Series I. General Subject Files, 1938-2017, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
The General Subject Files series includes records of various building projects dating from the 1940s and forward. The distinguishing feature of this series is that each project documented in it includes a relatively small number of records for each project. These projects range from small, highly focused work, such as the installation of railings at the front entrance in the mid-1970s, to large scale work such as the installation of air-conditioning in the mid-1960s.
The content of the series appears to have been compiled from a variety of sources. Accordingly, the content is uneven and incomplete as to any particular project. Most documents lack fuller context including whether the work described was completed or not. Nonetheless, many documents provide important information about key projects. These include, among others, the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) Photographic Documentation taken in 2008 and 2010 in advance of interior and exterior renovation work done at that time, including in the auditorium; the early concept documents from Lee H. Skolnick for the DiMenna Children's Museum (2008-2010); and concept documents from Donna Lawrence Productions for the Orientation Theater (2008-2011).
Arrangement Note
The series is arranged in rough chronological order.
Water Main Break, 1938, 1948
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photographs of water main and sidewalk excavation (1948). Includes two blueprints of gauges (1938).
Drawings for Glass Case, 1952
Proposed New Mezzanine Floor, East Gallery, 1951 June
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one drawing on tissue paper with elevations, lighting plan, and various details. Drawn by architects R.B. O'Connor & W.H. Kilham, Jr.
15 West 76th Street. Proposed Alterations, 1950s?
Scope and Contents Note
Drawing by Garrett H. Winter (N-YHS Superintendent).
Air Conditioning Estimates, 1953, 1961, 1965
Scope and Contents Note
Includes report and correspondence from consulting engineers Meyer, Strong & Jones (1960s). See also folder below: Third Floor Office Proposal [Air Conditioning] for related 1965 blueprint.
Insurance Map for N-YHS, 1955 February
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a map drawn by Marsh & McLennan highlighting the N-YHS building and its property at 15 West 76th Street.
Floor Space Square Footage Calculations (1 of 2), 1956 September
Scope and Contents Note
Includes room by room dimensions and square foot calculations taken by N-YHS Superintendent Garret H. Winter. A set of oversize schematic floor plans were separated to the following folder.
Floor Space Square Footage Calculations (2 of 2). Oversize, 1956?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes oversize schematic of floor plans identifying the purpose of each space in the building. The document is undated but likely relevant in 1956 as it was included in folder with Winter's space calculations of that year.
Third Floor Office Proposal [Air Conditioning], 1965 May 20
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one blueprint of a plan for air conditioning on the 3rd floor by engineers Meyer, Strong and Jones (drawing #HV-4). The blueprint is annotated with proposed changes of office locations, possibly also from 1965.
Meyer, Strong & Jones, 1965-1966
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueprints and some bluelines of plans of lighting layouts and air conditioning for the basement through the 4th floor.
Moore & Hutchins, Architects, 1965-1966
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueline drawings, principally those drawn with the mechanical & electrical engineers Meyer, Strong & Jones for basement ductwork, piping and mechanical equipment spaces; ductwork ventilation plans for the 1st through 4th floors; and schedules and details. Also includes Moore & Hutchins's roof & skylight plan.
Moore & Hutchins, Architects, 1966
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueline drawings, principally those drawn with the mechanical & electrical engineers Meyer, Strong & Jones for lighting in the Reading Room and 4th Floor and for gallery wireway. Also one plan drawn by Gotham Lighting Corporation and approved by Moore & Hutchins. Also includes a voided architectural and structural roof plan.
Moore & Hutchins, Architects, 1966
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueline drawings drawn with the mechanical & electrical engineers Meyer, Strong & Jones for lighting in the basement, roof, and 4th floor; light and power riser diagram; and wiring schedules.
Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, 1961, 1966
Scope and Contents Note
Includes drawings of valve schedules (1961) and plans for heating controls, drawn for architects Moore and Hutchins and engineers Meyer, Strong & Jones (1966).
W-M Metal Works, 1966
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bluelines of plans of ductwork in basement and of fan room (#1-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B (final), 8-FRB, 9-FRB, 10-FRB, 11-FRB Architects: Moore & Hutchings. Engineer: Meyer, Strong & Jones.
Basement Ducts. Field Check, Undated (1960s?)
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two blueline drawings by an unidentified drafter.
Landmarks Preservation Committee, 1966, 1973
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a copy of the Commission's designation of the N-YHS building as a Landmark (1966) and an incomplete copy of the "Historic District Designation Report" for Central Park West, 76th Street (1973).
Landmarks Permit for Minor [Lighting] Work, 1973-1974
Castro-Blanco Piscioneri and Feder, Architects, 1970, 1972
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bluelines of floor plans for the cellar through 4th floor (drawings #1-5). Drawn in 1970 with revisions in 1972.
Castro-Blanco Piscioneri and Feder, Architects, 1971
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photocopies and one blueline of floor plans for the cellar through roof (drawings #1-6). Drawn in July 1971 with one revision in September 1971.
Castro-Blanco Piscioneri and Feder, Architects, 1970, 1972
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two floor plans on Mylar: a 1st floor plan (1970) and a 4th floor plan (M-4, 1972), with consulting engineer Richard Hill.
Castro-Blanco Piscioneri and Feder, Architects, 1971, 1973
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bluelines of floor plans (#1 to 6), stamped as inspector's official copy. Plan #6 (roof) has the original 1971 plan and the revised 1973 plan, with related amendment application filed with the Department of Buildings.
Safety First Products Corp., 1973
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bluelines of plans for the fire protection system.
Certificate of Occupancy (#73963), 1973 November 12
Front Steps Railing (1 of 2), 1974-1975
Scope and Contents Note
Includes proposals and drawings by P.A. Fiebiger, Inc. for iron railings for the main entrance stairs and vestibule stair. Includes approval and permit card from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The two drawings by Fiebiger were moved to the following oversize drawer.
Front Steps Railing (2 of 2). Oversize, 1974-1975
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two whiteprints of drawings by P.A. Fiebiger, Inc. for proposed iron railings for main entrance stair and vestibule stair.
Meyer, Strong & Jones, 1974-1975
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plans and progress prints drawn by the mechanical & electrical engineers of riser diagrams, halon system, storage rooms, book stacks, wiring, and schedules. Also includes one plan drawn by Fire Controls Inc. related to halon release.
Fire Controls, Inc., 1975
Scope and Contents Note
Includes floor layouts, riser diagrams, and smoke detection system wiring diagram.
J & J Fire Safety Corp., 1975
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one blueline plan of control system with sequence of operation.
Morse & Harvey, Architects, 1980 November
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two sheets of a blueline plan for a museum staff lounge.
Library Conservation Studio, Undated (1980s?)
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two bluelines of plans, electrical and elevations, by an unidentified drafter.
[Exhibition Spaces in Corridors and Library?], 1983
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two untitled drawings by an unidentified drafter.
Charles E. Broudy & Associates, Architects, 1985
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bluelines of plans for the Museum Store, including 4 sheets issued for bid, a floor plan, and a rendering of the view from the door.
Welton Becket Associates, Architects & Engineers, 1986
Scope and Contents Note
Includes eight sheets of plans for the basement level Tiffany Center, including plans of location, demolition, construction, reflected ceiling, details, electrical, finishes, and furniture.
Welton Becket Associates, Architects & Engineers, 1986
Scope and Contents Note
Includes bluelines and photocopies of plans for a painting storage room. See also the storage room plans below in the folder attributed to Skidmore Owens.
[Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM)?], 1988-1989
Scope and Contents Note
Includes drawings for storage rooms for objects, painting, and paper. See also the Welton Becket Associates folder above.
D.M.C. Hopping, 1987-1989
Scope and Contents Note
Includes blueline plans for the Luman Reed Gallery, including elevations of the gallery and doorways, details, floor plans, and windows.
Paintings Conservation Lab Construction Photographs, 1988-1989
Schematic for Auditorium Audiovisual System, 1989
Luman Reed Gallery. Door Panel Templates, [1989]
"Safety First" Poster, 1990s?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three construction site posters used by Clayton Wilson Construction, Inc. to post site-specific emergency information.
Objects Conservation Lab, 1993-1995
Library Office & Reading Room Renovations, 2001-2002
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various documents related to the renovation, including a compact storage survey, plans for compact storage by architects Beyer Blinder Belle, and a schedule by Westerman Construction Company.
Reading Room Floor Plan, 2006 November
Comtec Comprehensive Fire Technologies. Fire Suppression System Training and Maintenance Manual for Print Room, [2006]
Platt Byard Dovell White, Architects. Architecture for the Strategic Plan, 2006 November 9
Scope and Contents Note
Includes hard-copy proposal and a CD.
Platt Byard Dovell White, Architects. Phase V Capital Program-Cellar Plan, 2007 March 2
Platt Byard Dovell White, Architects. Proposed East Elevation, 2007 March 20
Scope and Contents Note
One mounted drawing of the front (Central Park West) of the building.
Floor Plans, 2007 June, September
Scope and Contents Note
Includes plans of existing and proposed layouts by floor, by an unidentified drafter.
Miscellaneous Design Images and Plans, 2007-2008
Richard Meier & Partners, Architects. Design Proposal, 2007 November 15
Platt Byard Dovell White, Architects. Phase V, Stages1A, 1B, 2A, 2B: Construction Documents, 2008 April 1
Platt Byard Dovell White, Architects. Logistic Plans & Schedule, 2008 May 21
Lee H. Skolnick. Design Renderings, 2007 November 26
Lee H. Skolnick. Design Renderings, 2008 January 8
Lee H. Skolnick. Identification/Signage Kick-Off Meeting, 2008 July 17
Lee H. Skolnick. Identity Study, 2009 July 2
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one mounted rendering of the front entrance (Option 1, Draft 1).
Lee H. Skolnick. DiMenna Children's Museum (4 folders), 2008 July-2010 August
Scope and Contents Note
Includes renderings, concept designs (2009), schematic design (2009), and fabrication documents (2010).
Lee H. Skolnick. DiMenna Children's Museum., 2009?
Scope and Contents Note
Includes one mounted "vision rendering" of the gallery.
Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) Photographic Documentation, 2008-2009
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 17 interior and exterior photographs taken in connection with proposed renovations and in conformance with a Letter of Resolution among N-YHS, the Empire State Development Corporation, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Donna Lawrence Productions. Orientation Theater Experience (5 folders), 2008-2011
Scope and Contents Note
Includes booklets on preliminary treatment (2008), final approved treatment with key storyboard frames (2009), revisions and new design and approved final (2010), preliminary script with key storyboards (2010), and revised script with key storyboard frames (2011).
Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) Photographic Documentation. Auditorium (2 folders), 2010
Scope and Contents Note
Includes 3 sets of 9 photographs each.
Auditorium Plans by Platt Byard Dovell White, 2010 August, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Package 2: Primary Scope. With architectural, structural and mechanical plans.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transfered to Archives, 2020.
Reading Room Renovation, 2011, inclusive
Scope and Contents Note
Includes two proposals with drawings of plans for bookcases, cabinets, and display cases, by Craz Woodworking Associates, Inc. and by Bunny Williams, Inc. (Architect G.P. Schafer).
4th Floor Glass [Tiffany] Gallery & Education Media Center, 2012 February
Scope and Contents
Booklet for Capital Projects, Fiscal Years 2013 & 2014, specifically plans and images covering the 4th floor gallery (by Eva Jiricna, architects) and the education media center (Platt Byard Dovell White, architects).
Poulin + Morris Designs for 4th Floor, 2017 January, inclusive
Scope and Contents
4 sheets: East Corridor/Roy J. Zuckerberg Hall of American Silver (elevation, plan view); East Corridor/Women's History Center (elevation, plan view); John L. & Sue Ann Weinberg Mezzanine (elevation, plan view); and Norman S. Benzaquen Grand Staircase (elevation, plan view).