BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anthony C. Wood, Chair Elizabeth R. Jeffe, Vice-Chair Bradley J. Vogel, Vice-Chair Stephen Facey, Treasurer Lisa Ackerman, Secretary Daniel J. Allen Michele H. Bogart Susan De Vries Kent Diebolt Amy Freitag Shirley Ferguson Jenks Richard J. Moylan Otis Pratt Pearsall Gina Pollara John T. Reddick Anthony W. Robins

NEWSLETTER FALL 2016 Welcome to the 25th edition of the newsletter of the Preservation Archive Project. The mission of the New York Preservation Archive Project is to protect and raise awareness of the narratives of historic preservation in New York. Through public programs, outreach, celebration, and the creation of public access to information, the Archive Project hopes to bring these stories to light.

From left to right: Denise Brown-Puryear, Yvonne Taylor, and Mandingo Tshaka, interviewees in the first phase of Saving Preservation Stories, Courtesy of Liz Strong and Leyla Vural Diversity Project Expanding! Oral History Project Focused on Diverse Preservation Stories Receives Additional Funding The New York Preservation Archive Project Archive Project’s oral history collection so is pleased to announce the expansion of that it reflects a more complete and diverse 2016 Bard Birthday the oral history project Saving Preservation narrative of preservation in . Breakfast Benefit Stories: Diversity & the Outer Boroughs. Over the past year interviewers visited every Honoring Robert A.M. Stern Made possible through a grant from the borough in the City to interview community with our Preservation Award LuEsther T. Mertz Fund of the New York members who have worked tirelessly to and featuring a Community Trust, this expansion will allow preserve the history and architecture of Conversation on Preservation with the Archive Project to record additional sites and neighborhoods important to them Robert A.M. Stern & Anne H. Van Ingen oral histories that capture key memories and their communities. These interviews, of preservation campaigns significant to recorded in high-quality audio and video December 14, 2016 minority communities as well as those in and transcribed, are now available to the 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. the boroughs outside of . public on our website (www.nypap.org). Yale Club 50 The first phase of Saving Preservation Stories By expanding Saving Preservation Stories the Tickets range from $75-$500 was launched in 2015 as an effort to Archive Project will continue to create strengthen the comprehensiveness of the a more inclusive public record of the See pages 6-7 for more details.

Page 1 preservation movement, one that deepens home, in St. Nicholas Park, and expanding public appreciation and understanding the Hamilton Heights Historic District to NYPAP in the of minority involvement in preservation. include Sugar Hill in the early 2000s. The Archive Project is also working to plan a series of programs within these and Last Classroomspring, Anthony C. Wood, founder Denise Brown-Puryear Deborah underrepresented communities to raise and chair of the Archive Project, Young co-founded the Crown Heights Matthew Coody, the organization’s awareness of the availability of the records North Association in 2001 to advocate for executive director, and Oral History created through this project, highlight the the preservation of the historic buildings Coordinator Liz Strong visited project’s success, celebrate in these diverse of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, as well as Brooklyn College to deliver a lecture as communities the power and importance revitalization, housing stabilization, and part of a public history course entitled of their own history, and inspire a drive the economic and cultural enhancement “The Public Past.” Over the semester, to document that history. The planning of its residents. Since that time they have students are taught about oral history, process for these programs is sponsored by led successful campaigns to create three historic house museums, community a Vision Grant from the New York Council designated historic districts in the area that history, and via the Archive Project’s for the Humanities. include many homes built as early as the presentation, about the intersection 1870s. of all those subjects through the lens Six interviewees were recorded during of historic preservation. Students the first phase of Saving Preservation Sam Goodman is an urban planner for learned about the significant work the Stories. Mandingo Tshaka is a longtime the Bronx Borough President’s Office and Archive Project does in protecting community activist in Queens who a native of the Grand Concourse, a major valuable primary source documents advocated for the archaeological survey and thoroughfare in the Bronx flanked by many and collecting oral histories and also proper recognition of the Olde Towne of of the finest examples of Art Deco and enjoyed excerpts of our recent oral Flushing Burial Ground. The burial ground Art Moderne architecture in the United history interviews. The class became dates back to the 1840s and the majority of States. Initially the area was populated engaged with the material by mapping the nearly 1,000 people interred there are predominately by middle-class Jewish and and discussing historically valuable of African-American and Native-American Italian immigrants, but later, with suburban places in their own neighborhoods. descent. flight, slum clearance, and other urban After the lecture, one student policies, the area became largely African commented that “The places we grew Yvonne Taylor is a founding member American and Puerto Rican American. In up with are being erased, and I think of the Sandy Ground Historical Society the 1960s and ’70s most buildings along the the presentation made it clear why in Staten Island, which was formed in Grand Concourse were damaged by arson, that feels so terrible. It’s our personal the 1970s to promote the history of the vandalism, and a lack of maintenance. history being erased…others will Sandy Ground community and work for Through the efforts of Goodman, hopefully use the stories [the Archive the preservation of its structures, some among others, the Grand Concourse was Project is collecting] as blueprints and of which are New York City landmarks. designated a New York City historic district as inspiration.” Sandy Ground was built by free blacks in in 2011. the decades before the Civil War, and some This year the Archive Project has also believe it to be the oldest continuously- While the New York Preservation Archive given presentations at the Briarcliff held settlement established by free blacks Project has begun to achieve significant Manor-Scarborough Historical Society in North America. Yvonne Taylor’s house advances in capturing this relatively and Stuyvesant High School, and will is the oldest remaining building in Sandy undocumented piece of preservation lecture at the Fashion Institute of Ground, constructed some time before history in New York City, we are eager to Technology in October. Additionally, 1859 and designated a New York City continue collecting these inspiring stories. the Archive Project team has been landmark in 2011. Like all of the oral histories the organization invited to make a presentation at two captures, the materials created through the conferences this fall: the National Trust is the current president for Historic Preservation’s conference Ronald Melichar project, such as final transcripts and audio taking place in Houston, TX, and of the Hamilton Heights-West Harlem recordings, will be made public through the “Preservation in the US: 50 Years On,” Community Preservation Organization, website. the Noreen Stonor Drexel Cultural which, among other quality of life issues, and Historic Preservation Conference deals with the preservation of West If you have any suggestions for potential presented by Salve Regina University Harlem’s architecture and its historical interviewees for this expansion of Saving and the Newport Restoration and cultural significance spanning from Preservation Stories or other resources that Foundation. We look forward to these the Revolutionary War to the Harlem can help make this oral history project opportunities to inspire the current and Renaissance. In 2008, Melichar was active an even greater success, please contact next generation of preservationists! in securing a new location for Hamilton Matthew Coody at [email protected] or Grange, Alexander Hamilton’s former 212-988-8379.

Page 2 Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders on top of San Juan Hill, July 1898, Courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division The Surprises & Rewards of Archival Research By Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe, Vice-Chair

For years, in a variety of ways, I have used the Chairman’s Column to promote the idea that advancing the mission of the New York Preservation Archive Project—i.e., to document, preserve, and celebrate the history of preservation—is essential to the ongoing health and success of the preservation movement. In order to amplify that message and underscore the importance of preserving archives, particularly those archives that are preservation-related, from time to time I will be inviting others who share these beliefs to be guest writers for my column. I am delighted that in this, the first of these features, Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe, one of the Archive Project’s Vice-Chairs and the editor of our newsletter, shares her personal passion for archives. Read on and enjoy! - Anthony C. Wood, Founder & Chair

When our chair, Anthony C. Wood, asked to my work and a source of great personal fully, in part precisely because the contents me to be a guest contributor to his column, enjoyment and enrichment. of archives are by no means limited to the he suggested that I draw on my background papers and objects of famous people. In as a historian, writer, and preservationist to Because they are goldmines of primary fact, just the opposite is often true. Perusing discuss the role that archives play in my life. materials, archives go far beyond what is materials in a local historical society might That is an easy topic to address—I can say available in secondary sources, making it lead a researcher to a farmer’s diary, or a bill without hesitation that archives are essential possible to illuminate more history more of sale for a household item, or a collection

Page 3 of letters written by ordinary people but spent time in the Museum’s archives doing actual correspondence from Roosevelt, a rich in details about daily life that are sorely research for articles for the publication. regimental song, and other memorabilia absent from history books. Indeed, archives My purpose was twofold: to share with our such as an invitation to Roosevelt’s funeral weave the threads that sew together the past, readers some of the interesting information, service and a luncheon menu from a Rough present, and future, giving us fascinating items, and visual resources that are housed Riders’ reunion at the Harvard Club, the insights into what has gone before, a better in the collections, much of which would be scrapbook transported me in time and sense of how the present came to be, and otherwise unknown to the general public, enhanced my understanding of this era in a clearer vision of what the future might and to uncover new historical information. United States history. When an archival hold.* In two cases, what I found in the archives treasure like this unique scrapbook is written was so unexpected that I changed the focus about, readers can view history through As numerous articles in past issues of the of my articles as a result. a personal lens. Hence, my exploration in Archive Project newsletter have shown, the archives became a catalyst to a new and archives come in many types and sizes. For one issue of the Courant, I was thinking more significant historical narrative than the Owners occasionally house them privately, of writing about Theodore Roosevelt, a New one I had originally planned. but generally museums, libraries, educational York City native who was at various times a institutions, organizations, and historical candidate for mayor, a state legislator, and A similar experience occurred when I societies hold them. Increasingly, many governor before ascending to the presidency. was considering writing about the Ethel archival records, including visual images, are When I asked an archivist at the Museum Merman collection of scrapbooks donated now available digitally. Archives are valuable about what the collections held on “TR,” by that famed singer to the Museum. A to a variety of researchers, from historians she suggested that I study a scrapbook called biography of Merman had been released and preservationists, to urban planners the “Theodore Roosevelt Scrapbook.” After fairly recently that was based heavily on and genealogists. And the use of archives poring over its pages with postings from the the legendary performer’s scrapbooks, so I is not the province of the few; members late 19th and early 20th centuries, I realized was concerned about the originality of my of the general public who simply want to that my story would be about the man who article. But my problem was solved quickly learn more about a topic can spend many kept the scrapbook, Charles E. Knoblauch. after spending time studying the portion a pleasurable hour hunting down whatever Knoblauch, a New Yorker and stockbroker, of Merman’s scrapbooks covering her role interests them in a particular collection. Just fought with Roosevelt as a Rough Rider in as Annie Oakley in the musical Annie Get the act of handling an artifact such as an old the Spanish-American War and remained Your Gun. Because of the story’s link with letter or photograph can be very exciting! in touch with him until Roosevelt’s death Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, a subject I had in 1919. The fragile memory book required written about while in graduate school, I Because they are predominantly primary careful handling, but it thrilled me to thought it would be helpful to see what the sources, archives unveil valuable information know that I was holding an album of Museum possessed on the real Buffalo Bill that is often previously unknown to the memories collected a century ago by its (William F. Cody). It turned out that there public, enriching our understanding of a owner. Filled with old newspaper clippings, were boxes of wonderful resources on topic or person. Perhaps most crucially, a visit to an archival collection often opens new doors of exploration by creating hitherto unknown links between people, places, and events. In fact, I have at times found archival research so addictive that I have spent days and even weeks “” in a collection, compelled to move from one hitherto unknown fascinating connection to another. There’s always the promise of that “next thing” waiting to be discovered.

In recent years, while serving as the editor of the Museum of the City of New York’s research journal, City Courant, I consistently

*Although the term “archives” usually refers to paper items such as diaries, ledgers, and letters, legal documents and the like, and “collections” refers to a broader range of artifacts such as objects, for the purposes of this article, I will use “archives” in a comprehensive sense, just as the Archive Project and Page from the Official Souvenir Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough many institutions do. Riders of the World, 1896. Museum of the City of New York. F2014.45.1

Page 4 renowned artists buried there as well as depictions of the cemetery itself. Every visit to immerse myself in Green-Wood’s archives enriches my understanding of the cemetery’s complex story and helps me to find ways to envision its future.

So, you might ask, what does all this have to do with preservation? The answer is, a great deal! Preservationists, contrary to the portrait sometimes painted of us, are hardly quirky folk who blindly Robert A. & Elizabeth R. Jeffe, Courtesy of the admire the past and remain stuck Robert A. & Elizabeth R. Jeffe Foundation there. We are a vibrant lot, with Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe at Green-Wood Cemetery, studying a 19th- an eye to safeguarding the future. century document, Courtesy of the Archive Project This is why saving the story of Buffalo Bill, including a marvelous souvenir preservation through archive creation and Announcing book that showed how Buffalo Bill’s maintenance is part of the Archive Project’s success depended on the latest technology mission. We encourage all preservation the Jeffe and urban developments in order to be groups and activists in New York City successful in bringing a show about the (and beyond) to do so, and with good Fellowship “Old West” to mass audiences. I shifted my reason. Preservationists can use materials Due to special grant funding story line, relying heavily on the data in the in archives to celebrate the past; we can also from the Robert A. & Elizabeth souvenir book. The article was a joy to write, use them to recognize losses and learn from R. Jeffe Foundation, the New and Ethel Merman’s role as Annie Oakley those experiences. Preservation archives York Preservation Archive Project became, literally, a sidebar. educate us, inspire us, and are essential to has created a new year-long the sharing process so necessary to make fellowship position that will focus In another archives-related endeavor, as preservation in New York a vital experience on implementing standards of a board member of The Green-Wood and a team effort. By preserving everything Cemetery, I am incredibly excited about this from correspondence and protest signs organization and accessibility for the cultural institution’s major initiative to create to video footage and ephemera, we can Archive Project’s archival and oral a new Visitors Center and an adjoining create roadmaps of previous preservation history collections. archives facility. Blessed with a plethora campaigns and pick out what strategies, of archival materials, Green-Wood is now contacts, and people emerged as critical in a Among other important work, the assessing new and better ways to organize, battle—and why. Jeffe Fellow will deal primarily with house, and preserve its holdings. Since I also a backlog in the processing of oral serve as a member of the group supported The Archive Project is itself an archival history records, which necessitates by The National Endowment for the source through its website, offering oral tasks ranging from securing missing Humanities for the cemetery’s project, Gone histories, a preservation history database, and release forms to audit-editing But Not Forgotten: Digitizing the 177-Year-Old a resource library. The Archive Project has interview transcripts for accurancy Legacy of New York City’s Green-Wood Cemetery, I also worked to assist organizations to better and consistency. The ultimate goal have been spending time in the Green-Wood organize and protect their archives through will be to complete the final steps archives, as have the other team members, grants from the Archival Assistance Fund. in preparing up to 30 oral histories each of whom brings a unique set of skills Our mantra has been, and will continue to for publication on the organization’s and insights to the endeavor. I have enjoyed be, save, save, save your preservation story website (www.nypap.org), where looking at various records associated with for posterity! No battle is too small! Let’s they will join the larger collection cemetery business going back to its founding do all we can to make sure that our vital in 1838, studying interment records, reading preservation story is saved—and used—as that currently resides there. accounts from old books and newspapers it should be! clippings, learning about the many famous We are immensely grateful for “permanent residents” of the cemetery, Please note that the Museum of the City of New the support of the Jeffes and all and gaining an appreciation for Green- York’s collections are accessible by appointment that they do to make the Archive Wood’s art collection which comprises only. Please contact [email protected] Project’s important work possible. two categories of works: those created by for more information.

Page 5 2016 Bard Birthday

PreservationBreakfast Award to be Bestowed upon Robert A.M.Benefit Stern at this Year’s Benefit

Few New Yorkers have The breakfast will also feature contributed more to the cause Mr. Stern in conversation with of preserving preservation’s Anne H. Van Ingen, a fellow own history than architect preservation advocate. The and author Robert A.M. Archive Project hopes that Stern. His monumental five- you will join us for this special volume New York book series event. captures and meticulously documents the architecture, The Bard Birthday Breakfast development, and urbanism Benefit, the Archive Project's of New York City from just signature fundraising event, is after the Civil War to the held each year to memorialize millennium, including decades civic figure Albert S. Bard of preservation efforts. (1866-1963) on what would Whether it is preservationists’ have been his birthday. This battle with city planner Robert year, in fact, would have Moses over Castle Clinton been his 150th birthday and or the campaign to save Two we have special plans for , thanks to this event to commemorate Stern’s efforts New Yorkers his sesquicentennial! Bard can read about some of the was a leader in working to most significant moments in protect the aesthetic values local preservation history. The of special places, drafting the New York series has helped to New York State legislation fill a gap in the narrative of our which authorized New York City’s history and has become City's Landmarks Law and an invaluable resource for advocating for City Beautiful those seeking to understand concerns ranging from preservation in New York billboard control to zoning. City before and after the passage of the Landmarks Also a man of many Law. Above all, New York has hats, Robert A.M. Stern given preservationists the is a practicing architect, empowering gift of their own teacher, writer, committed story. preservationist, one of the Robert A.M. Stern, Courtesy of Robert A.M. Stern Architects foremost historians of New Therefore, the New York York City's architecture and Preservation Archive Project can imagine no Spielvogel for her long career promoting urbanism, and an early and ardent advocate better recipient for its Preservation Award— preservation, including spearheading the for the preservation of 20th-century created to honor outstanding contributions 50th anniversary celebration of New York buildings: his "35 Modern Landmarks-in- to the documentation, preservation, and City’s Landmarks Law. Stern’s award will be Waiting" was published in The New York celebration of the history of preservation presented at the Thirteenth Annual Bard Times in November 1996. Founder and in New York City—than Mr. Stern. This Birthday Breakfast Benefit, to be held at the Senior Partner of the 300-person New will be the second such award, the first Yale Club (50 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York York-based Robert A.M. Stern Architects, awarded in 2015 to Barbaralee Diamonstein- City) on the morning of December 14th. Stern served as Dean of the Yale School

Page 6 of Architecture from 1998 to 2016. Before New York State. She also sits on the boards returning to Yale, where he earned his of Pratt Institute, the Adirondack Museum, Master of Architecture degree in 1965, he and the James Marston Fitch Charitable was Director of the Historic Preservation Foundation, and is the President of the Program at the Graduate School of St. Regis Foundation, a land trust in the Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Adirondacks. In addition, she is an Adjunct Columbia University. Stern continues to be Assistant Professor at Columbia University. an influential proponent of the importance From 1983 until 2010 she was the Director of preservation’s past, and the Archive of the Architecture, Planning & Design Project is thrilled to present him with its Program and Capital Projects at the New Preservation Award. York State Council on the Arts. Prior to that she ran a preservation consulting business 2016 Bard After the award ceremony, Mr. Stern will be and worked for several not-for-profits joined in conversation with Anne H. Van and public agencies. She also served as an Birthday Ingen. Ms. Van Ingen is the Chairman of Advisor to the National Trust for Historic the Board of the Preservation League of Preservation from 1999 to 2008. Breakfast Benefit Honoring Robert A.M. Stern with our Preservation Award and featuring a Conversation between Stern and Anne H. Van Ingen

December 14, 2016 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Yale Club 50 Vanderbilt Avenue

Tickets: Sesquicentennial Co-Chair: $500 Benefit Committee:$300 Benefit Tickets: $150 Student Tickets: $75

To purchase tickets, or if you have any questions about the event, please visit our website (www.nypap.org) or contact Archive Project Executive Director Matthew Coody at [email protected] or 212-988-8379.

Your support of the 2016 Bard Birthday Breakfast Benefit will enable the New York Preservation Archive Project to continue its efforts to record and document the history of the historic preservation movement in New York City. We are very excited about this Cover of New York 1960 featuring the under-construction G.M. Building, which replaced McKim, Mead & White’s upcoming event and sincerely hope you th Savoy- in the 1960s despite much outcry by preservationists, Courtesy of The Monacelli Press will join us on December 14 !

Page 7 Portrait of George McAneny, c. 1913, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

the plan that eventually built half of New Our Public Programs Continue to Celebrate, Educate, & Inspire York City’s subways, sponsored early urban NYPAP Events renewal efforts, helped preserve landmarks such as City Hall and Castle Clinton, and Mark your calendars for New York’s today: George McAneny (1869-1953). In this conceived many of the instruments of Forgotten Master Planner: Rediscovering lecture, Charles Starks, research fellow at the planning and historic preservation that the the Legacy of George McAneny on New York Preservation Archive Project and City, region, and nation still rely on. October 20th at 6:30 p.m. at Federal Hall teacher of urban studies at Hunter College, (26 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005). Co- will explore McAneny’s distinct legacy, This year is the 100th anniversary of the sponsored by the , illuminating past and present conflicts City’s first zoning resolution—an early the National Parks of New York Harbor over planning and preservation. Afterward fruit of McAneny’s long campaign to plan Conservancy, the Manhattan Borough Starks will be joined by Manhattan Borough and regulate development—so it is a fitting Historian’s Office, the Historic Districts Historian Michael Miscione and Anthony time to reconsider his significance as a Council, and the National Trust for Historic C. Wood, founder and chair of the Archive planner, preservationist, and New Yorker. Preservation, this lecture is the first in our Project, in a discussion on the lessons This lecture is the culmination of Starks’s “Unsung Heroes” lecture series focusing that McAneny’s work holds for the City’s research on McAneny, which was funded by on the lasting, though perhaps forgotten, changing built environment today. the Archive Project. Starks drew on material legacies of significant figures in New York from archives around the region to unravel City’s preservation history. McAneny had an extraordinarily diverse the complex legacy of the man whose heavy- and consequential career as a public official handed tactics ripped through the City’s Since the publication of Robert Caro’s and advocate. He was elected Manhattan ethnic neighborhoods in the 1910s but was The Power Broker over 40 years ago, public Borough President and President of the lauded as a hero a generation later for saving discussion of the shaping of New York has Board of Aldermen, and led, at various times, the Battery and helping found the National been dominated by the impact of that book’s the City Club, The Municipal Art Society, the Trust for Historic Preservation. A complete subject, Robert Moses. But during much of Regional Plan Association, and the American monograph by Starks on McAneny will soon Moses’s lifetime, the City’s most celebrated Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, be available in the “Resources” section of planner was a man who is little remembered among other groups. McAneny negotiated Archive Project’s website.

Page 8 Lastly, the Archive Project feels it is fitting incisive scrutiny to issues including landmark to properly store, handle, and preserve to be hosting the lecture at Federal Hall, designation, zoning, new construction, and collections of papers, photographs, an 1830s neoclassical building that stands the creation of parkways. memorabilia, and ephemera for future on the site where George Washington was generations. Whether your collection is inaugurated as president. McAneny helped to Join us for an exploration of this personal, related to a specific preservation designate Federal Hall as a national historic influential New Yorker, a man considered campaign, or part of a larger organizational shrine in 1939 (the first historic building in a preservationist but who had a complex collection, this workshop will offer a major city to be so designated under the relationship with the movement. Janet productive and hands-on insight into 1935 Historic Sites Act), and then became Marks, who manages the Weinberg archive taking the first steps towards stabilizing and chairman of the Federal Hall Memorial at Long Island University, and Andy Lanset, protecting it. Associates, a group that operated a historical Director of Archives at the New York Public museum in the building. Radio, where Weinberg’s radio recordings Part of the Archive Project’s mission is to * * * are held, will join Archive Project founder document and protect the history of the The next installment in the “Unsung and chair Anthony C. Wood for an evening preservation movement in order to ensure Heroes” lecture series will focus on planner that will rescue Weinberg’s life and work that an accurate account of the movement and architect Robert C. Weinberg (1901- from obscurity. Stay tuned for more details! is made available for posterity. Assisting in 1974). Pioneer of Planning: Robert C. * * * properly archiving the papers and documents Weinberg’s Unabashed Urbanism will The Archive Project is teaming up with of preservationists and organizations is delve into Weinberg’s life-long devotion the Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) to paramount in this mission so we are thrilled to improving New York City and his offer a Preserving Your Personal Papers to be partnering with BHS to present this influence on the development of historic Workshop on Thursday, December 1st at educational program. Tickets are $20 and preservation. Considered a pioneer of city 6:30 p.m. BHS Archivist John Zarillo will can be purchased through the BHS’s website planning, a fledgling profession in the 1930s, guide attendees through the tools needed (www.brooklynhistory.org). Weinberg fostered a decades-long devotion to design, architecture, and preservation. His keen intellect and razor-sharp personality were often at odds with his planning contemporaries, including the politically powerful Robert Moses (Moses even ousted Weinberg from the City’s Department of Parks because Weinberg remained steadfast in principles of design that ran counter to Moses’s).

Fascinated by aesthetic regulation and the role government could play in advancing the beauty of a community, Weinberg was part of numerous preservation campaigns throughout his lifetime, advocating for the protection of areas such as Greenwich Village, Riverdale, Inwood Hill Park, and the Bronx’s Spuyten Duyvil, and such sites as , Pennsylvania Station, Washington Square, and Jefferson Market Courthouse. Countless letters, editorials, and other writings attest to his zeal for improving and preserving the City. In 1956, while a member of The Municipal Art Society, he engaged in an effort to “consider ways and means of having the Bard Act implemented with respect to New York City,” which is now considered one of the first steps towards the Landmarks Law. In 1968 Weinberg became the critic- at-large of architecture and planning for WNYC, New York’s municipal radio station, regularly giving two talks a week that offered Robert C. Weinberg, Courtesy of Long Island University Brooklyn Campus Library Archives

Page 9 Stewardship Society Last spring the Stewardship Society went on inimitable experiences to our Stewardship a rare tour of the Public Design Commission Society, which consists of our most devoted Archive and the agency’s newly renovated benefactors who annually contribute $500 offices atop City Hall. The archive contains or more in general support. Because our drawings, photographs, and architectural work could not be undertaken without our The Columns Club at 101 Spring Street, plans from over 7,000 works of art and generous donors, the Society was created to Courtesy of the Archive Project architecture proposed for City-owned celebrate these supporters with a series of property over the past 114 years. unique tours at institutional archives and private collections throughout New York Join the Now Stewards are in for another enlightening experience. On Columns Club! November 10th they will walk in the Have you joined the Columns Club footsteps of the world’s greatest on one of their absorbing behind- leaders during a private tour of the-scenes tours yet? The latest outing the United Nations Headquarters was at famed minimalist artist Donald (UN). Perched along the East Judd’s spectacular former home and River, the remarkable modernist studio at 101 Spring Street. Judd buildings of the UN house the purchased the five-story cast-iron intergovernmental organization building in 1968, renovated it, and with the substantial mission installed museum-quality artworks, of promoting international furniture, and decorative objects cooperation. Designed in the that strike a balance between a great 1940s by the most renowned respect for the historic fabric of international architects of the day, this landmark and Judd’s innovative including Wallace K. Harrison, Le approaches to interior design. Today Corbusier, and Oscar Niemeyer, 101 Spring Street has been preserved the UN is both an architectural as Judd left it upon his death in 1994. and cultural landmark.

This guided visit to 101 Spring Street The complex recently underwent offered the Columns Club a direct a meticulous $1 billion interior engagement with Donald Judd’s art and exterior renovation, the first and vision. Afterward the group since opening in 1952, to help retired for a cocktail across the street restore the buildings’ original at Fanelli Cafe, considered New York appearances, increase security, and HABS photograph of United Nations Secretariat Building, Courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division City’s second-oldest food-and-drink improve energy efficiency (along establishment in the same locale, with removing asbestos and decades of City. Since its launch, the Society has held having operated under various cigarette smoke coating the walls). Because private viewings of archival treasures at such owners since 1847. of the institution’s vast archives, original locations as , the Explorers colors and materials could be reinstalled and Club, and the Armory. The Columns Club consists of many of the fixtures and furnishings have supporters ages 21 to 40 who donate been returned to the look they had when $75 or more annually and are invited the building first opened. Werner Schmidt, We hope that you will consider becoming a Steward to special tours of historic places, from the Office of the Under-Secretary- of the New York Preservation Archive Project and archives, and exhibitions throughout General for Management of the United thus a steward of the history of New York City’s New York City. Nations Headquarters, will lead attendees preservation movement. To join the Society, please through the complex, explaining the history contact Matthew Coody at [email protected] If you are interested in joining this hearty and architecture in the context of this or 212-988-8379, or just note “Stewardship crew of urban explorers, please contact Brad renovation, completed last year. Society” on your donation check or Vogel at [email protected] or Matthew online contribution. Coody at [email protected]. The Archive Project is pleased to offer such

Page 10 Preservation History in Quotes “We have won an important legislative battle but it is not the end of the Landmark’s war by any means. Vigilance is the price of preservation.” – Edward Finch, Counsel, The Municipal Art Society, June 1965

It might seem prescient that Edward Finch’s creation of the New York City Landmarks without vigilance, the law’s ability to actually admonition, “Vigilance is the price of Preservation Commission as the completion preserve New York City’s landmarks cannot preservation,” was delivered on the heels of of their preservation agenda. Noting that be assured. The law is only as good as citizens what is arguably the greatest victory in the MAS might choose to “rest on its oars” he demand it to be. Preservation requires history of preservation in New York City: wisely counseled that instead, it should be vigilance. Is that too high a price to pay for the signing of the Landmarks Law by Mayor encouraged “to greater efforts.” He knew safeguarding our architectural, historical, Robert Wagner on April 19, 1965. Given that in a very real sense the law codified the and cultural treasures? Fortunately, for half preservation’s ongoing struggles, Finch was importance and need for citizen advocacy a century, preservationists have taken action very much on point. Finch, counsel for The in the landmark process. Finch’s words are to say “no.” Municipal Art Society (MAS) at the time, as relevant today as when he wrote them 50 wanted to make sure that members of MAS years ago. Without constant vigilance the Contributed by Anthony C. Wood, did not regard the passage of the law and the Landmarks Law itself could be lost, and Founder & Chair

Personifying Finch’s call to vigilance, Margot Gayle is pictured here campaigning to save the Jefferson Market Courthouse in 1961, Courtesy of H.J. Fields/The New York Public Library

Page 11 NYPAP News The Archive Project has nearly completed Through the Legal Lens: Interviews with Lawyers Who Shaped NYC’s Landmarks Law. This oral history project, funded in part through a grant from the Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation, documents the experiences of individuals who have been pivotal actors in the changing landscape of New York City’s Landmarks Law. The oral histories we have collected, as well as a how-to manual on oral history projects that was created in Video still of Gabriel Taussig in the Through the Legal Lens video, Courtesy of the Archive Project conjunction with this initiative and a video highlighting the project, are now available via our website (www. nypap.org). The Archive Project plans to capture one more interview in the New Videos Online series this fall. The New York Preservation Archive Project presentations at additional conferences this is excited to announce the creation of new fall, including that of the National Trust Rave reviews have been flooding in “teaser” videos made from the footage for Historic Preservation this November in for our newly redesigned website, recorded as part of Saving Preservation Stories: Houston, TX, and also plans to undertake a which was launched this spring with a Diversity & the Outer Boroughs and Through the series of local public programs over the next more user-friendly interface and more Legal Lens: Interviews with Lawyers Who Shaped year to highlight these oral history initiatives. appealing visuals. There has been a NYC’s Landmarks Law. These oral history This series will feature a selection of marked increase in inquiries about initiatives are capturing key memories interviewees in a moderated panel discussion the resources, archival assistance, and of preservation campaigns significant to to speak on their efforts and the benefits internships we provide. minority communities as well as those of of undertaking oral histories to document NYPAP board members Elizabeth influential legal figures in the evolution their stories. The goal of this series is to Rohn Jeffe and Richard J. Moylan of New York City’s Landmarks Law. The highlight the success of these projects and were recently appointed to a panel videos are available on YouTube and due to inspire local communities and individuals to at The Green-Wood Cemetery in the recent redesign of the Archive Project’s begin documenting their own history. Make a project funded by The National website, can now be featured prominently in sure to visit our website (www.nypap.org) or Endowment of the Humanities. the Oral History Collection section of the YouTube page to view the videos! organization’s website (www.nypap.org). (Jeffe is a board member of Green- * * * Last fall the Preservation League of Wood, and Moylan is its president.) The Archive Project hopes that these New York State presented its most Entitled Gone But Not Forgotten: engaging videos will tempt both serious prestigious award, the Pillar of New York, Digitizing the 177-Year-Old Legacy of researchers and more casual browsers to the former chairs of New York City’s New York City’s Green-Wood Cemetery, to delve into these collections of newly Landmarks Preservation Commission for this effort enables project members captured stories. The videos will also be their contributions as stewards of the City’s to review the Cemetery’s massive incorporated into future public programs extraordinary Landmarks Law. The honorees institutional archive and consider the and conference sessions to deepen the were Kent Barwick, Laurie Beckelman, Gene potential research opportunities that public’s appreciation and understanding of A. Norman, Sherida Paulsen, Jennifer Raab, its documents offer, ranging from preservation in New York City and inspire Beverly Moss Spatt, and Robert Tierney. public health studies and demographic similar efforts in advancing our field. This In conjunction with this award ceremony research to genealogical and historical May, the Archive Project used the Saving the Preservation League created a video investigation. After studying the Preservation Stories video to illustrate a session documenting the legacies of each of these collection from multi-disciplinary on how to plan, fund, capture, and share chairs and a brief history of the work of the perspectives, members of the team oral history narratives at the 2016 Statewide Commission over the last 50 years. View this will make recommendations for a plan Preservation Conference in Albany, NY. inspiring video on the Preservation League’s for the archives’ digitization. The Archive Project will use the videos in YouTube page.

Page 12 Book Review Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s House by Lisa Ackerman, Secretary, New York Preservation Archive Project

Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s Miracle on Fourth Street chronicles the league George Chapman and architect Joseph House by Mary L. Knapp is an inspiring look of champions from Chapman, who is Roberto, who completed a restoration in at the way in which history is championed portrayed as the enthusiastic savior of the the 1970s. Together, these archives—made for the benefit of us all. For those who house, to an array of notable New York up of ephemera, architectural drawings, doubt the importance of saving historic City architects, conservators, decorators, and photographs, slides, newspaper clippings, places, the book may seem an unnecessary philanthropists who took on the heavy tasks phone logs, guest registers, member rolls, and contribution to a reading correspondence—contain list. Those people would more than 50 years of be mistaken. Knapp has history during the building’s chronicled a fascinating tale restoration and second life of the randomness of what as a historic house museum. gets saved and how it is a true This history includes the miracle that a house lived in struggle to survive during by one family across two the difficult times of the generations is now a thriving mid-20th-century in the East house museum in New York Village and the house’s 1960s City. Indeed, the author designation as a New York notes that the Tredwell City landmark. Through family might be surprised this grant-funded project, that their lack of interest in the Museum was able to renovating and modernizing guarantee the long-term the house, coupled with their preservation of this material penchant to save everything, while also making it more is now delighting curators, accessible for researchers conservators, and visitors. (including Mary L. Knapp). These materials can now The Merchant’s House also be safely displayed and Museum is a portal to the used in exhibitions and life of the Tredwell family, as educational programming. well as a barometer through which we can judge the Today the house welcomes evolving nature of the East visitors and has been Village. As Knapp notes, the recognized over the years for family’s patriarch Seabury its inventive programs, but Tredwell lived from 1780 the book makes clear that the to 1865 and occupied the path from 1936 to 2016 was house on Fourth Street not an easy one. And yet, the with his family from 1835 Cover of Miracle on Fourth Street: Saving an Old Merchant’s House, Courtesy of Girandole Books extensive archival research into the early decades of evident in the book shows the 20th century. After the death of Seabury of preserving the house and presenting it to that those striving to preserve the house Tredwell’s youngest daughter, Gertrude, the public. The Archive Project is intimately over the decades have given us a legacy that George Chapman, a great-nephew, prevented familiar with some of these figures because is much more than the physical structure of the house from being sold and undertook an the Merchant’s House Museum has been the the house. It is a compelling narrative of the initial restoration. The house opened to the recipient of two of our Archival Assistance Tredwells and those champions who would public as a museum in 1936 and has been in Fund grants that helped the Museum process not be stopped in their quest to help us continuous operation since then. and re-house the institutional archives of remember why places matter.

Page 13 Papert Koenig Lois worked with a broad range of clients, from Xerox to Robert F. Kennedy’s 1964 Senate Campaign. The In Memoriam successful agency grew to 200-employees forgotten. As NYSID began to contemplate and is often cited as an inspiration for Don a show and publication on New York City’s Draper’s firm on . Having achieved interior landmarks (the designation of a lasting reputation, Papert Koenig Lois was which was authorized through vital 1973 ultimately disbanded in 1969. amendments to the law), the planning process led to Michael Brown (thank you, Kent As Fred Papert’s career in advertising came Barwick!). Brown had retired to a farmhouse to a close, he began utilizing his strengths in Dutchess County, NY. Fortunately, he had in public outreach and behind-the-scenes kept boxes of archival material related to his decision-making to great effect in New survey work. These records and numerous York City’s preservation movement. One fascinating conversations with Brown of Papert’s earliest efforts in the field was informed and inspired NYSID’s exhibition the founding and management of Carnegie (available to view at landmarkinteriors.nysid. Hill Neighbors, an organization that was net), which opened with his poignant quote instrumental in rezoning much of the Upper included here. East Side neighborhood to a maximum height of 18 stories. The organization The topic of interior landmarks resonated continues to preserve, protect, and improve with preservationists, interior designers, and the neighborhood today. the public (the show, which lasted only six weeks from March to April 2015, became Beyond Papert’s home base of Carnegie R. Michael Brown; Courtesy of NYSID’s most visited exhibition ever). Hill, he also took a leading civic role across “The story of our lives is written in interiors…how People used the website and good old pencil New York City. Working with Jacqueline we lived, how we worked, how we played, how we and paper to nominate their favorite interiors Kennedy Onassis and Kent Barwick, Papert worshipped. Interiors are much more fragile than for landmark consideration, ensuring that helped lead the effort to preserve Grand exteriors. Just look around and see how many we’ve Brown’s volunteer survey, begun in the Central Terminal from then-owner Penn lost to Sheetrock modernization and demolition.” ’70s, continues today. The show prompted Central Company’s plans to redevelop the discussion and questions such as, what is the landmark. Ultimately, in proving that Penn - R. Michael Brown future of interior landmarks? One thing is Central lacked the economic necessity certain: without Michael Brown, for R. Michael Brown, the only interior designer many of these landmarks, there simply ever appointed to serve on the New York would be no future. City Landmarks Preservation Commission (1978-82), was a passionate advocate Above contributed by Kate Wood, for expanding protection of significant President of Landmark West! interiors. In 1978, he helped spark public outrage against the proposed demolition * * * of by organizing an Frederic Stuart Papert, co-founder exhibition of stunning photographs called of storied advertising agency “Radio City: Keep It Kicking.” (It may well Papert Koenig Lois and prominent have been Brown’s idea for the Rockettes to preservationist, passed away on May 20, form a kickline on the steps of City Hall, in 2016, at the age of 89. Papert was born front of reporters’ clicking cameras, before in Manhattan in 1926 and attended P.S. an important public hearing on Radio City’s 6 on the Upper East Side, enrolling fate.) That same year, he launched a citywide in high school in Miami following his survey, funded by the American Society of family’s move to Florida. Papert studied Interior Designers, of over 700 significant journalism at the University of Missouri New York City interiors in all five boroughs. while also working as a salesman at the Kansas City-based Woolf Brothers And yet, by 2013, when the New York department store. School of Interior Design (NYSID) was invited to participate in planning for the In 1960, the 34-year-old Papert th Fred Papert, left, with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Philip 50 anniversary of New York’s Landmarks started his own advertising agency Johnson in front of Grand Central Terminal in 1977, Law, Brown’s contributions had been all but with Julian Koenig and George Lois. Courtesy of Dave Pickoff/Associated Press

Page 14 required to alter Grand Central Terminal’s original design, Papert helped to insure that the Beaux-Arts masterpiece would not meet a similar lamentable fate as the demolished Pennsylvania Station.

Through his involvement with the Municipal Art Society, where he served as president from 1975 to 1976, Papert was also a key proponent for the conversion of the Farley Post Office into Moynihan Station, as well as halting the proposed construction atop St. Bartholomew’s community house. Papert also served as a board member for the New York Landmarks Conservancy and the Henry Street Settlement.

Founded by Papert in 1976, the Development Corporation is perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments. According U.S. Custom House at Bowling Green from King’s Views of New York c. 1903, to Papert, the company was formed “to Courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division rescue West 42nd Street from four decades Seymour, Sr., another early champion of the solving concrete problems. Although he of misuse and neglect,” with the ultimate City’s preservation movement. Both were said he much preferred books to buildings, goal of recreating “a river-to-river grand attorneys at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett he was a preservationist in all regards. boulevard that would have a major impact in the 1970s, then located at One Battery After leaving Simpson Thacher & Bartlett on the economy of New York City and the Park Plaza, overlooking the newly vacant he became part of a three man trio who tri-state region.” This redevelopment was to U.S. Custom House at Bowling Green. ran Gulf + Western, which later became be based on the restoration of dilapidated Seymour, a founding member of the New Paramount Communications. Ensconced theaters across and the York Landmarks Conservancy (NYLC), in an office at the top of the corporate construction of mixed-use developments. asked Oresman to join him on the board skyscraper headquarters on Columbus As noted by Papert during the “Sages and of the fledgling organization, recently Circle, he provided a berth for Brendan Gill, Stages” speaker series that the New York created under the auspices of the Municipal another preservation giant, and his assistant Preservation Archive Project hosted in 2004, Art Society. NYLC was to serve a role for Susan for many years, although this cadre the feasibility of 42nd Street’s revitalization landmark structures akin to that of the of preservation advocates was later ousted benefited from the clever use of zoning Nature Conservancy in acquiring, leasing, from their perch because of a pernicious which allowed mid-block theaters to transfer and selling property—doing anything legal rodent problem caused by the droppings their air rights. This led to theatrical groups to ensure these structures’ preservation. of the many caged birds in their office. To such as the Shubert Organization, which me, Oresman was a beloved curmudgeon owned several theaters, to gain as much as Playing this all important role, Oresman and a true preservation activist. We should $50-60 million, portions of which they could mobilized many attorneys at Simpson applaud his many preservation victories in reinvest in their theaters and the surrounding Thacher & Bartlett to further the the final quarter of the th20 century. area. The transcript of this forum, which Conservancy’s projects, including the leasing is included in the Archive Project’s online of the U.S. Custom House to advertise its Above contributed by Susan Henshaw Jones, Oral History Collection at www.nypap.org, vacancy; the purchase and long-term leasing Former Ronay Menschel Director of the Museum also includes Papert’s perspective on the of the Fraunces Tavern block through a gift of the City of New York and Former President of politics of preservation, analyzes various from the Vincent Astor Foundation; the the New York Landmarks Conservancy preservation-related publicity campaigns preservation and reuse of the Federal Archive and court battles, and addresses more recent Building in Greenwich Village to create the * * * debates over new construction in Carnegie New York City Historic Properties Fund, At the time of this issue’s printing we Hill and the redevelopment of the far West a multi-million dollar revolving fund that learned of the passing of architect and Side. still functions today; and the preservation preservationist John Belle. The Archive * * * and reuse of the Villard Houses. Oresman Project is fortunate to have completed an One of New York City’s behind-the-scenes remained on the NYLC’s board for 25 years, oral history with Belle and his colleague John preservation warriors in the 1970s through including a term as its chairman. Beyer in 2014. An “In Memoriam” piece the beginning of the 21st century, Donald covering Belle’s significant preservation- Oresman began his journey in this field as Prickly and ornery yet very loyal, Oresman related work will be featured in our spring a trusted young colleague of Whitney North was above all an activist who enjoyed 2017 newsletter.

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YOUR FALL 2016 NEWSLETTER HAS ARRIVED! The Archive Project would like to thank the LuEsther T. Mertz Fund of the New York Community Trust, the New York Council for the Humanities, the Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation, the Windie Knowe Fund, the Achelis Foundation, the Gerry Charitable Trust, the Robert A. & Elizabeth R. Jeffe Foundation, the Kress Foundation, and the Irene Ritter Foundation for their generous support. Our work could not be accomplished without their—and your—contributions. We hope you will consider making a donation to support the documentation and celebration of the history of preservation in New York City. Donations can be made in the form of checks mailed to our office via the enclosed remittance envelope, securely online via PayPal on our website (www.nypap.org), or by credit card over the phone at 212-988-8379.

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