to N-YHS's interest in acquiring property during this period.
Property & Construction Offers (2 of 3), 1889
Property & Construction Offers (3 of 3), 1890-1891, undated
Committee Recommendation for Purchase of the Central Park West Site, 1891
Correspondence Concerning Closings, 1891
Abstract of the Title of N-YHS to Ten Lots of Land in the City of New York, 1891 August 19
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the abstract of title and the related official title searches for the Central Park West property prepared and bound by N-YHS's attorneys, Weekes Brothers. Included in the bound documents are the deeds/indentures conveying the purchased lots to N-YHS. Also included is the attorneys' memorandum of charges and disbursements in the matter.
Abstract of the Title of N-YHS to Ten Lots of Land in the City of New York (photocopy), 1891 August 19
Scope and Contents Note
This is a modern photocopy of the original document, except that the attorney's cover letter is not included.
Declaration of Uses of Property, Recorded with New York County, 1891 December 6
Clark Estate Property Matter, 1901-1902
Easement on West 76th Street Lot, 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one letter from Oscar Straus to N-YHS concerning an easement granted to N-YHS in 1891.
Property Tax Remission Matter (1 of 2), 1903
Property Tax Remission Matter (2 of 2), 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of "Notice of sale of lands and tenements within that part of the City of New York known as the borough of Manhattan, for unpaid taxes for the years 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1897, also for unpaid Croton water rents for the years... : The Aldermanic Chamber in the City Hall, Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, on Wednesday, September 2, 1903, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon / William E. McFaddin, collector of assessments and arrears of the City of New York. New York, 1903." The reference to N-YHS's unpaid amounts is found on page 29.
Committee of Fifteen, 1891-1893
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence, lists, and the 1892 appeal for $1 million to construct a new building on the Central Park West site.
Circulars and Appeals for Funds for New Building Construction, 1901-1902
Building Fund Subscription Committee Minutes, 1901-1903
Building Fund Subscription Appeal Responses, 1901-1905
Building Fund Bank Books and Cancelled Checks (1 of 2), 1891-1909
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next includes the passbooks, check books with stubs, and the returned checks, numbered 1-139, for expenses paid out of the Building Fund held at Central Trust Co. of New York. The stubs include descriptive transaction information. The folder also includes a booklet summarizing subscriptions into the Fund and expenses paid out through 1902. See the following set of folders for the invoices, etc. supporting the payments.
Building Fund Bank Books and Cancelled Checks (2 of 2), 1891-1909
Building Fund Expenditures (1 of 8). Payments #13-52, 1894-1904
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next seven include the invoices and other supporting documents for payments from the Building Fund. The documents are in sequence of payments made as noted on the reverse of the documents; the sequence number corresponds with the cancelled check number from the Central Trust account (see above folders). Some payments have multiple supporting documents; the payment number is generally noted on only one of the sheets. There are no documents for payments 1-12 and 138-139; see the checkstubs and cancelled checks for those transactions.
Building Fund Expenditures (2 of 8). Payments #53-58, 1905
Building Fund Expenditures (3 of 8). Payments #59-64, 1905
Building Fund Expenditures (4 of 8). Payments #65-70, 1906
Building Fund Expenditures (5 of 8). Payments #71-74, 1906
Building Fund Expenditures (6 of 8). Payments #75-82, 1906
Building Fund Expenditures (7 of 8). Payments #83-120, 1907-1908
Building Fund Expenditures (8 of 8). Payments #121-137, 1908-1909
Other Expenditures, 1894, 1900, 1908
Scope and Contents Note
Includes building-related expenses not paid from the Building Fund.
Building Committee Minutes and Trustees of the New Building Minutes, 1901 June 5-1907 October 15
Building Committee. General (1 of 2), 1901-1903
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next includes drafts of minutes, notes and correspondence, including correspondence concerning York & Sawyer.
Building Committee. General (2 of 2), 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence between Committee Secretary Sydney Carney and Committee Chair Samuel Hoffman; see also NYHS-RG 1, Series IV. Official Papers for other documents concerning the Carney and Hoffman exchange.
Trustees of the New Building. General (1 of 3), 1904-1905
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next two includes drafts of minutes, notes and correspondence.
Trustees of the New Building. General (2 of 3), 1906
Trustees of the New Building. General (3 of 3), 1907-1908
Letterpress Book, 1904, 1906
Scope and Contents Note
This is a letterpress book started by Clarence Storm in 1904 for the Building Committee, when he became secretary of that committee. It includes only 3 outgoing letters bound in the book (all to York & Sawyer), and two others loose at the front of the book.
Howells & Stokes. Competitive Design for the N-YHS's Building, 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the design proposed by architects Howells & Stokes as published in American Architect and Architecture Vol. 84, June 4, 1904. This published plate appears to have been purchased by N-YHS for the Print Room collection. The number 2011.9 is noted on the back. It was moved to the institutional archive in 2016.
Henry Dexter Donation (1 of 8), 1904-1908
Henry Dexter Donation (2 of 8), 1905-1908
Henry Dexter Donation (3 of 8), 1905-1906
Henry Dexter Donation (4 of 8), 1906-1907
Henry Dexter Donation (5 of 8), 1908
Henry Dexter Donation (6 of 8), 1906?
Henry Dexter Donation (7 of 8). Van Norden Trust Co. Account Books and Cancelled Checks, 1905-1906, 1908
Scope and Contents Note
Also includes the financial report for Van Norden Trust Company as of January 1, 1908.
Henry Dexter Donation (8 of 8). Second National Bank Account Books and Cancelled Checks, 1906
York & Sawyer Matters (1 of 12), 1901-1902
York & Sawyer Matters (2 of 12), 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes specifications for the work, dated November 19, 1903. Oversize blueprint of retaining wall, enclosed by York & Sawyer with their letter of February 19, 1903, was removed to an oversize container; see folder 12 of 12 below.
York & Sawyer Matters (3 of 12), 1904 January-September
Scope and Contents Note
A former label indicating that some of the documents in this series were from the Hoffman papers, received April 1943, is in this folder.
York & Sawyer Matters (4 of 12), 1904 October 1
Scope and Contents Note
Includes specifications as of October 1, 1904.
York & Sawyer Matters (5 of 12), 1904 October-December
York & Sawyer Matters (6 of 12), 1905 January-March
York & Sawyer Matters (7 of 12), 1905 April-December
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an addenda to the specifications, dated July 27, 1905.
York & Sawyer Matters (8 of 12), 1906 January-May
York & Sawyer Matters (9 of 12), 1906 June-December
York & Sawyer Matters (10 of 12), 1907
York & Sawyer Matters (11 of 12), 1908, 1910
York & Sawyer Matters (12 of 12), [1903]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes oversize material removed from above folder 2 of 12: blueprint of retaining wall on rear property.
York & Sawyer. Weekly Reports of Work Done at Site, 1904 December-1907 February
Contractor Bids, Circulars, and Offers (1 of 3), 1901-1902
Contractor Bids, Circulars, and Offers (2 of 3), 1903-1904
Contractor Bids, Circulars, and Offers (3 of 3), 1905-1909
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Morgan & Brothers bid for moving collections from the 2nd Avenue site to Central Park West.
John F. O'Rourke Contract and Correspondence, 1902-1903
Heating Plant System, 1902, 1905, 1907
Library Bureau Contract and Correspondence (1 of 2), 1906, 1908
Scope and Contents Note
Blueprints were removed to an oversize container; see the next folder.
Library Bureau Contract and Correspondence (2 of 2), 1909-1910
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 5 oversize blueprints of museum cases from the Library Bureau.
Contracts and Other Project Records (1 of 9), 1904-1906
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include signed contracts and correspondence, bids, and records of payments to various contractors. The Andrew J. Robinson Company and its sub-contractors are well-represented here. There is also some correspondence with York & Sawyer. Several documents relate to the arrangements agreed upon between N-YHS and Henry Dexter. The contents of the folders appear to have come entirely or in substantial part from the papers of Samuel V. Hoffman.
Contracts and Other Project Records (2 of 9), 1903-1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a signed contract, and drafts, with the Andrew J. Robinson Co.
Contracts and Other Project Records (3 of 9), 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes contract between the Andrew J. Robinson Co. and the American Bonding Co.
Contracts and Other Project Records (4 of 9), 1905
Scope and Contents Note
Includes signed contracts with the Andrew J. Robinson Co.
Contracts and Other Project Records (5 of 9), 1905
Scope and Contents Note
Includes contracts between Andrew J. Robinson Co. and its sub-contractors: Baker, Smith & Co (heating & ventilating), J.B. & J.M. Cornell Co. (iron work), McWilliam Brothers (granite setting), Peet, McAnerney & Powers (electric), and R. Guastavino Co. (tile arches).
Contracts and Other Project Records (6 of 9), 1906, 1908-1909
Scope and Contents Note
Includes contracts of 1906 between Andrew J. Robinson Co. and its sub-contractors: James Morrison, Jr. (plastering), Library Bureau (book stacks, lift and elevator), P. & F. Corbin (hardware), Ronald Taylor (concrete), Traitel Marble Co. (marble work for main staircase), and Voightmann & Co (copper windows). Includes the contract of 1908 between Robinson Co and Henry Dexter for completion of the Museum Room.
Contracts and Other Project Records (7 of 9), 1904-1907
Contracts and Other Project Records (8 of 9), 1902, 1904-1905
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next primarily includes correspondence between the Andrew J. Robinson Company and Samuel V. Hoffman.
Contracts and Other Project Records (9 of 9), 1906-1908
Utilities Certifications, 1907, 1909
Scope and Contents Note
Includes certifications from the New York Board of Fire Underwriters and the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity.
Cornerstone Ceremony (1 of 3), 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the announcement to newspaper editors of the event; sample invitations, including one directed to Daniel Parish, Jr.; a photograph album of the event with six images; a list of objects in the cornerstone (fragmented); and correspondence, principally with York & Sawyer concerning arrangements.
Cornerstone Ceremony (2 of 3), 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one oversize blueprint of the grandstand for the ceremony and a plan showing the location of the cornerstone, both from York & Sawyer.
Cornerstone Ceremony (3 of 3), 1903
Scope and Contents Note
Includes artifacts related to the event including ribbons, pins, and other items.
Civil Engineer Surveys, 1901-1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four drawings (whiteprints) of surveys of the Central Park West site conducted by civil engineer and city surveyor Peter E. Nostrand. The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three drawings (whiteprints): transverse (#5), Central Park West elevation (#6), and 77th Street elevation (#8). The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 17 drawings (whiteprints) concerning floor plans, foundation, framing, and others: drawings #1, #2, #3, #4, #7 (rear elevation), #10, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22 (retaining wall at rear property line), #23, and #24. The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1902
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three reproductions of plans related to foundation piers and beams: drawings #15, 16, and 17. The plans were stamped by the New York City Bureau of Buildings as received on November 3, 1902. The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1903-1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes several conserved, rolled linens. The documents were not unrolled during processing so the specific plans included are undescribed.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two drawings (blueprints): framing plan of 1st floor (#46) and framing plan of 2nd floor (#47). The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one drawing (blueprint) of transverse section, drawing #30. The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1904
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one drawing (blueprint) of the roof plan. Title box partially missing; plan number unknown. The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, [1904]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three drawings (blueprints): framing plan of 3rd floor (#missing; dated June 3), framing plan of roof (#missing; dated June 3); and 77th Street elevation (number missing; date missing). The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1904-1905
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two drawings (whiteprints): section through entrance (#60, 1904) and plumbing section (#102, 1905).
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1904-1905, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three drawings (whiteprints): front elevation (#51, rev, 1904), library stack room (#130; 1905), and granite work (#58, undated).
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1904, 1906
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five drawings (blueprints): #51 (front elevation), #52 (section of entrance, 2 copies), #54 (granite), and #201 (main stairway, 1906).
York & Sawyer Drawings, [1904]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a watercolor (?) of the proposed Central Park West building, signed by York & Sawyer, and a black and white reproduction of the original.
York & Sawyer Drawings, 1907
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 13 drawings (blueprints) concerning library: drawings #239, #251, #252 (stairs), #254, #255, #256, #257, #258, #259 (rev), #260, #265, #273, and #274.
[York & Sawyer] Drawings, 1907
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one drawing (blueprint) of cross-section of north and south end (#269). The contents were photographed in June 2019 and the digital files are available; a list of the filenames and digital image numbers are in the folder.
{York & Sawyer?] Drawing, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one drawing of the floor design for the 77th Street entrance.
Library Bureau Drawings, 1906
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight drawings (blueprints) of the book stack room, book lift and steel shelving. With the possible exception of one drawing, all appear to be from the Library Bureau, though not all are identified as such.
Library Bureau Drawings, 1908
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 23 drawings (blueprints) of library cases, chairs, desk, and other furniture, and of the library floor plan.
Nygren, Tenney & Ohmes Drawings (1 of 2), 1915
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a specification report and three associated plans from consulting engineers for additions and alterations to the ventilating apparatus for the N-YHS auditorium and library.
Nygren, Tenney & Ohmes Drawings (2 of 2), 1915
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three linens with plans for the ventilating work.
Snead & Co. Iron Works and Library Bureau Drawings, 1917-1918, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six drawings (blueprints) of details of exhibition and museum cases by Snead & Co. There is also one undated drawing, possibly from Snead, of a cast iron leg. Also includes two drawings (blueprints) by Library Bureau of manuscript cases (1918) and the stack layout (undated).
Series IV. Central Park West Construction: Expansion, 1925-1946
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The series includes documents concerning the expansion of the Central Park West building in 1937-1938. This expansion primarily involved the addition of wings to the north and south sides and a fifteen floor book stack to the rear of the existing building. The series includes well over 1200 blueprints and other formats of plans created by architects Walker & GIllette, construction contractor Turner Construction Company, and various subcontractors for the project, though many of the plans are represented with multiple copies or revised versions. The series also includes construction specifications, progress reports, meeting summaries, correspondence among the principals, contracts, detailed supporting documentation from Turner Construction and their sub-contractors for work done and materials used, and payment records related to the support documentation. There are a small number of photographs of the construction site.
In addition to the 1937-1938 records, the series includes a small number of documents from the 1920s. These include York & Sawyer's 1925 proposed expansion plans, related correspondence, documents related to the 1925 acquisition of property from Sarah Straus on West 76th Street, and a certified copy of a 1926 deed conveying property on West 77th Street from John A. and Elsa A. Weekes to N-YHS. There are also a small number of plans dating from the 1940s, shortly after the 1937-1938 expansion, including preliminary plans drawn by architect Philip N. Youtz in 1945-1946 for a further expansion of the building to encompass an Education Building.
Arrangement Note
The series is organized in four subseries:
A. General Project Documents
B. Construction Management Documents
C. Plans and Drawings
D. Post-Construction Plans
Subseries IV.A. General Project Documents, 1925-1926, 1935-1939
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The General Project Documents subseries includes files that appear, for the most part, to have been maintained by N-YHS Director Alexander J. Wall during the construction. The subseries includes minutes and general correspondence of the Building Committee overseeing the project, architect Walker & Gillette's summaries of the regular construction status meetings they led, and correspondence with Walker & Gillette, general contractor Turner Construction Company, and other architects and contractors bidding for work. Among the architects bidding for the work, but not winning, was York & Sawyer, the architectural firm that had designed the central portion of the Central Park West building and that had offered designs for an expansion in the 1920s and in 1935; the subseries holds correspondence with that firm. The subseries holds a set of files concerning the various project sub-contractors and providers of materials; these include copies of the contracts between Turner and the sub-contractors and other documents.
The subseries holds three sets of project specifications. There appears to be substantial overlap in the three sets, but also some differences among them in their level of completeness and the documents they include. One difference appears to be in how the specifications were originally filed, and perhaps whose files the specifications came from. One set, detailed in the container list, is alphabetical by the work to be done. A second set was numbered, though that is also roughly alphabetical. The third set is bound together.
The subseries includes the monthly payment applications made by Turner Construction. These packets include detailed back-up including hours worked and materials used on the job, along with sub-contractor billings. There are also the detailed packing lists used in shipping the collection to offsite storage during the project.
The date range of the subseries begins in 1925-1926. This early date relates to documents concerning property acquisitions along West 76th and 77th streets, from Sarah Straus and John A. Weekes and Elsa A. Weekes, respectively.
Arrangement Note
The subseries is arranged topically. The subseries begins with materials that provide an overview of the project, including Building Committee minutes, general correspondence, and minutes of the regular project meetings led by Walker & Gillette. These files are followed by correspondence of a more specific nature, including that with the architects, Walker & Gillette, and the general contractor, Turner Construction Co. These files are followed by the multiple sets of specifications, the sub-contractor files, Turner's monthly payment applications with supporting documents, and packing lists.
Building Committee Minutes (1 of 2), 1935-1936
Building Committee Minutes (2 of 2), 1937-1938
Building Committee Correspondence, 1935-1939
Scope and Contents Note
Primarily includes copies of Alexander Wall's outgoing correspondence to the Building Committee and its counsel. Includes the recommendation to hire Garrett H. Winter as the project's clerk of the works.
Project Meeting Minutes (1 of 2), 1936-1937
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include the reports prepared by Walker & Gillette of the regular meetings of the project principals. In addition to Walker & Gillette, attendees typically included representatives from N-YHS (usually just Alexander J. Wall, though George Zabriskie or others attended on occasion), Turner Construction, and clerk of the works, Garrett Winter. Some meetings included representatives of particular sub-contractors.
Project Meeting Minutes (2 of 2), 1938
West 76th and 77th Street Property Matters, 1925-1926, 1936-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various documents related to property matters, including easements and conveyances, especially concerning numbers 7 through 13 on West 76th. Includes certified copies of the 1925 indenture for the sale by Sarah Strauss of 5 W. 76th and the 1926 indenture for the sale by John A. Weekes and Elsa A. Weekes of property at West 77th St.
Project Miscellaneous Documents, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various general documents related to the project: project budgets and cost estimates; notes on N-YHS Executive Committee resolutions; and a list of rooms that have buzzers, clocks, telephones, and push-buttons.
Bids of Architects, 1925, 1935-1936
Scope and Contents Note
Primarily includes correspondence with York & Sawyer concerning the possibility of them doing the architectural work for the expansion; this includes photostats of N-YHS's 1925 correspondence concerning the plans drawn at that time by York & Sawyer. Includes John Hill Morgan's resignation from the Executive Committee and N-YHS related to the expansion plans. Includes correspondence with Walker & Gillette offering them the contract.
Bids of Contractors (1 of 2), 1936, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes Turner Construction Company's material concerning their bid for the N-YHS construction. Turner's documents include photographs of buildings they recently constructed: Hotel Lexington (New York), New Jersey Bell Telephone Comany (Newark), Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company (Philadelphia), Girard College Library and Chapel (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania Hospital (Philadelphia), Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company (Philadelphia), The Breakers Hotel (Palm Beach, Fla.), Massachusetts Mutal Life Insurance Company (Springfield), and Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Company (Washington, DC).
Bids of Contractors (2 of 2), 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes proposals from, most substantively, John Lowry, Inc., A.L. Hartridge Company, and The Whitney Company. The folder also includes a summary of some of the bids received.
Correspondence with Walker & Gillette (1 of 3), 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the agreement between N-YHS and Walker & Gillette.
Correspondence with Walker & Gillette (2 of 3), 1937
Correspondence with Walker & Gillette (3 of 3), 1938-1939
Correspondence with Turner Construction Co. (1 of 2), 1936-1937
Correspondence with Turner Construction Co. (2 of 2), 1938-1939
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Turner's "Work Completed in the One Year 1937" which lists and depicts as a "city" all of Turner's projects; the N-YHS building is included in the image.
Correspondence with Gaines, Silvey & Nichols (Insurance), 1936-1938
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Book Stacks, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Bronze Work, Architectural, Miscellaneous Iron, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Carpenter Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Electric Lighting Fixtures, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Electric Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Elevators, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Fireproof Floor, Roof Construction and Cinder Fill & Cement Finish Floors, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Floor Coverings, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Glass & Glazing, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Glass Block, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Granite, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Hardware, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Hollow Metal & Kalamein Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Marble Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Mason Materials, Concrete & Cement Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Metal Lathing & Furring, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Metal Windows, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Mosaic Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Painting, 1937-1938
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Pile Foundation, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Plastering, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Plumbing, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Roofing & Sheet Metal Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Skeleton, 1936
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Structural Steel, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Terrazzo Work, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Tile, 1937
Specifications (Set 1-Alphabetical). Wood Floors, 1937
Specifications (Set 2-Numbered) (1 of 4), 1937
Specifications (Set 2-Numbered) (2 of 4), 1937
Specifications (Set 2-Numbered) (3 of 4), 1936-1938
Specifications (Set 2-Numbered) (4 of 4), 1937-1938
Specifications (Set 3-Complete, Bound), 1936-1938
Sub-Contractors. A.B. See Elevator Co. (Book Stack Elevator), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Achilles Construction Co. (Steel Buildings), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Allen Automatic, Inc. (Slide-up Door), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Anderson Brick & Supply Co. inc (Masonry Materials), 1936
Sub-Contractors. Anti-Hydro Waterproofing Co., 1937
Sub-Contractors. Arnold H. Warmolts (Leather Door Covering), 1938
Sub-Contractors. Baker, Smith & Co., Inc. (Heating & Ventilating), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Bethlehem Steel Co. (Reinforcing Steel), 1937
Sub-Contractors. C.E. Halback & Co. (Bronze Work, Etc.), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Campbell Metal Window Corp. (Steel Windows), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Chapman Metal Products Co. Inc. (Kalamein Work), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Chesebro-Whitman Co. Inc. (Steel Hoist Towers), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Chittenden Lumber Co., 1938
Sub-Contractors. Clarence L. Smith Foundation Corp. (Sheet Piling & Excavation), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Contractors Glass Co. Inc. (Glass & Glazing), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Cornell Iron Works, Inc. (Rolling Shutter Door), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Cranford & Joseph, Inc. (Tile Work), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Del Turco Bros. Inc. (Terrazzo & Mosaic Work), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Edwd. F. Caldwell & Co. Inc. (Lighting Fixtures), 1938
Sub-Contractors. Ernest Capelle (Flag Poles), 1938
Sub-Contractors. Federal Seaboard Terra Cotta Corp., 1937
Sub-Contractors. Ferro Art Co. Inc. (Reading Room Lighting Fixtures), 1938
Sub-Contractors. Formica Insulation Co., 1938
Sub-Contractors. Frank Scolaro Marble Co. Inc. (Interior Marble Work), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. General Bronze Corp., 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. General Builders Supply Corp. (Masonry Materials), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Gunn Decorating Co. Inc. (Painting & Finishing), 1938-1939
Sub-Contractors. Hanley Co. Inc. (Face Brick), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Hohmann & Barnard Inc. (Water Bars), 1937
Sub-Contractors. J.J. Fisher Co. Inc. (Roofing & Sheet Metal Work), 1937-1939
Sub-Contractors. Jacobson & Co. Inc. (Metal Lath, Furring & Plastering), 1938
Sub-Contractors. John A. McCarthy & Co. Inc. (Masonry Materials), 1937
Sub-Contractors. John L. Goss Corp. (Granite & Granite Work), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. M.F.C. Shoring & Foundation Co. Inc. (Sidewalk Bridge), 1937
Sub-Contractors. MacNutt, Watts & Tankard Inc. (Electrical Work), 1937-1939
Sub-Contractors. Materials Delivery Corp. (Masonry Material), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Mosler Safe Co. (Vault Door), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two photographs of Mosler vault #0-1941.
Sub-Contractors. Ostrander & Eshleman Inc. (Finished Hardware), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Pagano Granite Corp. (Granite Sill), 1938
Sub-Contractors. Paramount Window Cleaning Service, 1938
Sub-Contractors. Peelle Co. Inc. (Freight Elevator Doors), 1937
Sub-Contractors. R.E. Carrick & Co. Inc (Concrete Arches, Sidewalk, Fireproofing), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Ricci Studio (Models), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Robert W. Hunt Co. (Concrete Testing), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Snead & Co. (Book Stacks), 1935-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence, specifications, a sketch by Walker & Gillette of the book stack floor plan, blueprint drawing # 30672 by Snead of sample shelves, Snead & Co.'s marketing brochure, photographs of Snead's shelving at Columbia University, University of Utah, and the University of Texas, and two identical photographs of the exterior of the National Archives building (Washington, DC).
Sub-Contractors. Spencer, White & Prentis Inc. (Pipe Pile Foundations), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Sprague & Henwood (Test Boring), 1936
Sub-Contractors. Storm Flooring Co. Inc. (Finished Wood Floors), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Strawbridge & Clothier (Asphalt Tile), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Structural Waterproofing Inc., 1937
Sub-Contractors. Superior Steel Door & Trim Co. Inc. (Hollow Metal Work), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. T.P. McLoughlin Inc. (Plumbing), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Taylor-Fichter Steel Construction Co. Inc. (Structural Steel), 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. Transit Mix Concrete Co. Inc., 1937
Sub-Contractors. United Hoisting Co. Inc. (Erection of Hoist), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Van Brunt Bros. Inc. (Lintels), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Vernon Lumber Corp., 1937
Sub-Contractors. Walsh Wrecking Corp. (Building & Wall Demolitions), 1937
Sub-Contractors. Westinghouse Electric Elevator Co., 1937-1938
Sub-Contractors. William Somerville Inc. (Cabinet Work), 1937-1938
Walker & Gillette Expense Certifications, 1936-1939
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes the certifications to N-YHS from Walker & Gillette, confirming the appropriateness of the payment applications submitted by the construction contractors. The support documentation for certificate #1, payable to George Hollerith, is in the Walker & Gillette correspondence folder above. The support documentation for certificate #26, payable to Edwd. F. Caldwell & Co., is in the folder above under that sub-contractor's name. All other certificates, through #27, were payable to Turner Construction; the correspondence, supporting documents, and payment applications from Turner related to each certificate are in the following folders.
Turner Payment Application 1 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 2, 1937 February
Turner Payment Application 2 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 3, 1937 March
Turner Payment Application 3 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 4, 1937 April
Turner Payment Application 4 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 5, 1937 May
Turner Payment Application 5 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 6, 1937 June
Turner Payment Application 6 / Walker & Gillette Certificates 7, 8, and 9, 1937 July
Turner Payment Application 7 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 10, 1937 August
Turner Payment Application 8 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 11, 1937 September
Turner Payment Application 9 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 12, 1937 October
Turner Payment Application 10 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 13, 1937 November
Turner Payment Application 11 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 14, 1937 December
Turner Payment Application 12 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 15, 1938 January
Turner Payment Application 13 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 16, 1938 February
Turner Payment Application 14 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 17, 1938 March
Turner Payment Application 15 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 18, 1938 April
Turner Payment Application 16 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 19, 1938 May
Turner Payment Application 17 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 20 and 21, 1938 June
Turner Payment Application 18 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 22, 1938 July
Turner Payment Application 19 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 23, 1938 August
Turner Payment Application 20 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 24, 1938 September
Turner Payment Application 21 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 25, 1938 October
Turner Payment Application 22 / Walker & Gillette Certificate 27, 1939 February
Packing List. Almanacs, 1937?
Packing List. Annex, 1937?
Packing List. Basement, 1937?
Packing List. Basement House, 1937?
Packing List. Charles Allen Munn Collection, 1937?
Packing List. China & Glass, 1937?
Packing List. Contents of Metal Room - New York Room, 1937?
Packing List. Directories, 1937?
Packing List. 8th & 9th Floor Stacks & Library Floor Heraldry, 1937?
Packing List. Gallery, 1937?
Packing List. Imprint Section, 1937?
Packing List. King Collection, 1937?
Packing List. Manhattan Storage, 1937?
Packing List. Manuscripts, 1937?
Packing List. Miniatures, 1937?
Packing List. Miscellaneous, 1937?
Packing List. Nadelman Museum, 1937?
Packing List. Naval History Room & Naval History Manuscripts, 1937?
Packing List. N-YHS Records (Archives), 1937?
Packing List. Paintings, 1937?
Packing List. Pamphlets, 1937?
Packing List. Portrait Room House, 1937?
Packing List. Pewter & Kindred Objects, 1937?
Packing List. Riverdale Museum, 1937?
Packing List. Shelf Annex, 1937?
Packing List. Shipments to 80th St. & 3rd Ave., 1937?
Packing List. Silver, 1937?
Subseries IV.B. Construction Management Documents, 1931, 1935-1939
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Construction Management Documents subseries includes what appear to be the files of the construction crew, specifically those of representatives of Turner Construction Company, especially Project Superintendent A.C. Gallagher, and Clerk of the Works Garrett H. Winter. There is considerable overlap between this subseries and subseries IV.A., notably with respect to specifications, subcontractor contracts, and project meeting minutes. Nonetheless, this subseries also includes other material, including correspondence among Turner, Winter, the subcontractors, and the architect, Walker & Gillette. The subseries also includes Turner's daily construction progress reports and Winter's diary, or notes, concerning daily developments on the site. There are some photographs of the construction work in progress, various small blueprints and sketches, and brochures from some of the subcontractors.
Arrangement Note
The subseries is organized in two sets of files. The first set are those that appear to have been maintained by members of Turner Construction Company. The second set are those that appear to have been maintained by Clerk of the Works Garret H. Winter. The files are arranged alphabetically by topic within each set. The topics are believed to be from the original labels.
Processing Information Note
The material in this subseries was initially processed in July 2005 and treated as a standalone collection known as the Walker and Gillette Collection (also known as the Walker and Gillette Renovation Records), with call number PR 078. In 2015, the collection was merged with N-YHS archival material as part of record group #3, forming this Construction Management Documents subseries. Although the arrangement of material was slightly modified with the merger, and a few folders of post-1930s documents were separated to be included in a future record group (NYHS-RG 4) of post-1940s buildings records, the material in this subseries remains largely as it was found in PR 078.
Accounting, circa 1937
Access Panels, 1937
ACG [A.C. Gallagher] File, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes just a few documents. A.C. Gallagher was Turner's Superintendent on the project.
Achilles Construction Co., 1937
Arches & Fireproofing -- R.E. Carrick & Co., 1937-1938
Architects' Meeting Minutes (1 of 2), 1937-1938
Architects' Meeting Minutes (2 of 2), 1938
Asphalt Tile -- Strawbridge & Clothier, 1937-1938
Brick, Face, 1937-1938
Bridge, Sidewalk -- M.F.C. Shoring & Foundation Co., 1937
Book Stacks, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photographs of Snead & Co. library furniture products.
Book Stack Elevator, 1937
Borings, 1936
Bronze Windows, 1937-1938
Building Congress, 1938
Cabinet Work, 1938
Change Orders & Misc., 1937-1938
Check List [Book Stack Inspection], 1938
Concrete, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a booklet "Penn-Dixie Concrete Table and Recommended Mixes for Different Kinds of Work" prepared by the Service Bureau of Pennsylvania-Dixie Cement Corp (New York sales office).
Construction Reports (1 of 6), 1937 February-May
Construction Reports (2 of 6), 1937 June-August
Construction Reports (3 of 6), 1937 September-December
Construction Reports (4 of 6), 1938 January-March
Construction Reports (5 of 6), 1938 April-July
Construction Reports (6 of 6), 1938 August-October
Costs, 1938
[R.L.] Cullum, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence to and from Turner's Project Manager, R.L. Cullum.
Distribution [Payroll], 1938
Doors, 1937-1938
Door, Overhead -- Allen Automatic Inc., 1937-1938
Door Trim & Frames (#A1) Index, circa 1937
Electric, Temporary, 1937-1938
Electrical Work (1 of 2), 1937-1938
Electrical Work (2 of 2), 1938
Elevators, 1937-1938
Excavations, 1937-1938
[File Codes], [1937-1938]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes tables of files coded by plan/drawing number and related creator or sub-contractor. For example, the table indicates that File G-1 relates to granite facing Plan #1 by John L. Goss Corp. The coding relates to those found written on many of the drawings in the series.
Flag Pole, 1938
Formica, 1938
Foundations, 1937-1938
Glass Block, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes marketing brochure for Insulux glass block from Owens-Illinois Glass Co.
Glass -- Contractors Glass Co., 1937-1938
Granite (1 of 6), 1937 March-August
Granite (2 of 6), 1937 September
Granite (3 of 6), 1937 October
Granite (4 of 6), 1937 November
Granite (5 of 6), 1937 November-December
Granite (6 of 6), 1938
Granite -- Pagano, 1938
Hardware (1 of 4), 1937-1938
Hardware (2 of 4), 1938
Hardware (3 of 4), 1938
Hardware (4 of 4), 1938
Hardware Schedule, 1938
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (1 of 2), 1937
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (2 of 2), 1938
Hoist -- United Hoisting Co., 1937
Hoist Tower -- Chesbro Whitman, 1937
Hollow Metal Work, 1937-1938
Hydrolithic Waterproofing, 1937
Insurance Data, 1937
Kalamein Work -- Chapman Metal Products, 1937-1938
Labor Department, 1937
Lintels -- Van Brunt Bros., 1937
Lumber, Form, 1937
Marble, 1937-1938
Mason's Material, 1937
Millwork [Sketches], 1937-38
Miscellaneous Iron, 1937-1938
Models, 1937
Mosaic Floors & Terrazzo -- Del Turco Bros., 1937-1938
Nailcrete Corp., circa 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes marketing brochure for Nailcrete Corporation (New York).
Oil & Grease, 1937
Painting, 1938
Partitions (temporary), 1937
Peelle Doors, 1937
Plan Notes, 1937
Plans, 1937-1938
Plant & Tools, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a marketing brochure for the L. Best Company (New York).
Picture Moulding, 1937
Plaster, 1938
Plumbing, 1937-1938
Plumbing, Temporary, 1937
Plywood, 1937
Protection of Utilities & Property, 1937
Rolling Shutter Door -- Cornell Iron Works, 1937-1938
Roofing & Sheet Metal Work, 1937-1938
Sand -- Materials Delivery Corp., 1937
Schedule (1 of 3), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five photographs of the construction.
Schedule (2 of 3), 1938
Schedule (3 of 3), 1937?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes an oversize blueprint of the progress schedule, dated May 6, 1937, though project timelines go through 1938.
Sketches, 1937-1938
Spandrel Beam Waterproofing, 1937
Specifications, Notes, 1937
Steel, Reinforcement, 1937
Steel, Structural, 1937-1938
Streets, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eleven construction photographs; although these photos seem chiefly interested in the curb line of West 76th and West 77th streets, they include images of the surrounding buildings and part of the sites of demolition.
Structural Lintels, 1937
Survey (1 of 2), 1937
Survey (2 of 2), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a blueprint of a survey by George Hollerith.
Telephone, 1937
Terra Cotta, Glazed, 1937-1938
Terra Cotta Tile, Rough, 1937
Testing, 1937
Tile Work -- Cranford & Joseph, 1937-1938
Tracings of Steel Lists (Ordered), 1937
Vault Door, 1937
Water, 1937
Westinghouse (1 of 2), 1938
Westinghouse (2 of 2), 1938
Window Cleaning, 1937
Windows, Metal, 1937-1938
[Garret H.] Winter, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes informal notes between Clerk of the Works Winter and Turner's representatives, mostly A.C. Gallagher.
Wood Floors, 1937-1938
Wrecking Subcontract, 1937
Architect's Specifications, [1937]
Bulletin, Plant Rental Schedule, 1931, 1937
[Construction Diary of] Garrett H. Winter (2 notebooks), 1937-1938
Comparison of Estimates, 1936
Control Panel Wiring Diagrams, Elevator, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six photographs of plans by Westinghouse Electric Elevator Co.
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (1 of 9), 1937 January-March
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (2 of 9), 1937 April-June
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (3 of 9), 1937 July-September
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (4 of 9), 1937 October-December
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (5 of 9), 1938 January-March
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (6 of 9), 1938 April-June
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (7 of 9), 1938 July-September
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (8 of 9), 1938 October-December
Correspondence, Miscellaneous (9 of 9), 1939
Doors & Freight Elevators, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes marketing brochures for The Peelle Company (Brooklyn, NY).
Electric Work. Specifications, 1937
Fireproof Floor, Roof Construction, Cinder Fill. Specifications, 1937
Lighting Recommendations, 1938
Metal Lathing & Furring. Specifications, 1937
Minutes, 1937-1938
Miscellaneous Lists, 1937?-1938
Painting. Specifications, 1938
Photographs, 1938
Pier & Foundation Data, 1937
Plastering. Specifications, 1937
Plumbing Fixtures, 1937
Roofing & Sheet Metal, Structural Steel. Specifications, 1937
Room Finishes, 1937
Schedules. Men in Building, 1935-1937
Specifications & Conditions of Contract, 1937?
Specifications. Various (1 of 5), 1937
Specifications. Various (2 of 5), 1937
Specifications. Various (3 of 5), 1937
Specifications. Various (4 of 5), 1937
Specifications. Various (5 of 5), 1937
Wrecking Specifications & Bids, 1938
Subseries IV.C. Plans and Drawings, 1925, 1935-1938
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Plans and Drawings subseries includes about 1200 plans related to the 1937-1938 expansion of the Central Park West building. Most of these plans are blueprints on paper or linen, though many are also bluelined whiteprints, photographic reproductions, penciled tracings, and other formats. Although most of the plans are by the architectural firm Walker & Gillette, there is also a large number of plans by the general and sub-contractors of the project.
Many of the plans, especially those of Walker & Gillette, are represented with multiple versions. Many of these are duplicates, but many are the earlier and later versions of particular plans that were created over the course of the project. Some of the plans are annotated with crayon markings.
The subseries also includes plans for the expansion proposed by York & Sawyer in 1925 and in 1935-1936. None of those plans were accepted by N-YHS, which elected to use Walker & Gillette for the job. Three drawings (watercolors?) of building designs proposed by Walker & Gillette are in the subseries, including the one signed as approved by Director Alexander J. Wall.
Arrangement Note
The subseries is arranged in alphabetical order by name of the firm that created the plans. [Bracketed names] indicate that the firm's name is not on the document, but was attributed to it by the archivist.
For those firms with multiple folders of material, the folders are presented when possible in drawing number order.
The bulk of the plans have been flattened and are stored in oversize folders. About 200 plans, principally by Walker & Gillette, which are duplicative of or were superseded by those in the oversize folders, were not flattened. These remain either folded in three document boxes or were placed on seven rolls. These folded or rolled plans appear in the container list after the flattened drawings. These less accessible versions of the plans should be used only if need be after referring to the flattened versions.
Access Restrictions
An appointment is required for access to the material in this subseries. Please contact the Print Room at printroom@nyhistory.org.
Processing Information Note
Many of the plans in this series were formerly included with other architectural plans in Series X of a different record group, the New-York Historical Society pictorial archive (NYHS-RG 5). In May 2015, all of the 1940s and earlier plans from NYHS-RG 5 were transferred into this record group, NYHS-RG 3. Plans for the 1937-1938 expansion were included in this series, where they were combined with hundreds of related and previously uninventoried plans.
Allen Automatic Inc. (Ossining, NY), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints of general layout of door 117.
American Bridge Co., 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
This oversize flat box includes blueprints of index to marks and of sketch sheets for struts, beams, etc. for the first, second, and third shipments (plans F1-10, C1, EF1; F201-242; F301-356; F401-476; F501-554; F601-667; F701-799, 701A-711A; F801-832; and F901-918.
American Bridge Co., 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes whiteprints of bracing plans (plan #E101, E102, E103, E104, E105, E105a, E201, E202, E203, E204, E205, and [E206?]).
American Bridge Co., 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes whiteprints of bracing plans (plan #E101, E102, E103, E104, E105, E105a, and E206).
American Bridge Co., 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints of bracing plans, grillages, anchor bolts, etc. (plan #E1, E105a, E201, E202, E203, E204, E205, E205a, E206, E301, and others).
American Bridge Co., 1937, inclusive
Scope and Contents Note
This folder includes 20 blueprints for order H796 (sheets 1, 2, 3, and E1; E101, E102, E103, E104, E105, and E105a; E201, E202, E203, E204, E205, E205a, and E206; and E301 (3 copies, with one attached to sheet E901) and order H796.X1 (sheet E1). All are stamped approved for strength by the consulting engineer and by Walker & Gillette. Relates to grillages, anchor bolts, framing, and other structural matters for the roof, mezzanine, stacks, and other floors. All of the plans in this folder were photographed in June 2019; a list of the digital image numbers and filenames are in the folder.
American Bridge Co., 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints of columns, trusses, diagonals (plan #201-208; 301-309; 401-412; 501-512; 601-613; 701-711; 801-810).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 16 blueprints of plans for supply and exhaust risers and ducts (plan # 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 22 blueprints of plans for supply and exhaust risers and ducts, discharge ducts, and plumbing, steam, and electrical circuits (plan # 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 21 blueprints of plans of supply, exhaust and discharge ducts, risers, and filters and stack casing for fans (plan # 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, and 29).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 22 blueprints of plans for for supply and exhaust ducts and connections to risers (plan # 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 20 blueprints of plans for supply and exhaust ducts, locations of drains, stack bases, locations of fans in basement, fan room, and connections to discharge louvres (plan # 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, and 52).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints of plans for a gauge board and heaters (see also the Trane Co. folder for another version of this plan and the related Trane heater plans) and two fragmented blueprints (likely plan 19 and 29).
Baker, Smith & Co. (New York), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two whiteprints of a register (eight sheets each), stamped as final by Walker & Gillette.
Bishop & Babcock Manufacturing Co. (Cleveland), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plans for squirrel cage fans.
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 23 blueprints of plans concerning stairs, pintels for stairs, guard rails, wall rails, and window guards (plan # 2-1, 4-1, 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-8, 8-1, 9-1, 9-2, 9-5, and 10-1). Also includes a plan numbered as 11-1, but this appears to be a mistake; the likely number is 3-1.
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 16 blueprints of plans of wall rails, steps, ladders, platforms, and trap doors (plan # 11-1, 15-1, 15-2, 16-1, 16-1-x, 17-1, 17-2, 18-1, 19-1, 19-2, and 20-1).
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 22 blueprints of plans of loose lintels, bucks and saddles, fences for court, window grilles and guards, and access doors (plan # 21-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-5, 23-1, 24-1, 25-1, 25-2-x, 26-1, 27-1, 28-1, and 29-1).
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 18 blueprints of plans of ceiling sashes, W. 77th Street entrance doors and inscription panel, transom grilles, sliding doors at Central Park West entrance, and bronze frame for glass brick openings in book stack (plan # 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, 30-4, 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 32-1, and 39-1). Also includes two unnumbered blueprints from Walker & Gillette that relate to Halback plan 30-3.
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 17 blueprints of plans of vestibule entrance, soffitt panels, bronze register grilles, steel ceiling sash, and section of bronze entrance (plan # 41-1, 41-2, 41-3, 41-4, 41-8, 42-1, and 45-1).
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six blueprints of plans of ladders in closet, bronze frames for niches in rotunda, bronze entrance at Central Park West, and bronze doors, iron frames and steel shutters (plan # 47-1, 52-1, 55-1, and 56-1).
C. E. Halback & Co. (Brooklyn), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints of plans of the rail on mezzanine steps and iron gate on W. 76th Street (plan # 60-1 and 66-1).
Campbell Solid Metal Window Corp. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 22 blueprints and print matter concerning windows, casements. etc.
Capelle, Ernest (Brooklyn), [1937?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints of plans for two flag poles and related sockets.
Chapman Metal Products Co. (New York), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four blueprints concerning doors and windows.
Cole Electric Products Co (Long Island City), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes several whiteprints of electrical works.
Commercial Furniture Co., 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one blueprint of a plan for the Director's table.
Consolidated Edison Co. (New York), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six blueprints (initial and revised) for layout of two bank transformers and switch vault below grade.
Curtis Lighting Inc. (Chicago), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three blueprints related to gallery lighting plans.
Dahlstrom Metallic Door Inc. (Jamestown, NY), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes nine blueprints related to elevators.
Del Turco Brothers Inc. (Harrison, NJ), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes about fifteen blueprints of plans concerning mosaic and terrazzo floor layouts.
Edwd. F. Caldwell & Co. Inc., 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two drawings of light fixtures for the Assembly Room.
Federal Seaboard Terra Cotta Corp. (Perth Amboy, NJ), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three blueprints (initial and revision) of details of pieces.
Frank Scolaro Marble Co. (New York), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 32 blueprints of plans related to marble work throughout the building.
General Bronze Corp. (Long Island City), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 26 blueprints of plans of bronze work for windows, frames for glass brick, and window stools (plan #1 through 11).
General Bronze Corp. (Long Island City). Rolled Plan, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
In addition to the above plans, there is one rolled General Bronze plan. This is plan # 3, detail of bronze windows, with an approved date of 8/5/1937. A later version of plan 3, from October 1937, is in the above folder.
The Gorham Company, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a rejected sketch design for a cast bronze tablet memorializing Egbert Benson.
Hollerith, George, 1936-1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four blueprints of surveys.
J. J. Fisher Co. (Brooklyn), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints of skylight details, plan #581 (4 sheets, multiple copies, some fragmented).
J. J. Fisher Co. (Brooklyn), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints of gutter lining, snowguard, louvre, and other roof and skylight details (plan #582, 584, 585, 589, 591, 593, 625, 627, and others without numbers due to fragmenting).
John L. Goss Corp. (Stonington, Maine), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 14 blueprints of plans related to granite work, including facing for the 76th and 77th Street wings, isolated sills and copings for the rear walls and roof, and sidewalk curbs.
M. T. Davidson Co. (Brooklyn), 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one blueprint of a pump & receiver.
MacNutt, Watts & Tankard (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes whiteprints and one blueprint related to electric work, including a schedule (six sheets, 2 copies).
Norton Lasier Co. (Chicago), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six blueprints related to floor closers.
Peelle Co. (Brooklyn), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five whiteprints of plans for manually-operated doors.
Quaker City Iron Works (Philadelphia), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints of a plan for a fire tank.
Snead & Co. (Jersey City, NJ), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 36 blueprints of plans for the book stacks, including connections to structural steel, floor plans, stair and elevator layouts, work desks, enclosures, and columns. Also plans for office partitions.
Snead & Co. (Jersey City, NJ), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 18 blueprints of plans for book stacks, including connections to structural steel, floor plans, stair and elevator layouts, sliding reference shelves, work desks, and enclosures.
Spencer, White & Prentis, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight blueprints concerning piles, pile locations, and piers.
Sprague & Henwood (New York), 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one whiteprint concerning borings.
Sprague & Henwood (New York), 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints concerning borings.
Strawbridge & Clothier (New York), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints concerning the book stacks' tile floor.
Structural Contracting Corp. (Westbury, L.I.), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints of detail of window grilles and of skylight sub-sash for office of Mr. Winter.
Superior Steel Door and Trim Co. (College Point, NY), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
This oversize flat box includes three sets of about fifty blueprints each of plans of doors, trim, etc.
Superior Steel Door and Trim Co. (College Point, NY), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 16 blueprints of plans of doors, trim, frames, etc.
Taylor-Fichter Steel Construction Co. (New York), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six blueprints of plans concerning alterations to the 2nd floor mezzanine.
Trane Co. (La Crosse, Wis.), 1935-1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten blueprints of plans for heating units, coil assembly, etc. One of the plans is missing a title box; the unfragmented version can be found in the Baker-Smith folders (drawing BS101).
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (1 of 4), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next three include many small blueprints of sketches made by Turner concerning details for doors, granite, wall slots, pits, and other matters. This first folder includes a partial inventory for sketches numbered 1 through 63. Not all the sketches recorded on the inventory are in the folders, and the final folder holds sketches not on the inventory. The original cover sheet for these sketches, also in this first folder, referred to these as "extra copies" of Turner sketches. In addition to the inventory, this first folder holds a schedule of interior wood jambs, a schedule of door trim, and sketches # 1 through 9.
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (2 of 4), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Turner sketches # 10 through 29.
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (3 of 4), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Turner sketches # 30 through 64.
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (4 of 4), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Turner sketches # A through U, with gaps.
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (1 of 3), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next two include various small blueprints of sketches made by Turner. The original cover sheet, found in this first folder, referred to these as miscellaneous sketches. This first folder includes three plot plans drawn by Walker & Gillette, with Turner's related sketches attached to two of them.
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (2 of 3), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a schedule of interior wood jambs, a schedule of door trim, and a schedule of lintels by room.
Turner Construction Co. (New York) (3 of 3), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various sketches related to doors, granite, wood trim, lintel, skylight roof openings, and other details.
Turner Construction Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes several blueprints of Turner's sketches, most lettered from A through P, with some numbered (39, 39a, 49a, 51, and 52).
Turner Construction Co. (New York), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints by Turner: drawing # 73A (detail of steps, assembly room) and drawing S1000 concerning the steps from the 1st mezzanine to book stack.
[Turner Construction Co. (New York)?], 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes several blueprints of lists of hardware for doors.
Turner Construction Co. (New York), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a whiteprint List of Architectural & Misc Metals (2 sheets).
Turner Construction Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 20 blueprints (4 sets) of schedules of wood trim and wood doors (plan # H101through H105).
Turner Construction Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 20 blueprints and two whiteprints of plans of various construction details.
[Turner Construction Co. (New York)?], 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five plans on tracing paper, possibly prepared by Turner. Subjects include a sidewalk bridge, proposed plant layout, ductwork(?), and two details.
Various Subcontractors, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints from American Air Filter Co. (vent), Chesebro-Whitman Co. (tubular steel towers), Cornell Iron Works (tubular steel doors; two plans), Miller & Doing, Inc. (copper cheneau), Mosler Safe Co. (masonry), New York Steam Corp. (proposed 6" service), Snead & Co? (book stack arrangement), T.P. McLoughlin, Inc. (plumber's plan-stone tubs), and Whitney Duplicating Check Co. (coat room equipment layout).
Various Subcontractors, 1935-1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes small blueprints concerning sump pumps by Quimby Pump Co. (Newark, NJ), Josam Manufacturing Co. (Michigan City, Ind.), and Cutler-Hammer Inc. (New York).
W. D. Allen Manufacturing Co. (New York), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten blueprints of plans concerning fire hose cabinets.
W. S. Tyler Co., 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes nine blueprints of plans concerning details of the three elevators.
Walker & Gillette List of Plans, [1938?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes cards listing plans by number and title. Though not noted as such, the bulk are Walker & Gillette plans, though at least one appears to refer to Sprague & Henwood's boring Plan (# 0-0). These can be helpful at further identifying the subject of the specific plans noted in the Walker & Gillette list that follows.
Walker & Gillette, 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a blueprint (six sheets) of Walker & Gillette's "Scheme #1" and two other blueprints of sections and a plan of the reading room.
Walker & Gillette, 1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two sets of reproductions of Walker & Gillette's proposed floor plans of 1936, six sheets in each set, one a positive image, the other negative.
Walker & Gillette, [1936?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes schematic plans of the first and second floors on hard backing.
Walker & Gillette, [1937?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three drawings of building design proposals, with the accepted one signed as approved by Director Alexander Wall.
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 13 blueprints of a north-south section for excavation, and floor plans for the basement and 1st floor (plan # 2 and 3).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eleven blueprints of the 2nd floor plan (plan # 4).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 13 blueprints of the 2nd floor mezzanine plan and revisions to the plan (plan # 5 and 5A.flap).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 21 blueprints of the 3rd floor plan, revision to the 3rd floor plan, and the attic floor plan (plan # 6, 6A, and 6A.flap).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 17 blueprints of the roof plan and the Central Park West elevation (plan # 7 and 8).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 20 blueprints of the 76th Street, 77th Street, and rear elevations (plan # 9, 10, and 11).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 16 blueprints of longitudinal section A-A and revision to the section (plan # 12 and 12A.flap).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 17 blueprints of cross section B-B, revision to the cross section, and longitudinal C-C (plan # 13.P3, 13A.flap, and 14).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 18 blueprints of details of existing stonework, exterior detail and wall section, typical book stack floor, southwest corridor plan, interior elevations, and revision to court elevation (plan # 15, 16, 17A, 18, 19, and 19A).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 34 blueprints of cross-sections, interior elevations, roof and skylights, typical stack wall treatment with ducts, and details of stairs (plan # 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 (one copy attached to SK.104 and an associated letter from Walker & Gillette to Turner), 27, 28, and 29).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a set of 15 blueprints, originally rolled together, that were issued to all trades on 2 June 1937. Plan # 5A. flap, 6A.flap, 10, 12A.flap, 13A.flap, 14, 16, 18, 19, 19A, 20, 23, 24, 26, and 28.
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 19 blueprints of elevations and details (some full scale) of Views of Old New York Room and Executive Committee Room, detail of paneling in director's room, location of wall registers, door trims and frames, and details of toilet rooms, locker room, kitchen, and elsewhere (plan # 30, 35, 41, 42, 43, 47, and 48).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 29 blueprints of corridors, wall sections, partitions, window grilles, etc. (plan # 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, and 39).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten blueprints of plans of schedules of doors; ceiling heights, furring, and registers; and skylights (plan # 40, 44, and 46).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a whiteprint with original pencilling of the Specification Schedule of Material (plan #49, sheets 1, 2, 3, and 5).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six sets (5 sheets each, one for each floor basement through third) of blueprints of the Specification Schedule of Material (plan #49) and a blueprint of a preliminary progress schedule.
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 19 blueprints of plans of plaster work at new opening and elsewhere, corridor and hall details, list of rooms where plaster coves are required, design for floor in passenger & book stack elevator, bronze lettering, and other details (plan # 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55.Rev, 56, 57, 58, and 59).
Walker & Gillette, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 20 blueprints of plans for a telephone booth, wood molding under the skylights and elsewhere, changes in niches in the rotunda, a bronze panel in the rotunda and other bronze work, steel sash and glass brick, and color scheme for elevator car 1 (plan # 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67).
Walker & Gillette, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 11 blueprints of plans of details in the east corridor and elsewhere, detail for the 77th Street vestibule, elevations of changes in assembly hall, alterations and marble & mosaic in the Old New York Room, and detail of street wall for property adjoining N-YHS (plan # 70 and 70A (these replace plan 51), 71, 73, 74, and 75).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten blueprints of plans for ornamental iron stairs, freight elevator door, bucks and loading platform, full scale details of pilasters for 76th and 77th Street elevators, main cornice detail, and granite detail in base course and elsewhere (plan # 101, 102, 102A, 103, and 104).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 12 blueprints of plans of details of elevator dials, register grilles, brick window sills, granite thresholds, jamb and sills of elevators, bronze windows, plaster ornament, and exit light (plan # 105, 106, 109, 112, 116, and 117).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 13 blueprints of plans of details (some full scale) of bronze entrance doors on 77th Street, windows, Views of Old New York Room, marble work, rotunda to assembly hall door, bronze inscription tablet dedicating the wings to the Thompsons (whose bequest was used to fund the expansion), and bulletin board (plan # 107, 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, and 115A).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes seven whiteprints (linens) of electric work (plan # E.01, E.1, E.2, E.2m, E.3, E.4, E.5-2).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five whiteprints of plans concerning electric work (plan # E.01, E.1, E.2m, E.3, and E.4).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 33 blueprints of plans concerning electric work (plan # E.01, E.1, E.2, E.2m, E.3, E.3 supplement, portion of E.3 Rev, E.4, E.5-2, E.6-1 (from MacNutt, Watts & Tankard), E-7, and one unidentified number of a riser diagram).
Walker & Gillette, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten plans of electric work on tracing paper (plan # E.01, E.1, E.2, E.2m, E.3, E.3 supplement, E.4, E.5-2, E-7, and one unidentified number of a riser diagram).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six linen whiteprints, stamped "record drawing," of plans concerning heating & ventilating (plan # H&V.1, H&V.2, H&V.3, H&V.4, H&V.5, and H&V.6).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six linen whiteprints of plans concerning heating & ventilating (plan # H&V.1, H&V.2, H&V.3, H&V.4, H&V.5, and H&V.6).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 21 whiteprints of plans concerning heating & ventilating (plan # H&V.1, H&V.2, H&V.3, H&V.4, H&V.5, and H&V.6).
Walker & Gillette, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 25 blueprints of plans concerning heating & ventilating (plan # H&V.1, H&V.2, H&V.3, H&V.4, H&V.5, and H&V.6).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eleven blueprints of plans concerning plumbing, drainage and standpipes (plan # P.1, P.2, P.4, P.5, and unnumbered).
[Walker & Gillette?], 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 21 blueprints of plans concerning plumbing and drainage. One is Walker & Gillette's plan # P.4. The creators of the other plans are unidentified.
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four plans on tracing paper concerning plumbing and drainage (plan # P.1, P.2, P.4, and P.5).
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 11 blueprints and one reproduction of framing and foundation plans (plan # S.2, S.3, S.4, S.5, S.6, S.7, S.8, S.9, S.10, S.12, and S.13). The blueprints are linen, stamped as the inspector's official copy.
Walker & Gillette, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 21 blueprints of framing and foundation plans (plan # S.1, S.2, S.3, S.4, S.5, S.6, S.7, S.8, S.9, S.10, and S.13).
Walker & Gillette, 1936-1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plans on tracing paper: three related to the book stacks (plan #17a, 20 , and one unnumbered); an unnumbered elevation from 1936 of the original building; plans related to granite, cornices, ornamental iron, bronze, pilasters, and other matters (plan # 101, 102, 102a, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115a, and 117); sketches related to granite, marble, metal grilles, and a lighting panel (sketch # SK.100, SK.101, SK.102, SK.103, and SK.104); and lighting fixture designs (design # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7a, 7b, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 17a, and one unnumbered).
Walker & Gillette, 1937?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five blueprints: two sketches concerning granite (SK.100 and SK.101) and three unnumbered plans concerning bronze doors and vestibules.
Walker & Gillette, 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various fragmented blueprints of plans concerning lighting strips, doors, toilets, electric panels, and heating & ventilating.
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight Mylar(?) reproductions of elevations (plan # 8, 9, 10, and 11).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four Mylar(?) reproductions of elevations (plan # 8, 9, 10, and 11).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five reproductions (reduced size) of floor plans (plan # 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four reproductions of elevations (plan # 8, 9, 10, and 11).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eleven reproductions of elevations (plan # 8, 9, 10, and 11).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five reproductions of elevations, details of existing stonework, and exterior details and wall sections (plan # 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four reproductions wth backward images of elevations (plan # 8, 9, 10, and 11).
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes reproductions of various plans. Negative images, unnumbered.
Walker & Gillette. Reproductions, 1937, inclusive
Scope and Contents
17 plans from February-April 1937: basement plan (plan #2), first floor plan (#3), second floor plan (#4), second floor mezzanine plan (#5), third floor plan (#6), attic floor plan (#6-A), roof plan (#7?), Central Park West elevation (#8), 76th street elevation (#9), 77th street elevation (#10), rear elevation (#11), longitudinal section A-A (#12), cross section B-3 (#13P3), longitudinal C-C (#14), revised basement and other floors with SW corridor (#18), wall sections (#20), cross section D-D (#22). These plans were transferred to the Archives from the Capital Projects department in June 2019. At that time they were digitally photographed.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (1 of 16), 1936-1938
Scope and Contents Note
This set of 16 folders includes folded (unflattened) blueprints. They can be used only with assistance from the Public Services staff. This folder includes six blueprints concerning stonework, book stack, corridors, interior court elevations, and wall treatment: # 15, 17a (1936), 18, 19, 20a, and 25.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (2 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five blueprints concerning elevations of grilles and sash, elevation of new entrance on 77th Street, details of stairs, and Executive Committee room: # 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (3 of 16), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes seven blueprints concerning corridors, grilles, air outlets, details of kitchen and various rooms, partitions, and sleeves in wall: # 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, and 38.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (4 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four blueprints concerning elevations & schedules of doors, door trims and frames, paneling in the Director's room, and the Views of Old New York gallery: # 40, 41, 47, and 48.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (5 of 16), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes the blueprint of the Specification Schedule of Material, # 49 (5 sheets).
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (6 of 16), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes six blueprints concerning plaster work, corridors and stair hall, floor design for the elevators, bronze lettering in 77th Street doorway, push bars for vestibule doors, and window enclosures: # 50, 51, 52, 55.Rev, 56, 57, 58, and 59.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (7 of 16), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight blueprints concerning color scheme for elevator #1, changes to niches, wood molding, telephone booth, changes in floor levels, details of steel sash and glass brick, bronze plaque in rotunda floor, and bronze doors and frame: # 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (8 of 16), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight blueprints concerning bronze doors, corridors, 77th Street vestibule, Assembly Hall changes, marble and mosaic floors, detail of street wall for property adjoining N-YHS, and layout for garden walls on 76th Street: # 68, 70, 70a, 71, 73, 74, 75, and 76.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (9 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueprints concerning granite details: # 101 and 102.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (10 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three blueprints concerning cornice details, pilasters, and ornamental iron: # 102a, 103, and 104.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (11 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four blueprints concerning jamb and sills, bronze entrance doors, brick window sills, granite thresholds, and 2nd floor windows: # 106, 107, 109, and 110.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (12 of 16), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four blueprints concerning details of Views of Old New York gallery, dials for elevators, marble work, and door from rotunda to Assembly Hall: # 111, 112, 113, and 114.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (13 of 16), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three blueprints concerning bronze inscription tablet (full size), bulletin board, and plaster ornament and exit light: # 115, 115a, and 117.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (14 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes seven blueline whiteprints of electric work: # E.01 (basement), E.1 (1st floor), E.2 (2nd floor), E.2m (2nd floor mezz), E.3 (3rd floor), E.4 (roof), and E.5-2 (book stack).
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (15 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight blueprints concerning framing, typical floor and roof slabs, and various alterations: # S.3, S.4, S.5, S.8, S.10, S.11, S.12, and S.13.
Walker & Gillette. Folded Plans (16 of 16), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten blueprints of sketches concerning book stacks, roof openings, doors, granite, Kalamein details, and other matter: # SK.100, SK.101, SK.102, SK.104, and unnumbered.
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (1 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
In addition to the above plans, there are 6 rolls of Walker & Gillette blueprints. These rolled plans are duplicates or earlier versions of the plans found above. Following are the plan numbers in this roll. The date shown is the latest date found above the title block on the plan (i.e., latest of revised or issued date). Plan # 5A.flap (12/27/37), 9 (6/24/37), 10 (10/7/37), 11 (6/24/37), 12A.flap (12/27/37), 13A.flap (6/24/37), 13P3 (6/24/37), 13P3 (9/9/37), 14 (2 copies, both 9/9/37), 18 (2/11/38), 19 (6/24/37), 19A (6/24/37), 22 (9/9/37), 38 (7/8/37), and 44 (9/16/37).
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (2 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plan # 2 (7/29/37), 3 (6/24/37), 4 (12/27/37), 5 (6/24/37), 5 (12/27/37), 6 (2 copies of 9/9/37), 6 (3/8/38), 6a (9/9/37), 6a (3/8/38), 7 (2 copies of 9/9/37), 7 (10/9/37), and 7 (3/8/38).
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (3 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plan # 27 (6/24/37), 31 (8/11/37), 31(12/10/37), 32 (2 copies of 7/9/37), 32 (12/10/37), 33 (2 copies of 7/9/37), 33 (12/10/37), 35 (7/8/37), 40 (9/24/37), 43 (2 copies of 9/23/37), 51 (1/17/38; voided and replaced by 70 & 70A); 57 (1/21/38), and 114 (1/26/38).
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (4 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plan # 23 (6/2/37), 23 (2 copies of 7/2/37), 24 (6/2/37), E.01 (5/5/37), E.01 (4/4/38), E.1 (5/2/38), E.1 (6/1/38), E.2 (4/4/38), E.2m (4/4/38), E.4 (2/9/38), H&V 2 (4/12/37), H&V 5 (4/12/37), and H&V 6 (4/12/37).
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (5 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plan # 30 (9/2/37), 30 (9/9/37), 47 (9/27/37), 48 (12/31/37), 102A (7/16/37), 103 (5/7/37), 104 (5/24/37), 110 (10/11/37), 110 (12/27/37), 111 (12/27/37), 115 (3/22/37), and 115A (5/18/38).
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (6 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three sets (5 sheets each) of the Specification Schedule of Material (drawing 49): Sheet 1 (11/26/37), Sheet 2 (11/26/37), Sheet 3 (11/26/37), Sheet 4 (11/26/37), and Sheet 5 (12/29/37).
Walker & Gillette. Rolled Plans (7 of 7), 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plan # 101 (4/21/37) and 102 (5/7/37). (This roll also includes General Bronze plan # 3.)
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing, 1937-1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three whiteprints of controller diagrams.
Westinghouse Electric Elevator Co. (Chicago), 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 3 Westinghouse blueprints concerning elevators, stamped approved by Walker & Gillette. Also includes Walker & Gillette's related plan #106 (details of jamb & sills of passenger elevator #1 and stack elevator #3).
Westinghouse Electric Elevator Co. (Chicago). Folded Plans, 1937
Scope and Contents Note
Includes four blueprints concerning elevators, stamped approved by Walker & Gillette.
William Somerville, Inc. (New York), 1938
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight blueprints of detail & schedule of wood doors and details for the director's room and Executive Committee room.
York & Sawyer, 1925
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight blueprints of floor plans proposed by York & Sawyer in 1925 for the expansion.
York & Sawyer, 1935-1936
Scope and Contents Note
Includes ten sets of blueprints of York & Sawyer's proposals updated to 1935 for the expansion. Most of the sets are identical.
Unidentified (1 of 2), 1937?
Scope and Contents Note
This folder and the next include two sets of sketches on kraft paper of floor plans and other matter.
Unidentified (2 of 2), 1937?
Unidentified, [1937?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two sets of photographic reproductions of schematic floor plans showing the planned purposes of the various spaces in the building.
Unidentified, [1938?]
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one hand drawn schematic on kraft paper of a plan for a library table. The creator of the plan is unidentified.
Subseries IV.D. Post-Construction Plans, 1940, 1945-1946, undated
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The Post-Construction Plans subseries includes a small number of plans from the 1940s, the period of time shortly after the completion of the expansion of the Central Park West building in the late 1930s. Most of the subseries includes preliminary blueprints from 1945-1946 developed by Philip N. Youtz concerning a further expansion of the N-YHS building along West 76th Street; these plans were unrealized. The subseries also includes a blueprint prepared by N-YHS engineer Garrett H. Winter of the boiler and engine room (1940) and a set of schematic floor plans, possibly from the 1940s.
Arrangement Note
The subseries is arranged in chronological order.
Access Restrictions
An appointment is required for access to the material in this subseries. Please contact the Print Room at printroom@nyhistory.org.
Processing Information Note
The Youtz and undated floor plans were formerly included with other architectural plans in Series X of a different record group, the New-York Historical Society pictorial archive (NYHS-RG 5). In May 2015, all of the plans from the 1940s and earlier in NYHS-RG 5 were transferred into this record group, NYHS-RG 3. The plans from the 1940s were placed in this series.
Boiler and Engine Room, 1940
Scope and Contents Note
Includes five blueprints prepared by engineer Garrett H. Winter.
Education Building, 1945
Scope and Contents Note
Includes multiple sets of Philip Youtz's preliminary blueprints for an expansion of N-YHS to include an Education Building.
Layout Plans, 1946
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Philip N. Youtz's preliminary plan for a 76th Street expansion of the N-YHS building.
Layout Plans, 1946
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Philip N. Youtz's preliminary plan for a 76th Street expansion of the N-YHS building.
Layout Plans, 1946
Scope and Contents Note
Includes reproductions of Philip N. Youtz's preliminary plan for a 76th Street expansion of the N-YHS building.
Unidentified Set of Floor Plans, 1940s?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a set of schematic floor plans.