BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anthony C. Wood, Chair Elizabeth R. Jeffe, 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 Anthony W. Robins Bradley J. Vogel Duane A. Watson

NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014 Welcome to the 20th edition of the newsletter of the New York 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.

Kent Barwick protesting Mayor Koch’s proposed changes to the Landmarks Law at a 1988 restaging of the 1962 picket line at Pennsylvania Station, June 29, 1988; Courtesy of Steven Tucker 1965 to 2015 to 2065: Who and What Will Tell the Preservation Story? By Anthony C. Wood, Founder & Chair The multi-year celebration of the 50th and definitive historical analysis, this will of the second 50 years of preservation can anniversary of New York City’s Landmarks be the “first take” on telling the story of be told with even greater thoroughness, Law is building steam. The NYC preservation over the last half-century. accuracy, insight, and excitement. Landmarks50 Alliance, under the dynamic leadership of Barbaralee Diamonstein- How will that story be told? In great part, What do we have to work with to tell the Spielvogel, now involves over 120 the answer depends on the archival material story of the last five decades of preservation organizations, and each of them is hosting and other resources available to inform that in New York City? First, where do we stand a special activity to focus public attention story and make it dynamic and engaging. on the basics—the Sergeant Joe Friday of on the past 50 years of preservation in New Appreciating what we have and what we Dragnet “Just the facts, ma’am” approach York City. Appropriately, as part of this don’t have to tell that story can help instruct to history? We have the public records celebration, there will be efforts to present us in what we should be saving and archiving of what the Landmarks Preservation and analyze the history of the past 50 years. now so that in 2065, when the centennial of Commission has designated. Second, going Though still too fresh for a truly detached the Landmarks Law is celebrated, the story deeper, do we have the basic facts for the

Page 1 preservation efforts behind those and other David Todd, who passed away before the and St. Bartholomew’s. But how many sites, e.g. chronologies of events, lists of project was launched). This collection unknown photographs of less prominent protagonists, accounts of activities? Sadly, it provides a baseline view from that singularly preservation efforts exist in forgotten files is a rare occurrence when a specific episode important preservation perch. We also have or dusty scrapbooks? In an old photo album of preservation advocacy has been dutifully oral histories from leaders of key civic of mine I recently ran across photographs documented during or shortly after the fact, organizations and a range of participants in of the exhibition mounted at the Municipal when information is readily available and a variety of preservation efforts. Many more Art Society in the 1980s as part of the memories still fresh. Good examples of such narratives are needed to fully tell the unsuccessful campaign to have a stretch such efforts are the book The Fight for City story of the last half century, but we have of in Midtown and Suburban Homes and the web resource made a good start. Looking ahead, the task designated a historic district. What photos “Campaign to Preserve 2 Columbus of capturing the voices that will tell the do you have? With cameras now built into Circle: Chronology, Bibliography, Dramatis stories of the next half-century is one we all every possible device, there is no excuse Personae” on the Archive Project website. need to embrace. for not appropriately documenting the next 50 years of preservation history, unless, of This rarity proves that those engaged in Providing great insights, yet rarely available, course, we forget to do so! today’s preservation campaigns and those are first person accounts of preservation who will be involved in tomorrow’s need to efforts. A great example of a new entry in Over the past 50 years, there has been radio add the task of keeping basic accounts of that category is Scott Hand’s and Otis Pratt and television news coverage of key episodes their activities to their already lengthy to- Pearsall’s The Origins of , in preservation history. Surely there must be do lists. Future historians will bless them 1986-1988 (now available on the Archive existing footage somewhere of Jacqueline for even the most rudimentary timelines Project’s website). This 90-page account Kennedy Onassis taking the Landmark of events (meetings, public hearings, press of the earliest days of the efforts to create Express Train II to Albany to testify against coverage, etc.) and an annotated roster of Brooklyn Bridge Park not only rigorously legislation that would have removed religious the key players. For multi-year preservation recounts the events that took place, the properties from the protection of New efforts (and most are) with many players in the drama, and the tenor of the York City’s Landmarks Law. Is there a tape permutations (e.g. designation hearings, times, but also provides insights into the somewhere out there of William Warfield court proceedings, hardship procedures, thinking and strategy behind the scenes. singing “Goin’ Home” at the City Council etc.) a simple chronology will provide future Meticulously documented, this narrative is public hearing on the Dvořák House? What historians an invaluable guide to their efforts. a model other preservationists should be other treasures might be out there? encouraged to emulate. Having access to the facts helps answer There is also the media generated by the the basic questions of “What happened?”; Finally, what do we have to animate campaigns themselves. Remember Tony “When?”; and “Who did what?”; but the preservation stories of the last 50 Schwartz’s “narrowcasting” (messages doesn’t necessarily provide answers to years? Fortunately we have photographs targeted to the key decision-maker in such higher order questions as “What documenting such iconic preservation battles a controversy and aired publicly vs. were they thinking?” To gain that level of as the efforts to save Grand Central Terminal broadcasting aimed at motivating the general understanding one needs public) media efforts access to the thoughts employed on behalf of of the players. When it the battle to save the comes to capturing the Naumburg Bandshell in mental processes of ? Looking those involved in the last to the future, with the 50 years of preservation, help of technology, why the Archive Project shouldn’t every present has conducted over 60 and future preservation interviews, many of which effort be extensively are available as transcripts documented on video on the Archive Project shot from smart phones? website. Today, there is almost no excuse for failing to Part of that collection capture significant events. is a series of oral histories with each of In addition to seeing the the past chairs of the players and hearing their Landmarks Preservation voices, what else can bring Commission (with the Exhibition at the Municipal Art Society mounted as part of the campaign to designate alive key episodes in the exception, sadly, of a portion of Fifth Avenue as a historic district, 1984; Courtesy of Anthony C. Wood history of preservation?

Page 2 How about the sailor’s hat (referencing the iconic photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square on V-J Day) worn NYPAP Events by participants in the rally to save Times Square or the preservation lollipop from Our Public Programs Continue to Celebrate, Educate, & Inspire the Campaign to Save 2 (known as the “lollipop building”)? What This spring the Archive Project joined City history. Attendees gained both a greater would we give today for one of the original the New York Landmarks Conservancy, knowledge of this dynamic neighborhood, placards from the August 2, 1962 picket line the Historic Districts Council, the NYC and a better understanding of the process at Pennsylvania Station or the September 26, Landmarks50 Alliance, and NYU Press of urban renewal as it pertains to New York 1964 protest at the Brokaw Mansion? What to celebrate the publication of James M. City’s distinctive waterfront and the special about the architectural models for some of Lindgren’s new book, Preserving South Street history these areas exhibit. An in-depth the proposed towers over landmarks that Seaport: The Dream and Reality of a New book review of Preserving South Street Seaport were defeated? What about reminders from York Urban Renewal District. Lindgren is a appears on page seven. preservation failures or salvaged elements of professor of history at SUNY Plattsburgh * * * beloved lost sites? I have an eight-inch piece and the author of several books and essays As a follow-up to the 2013 Bard Birthday of decorative plaster from the Biltmore on preservation. Preserving South Street Breakfast Benefit, the Archive Project and Hotel’s Palm Court that I picked from the Seaport: A Book Talk was generously the Neighborhood Preservation Center wreckage while being ejected, along with hosted by The Paris Café, first opened in hosted The Rise & Fall of Penn Station: Gabe Pressman, from the demolition site in 1873 and frequented by such personages as A Screening Party. Over 200 New Yorkers August of 1981. What’s in your closet? Thomas Edison and Theodore Roosevelt. descended upon Professor Thom’s Bar & Restaurant in the East Village for drinks, So what will be available to help tell the story some of the City’s best nachos, and a viewing of the next 50 years of preservation history? of the new documentary The Rise & Fall of The answer is simple—whatever you save. Penn Station! The film did not disappoint; What events will be brought alive on film? after introductory remarks by Peter Samton, The events you document. Whose voices one of the original protesters of the station’s will future preservationists hear? Yours, demolition, and Archive Project founder and those that you record. What inside and chair Anthony C. Wood, the audience knowledge will we have on the preservation immersed themselves in the epic tale of the efforts in which you’ve been involved? doomed terminal. The many facets of the The information you record through an story were compelling—the acquisition and oral history or a first person narrative. The clearing of blocks in the Tenderloin District preservation stories you help capture are where the building would rise, the perilous the intellectual capital of the movement construction of the tunnels under the East and in one sense belong to us all. However, and Hudson Rivers in the first decade of the unless you make the effort to document and 20th century, the decline in rail travel after preserve them, odds are good that their full World War II, the financial failure of the value and their ability to inspire, inform, James M. Lindgren signs a copy of his book Preserving Pennsylvania Railroad, and the battle to save and instruct future preservationists will be South Street Seaport; Courtesy of Kelly Becker the station from demolition in the 1960s. squandered. Over pub fare and happy-hour drinks, the Indeed, each topic could easily have been 150 attendees were regaled with Lindgren’s the focus of its own documentary. The film, The New York Preservation Archive Project account of the complex and fascinating first aired on PBS in February 2014 as part is committed to the work of documenting struggle to preserve the character of of the American Experience series, is a worthy and preserving the history of preservation, Lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. addition to the body of work on the iconic but the task is too big for any one group. Lindgren’s presentation chronicled the station. What is needed is a preservation-movement- tenuous rebirth of the neighborhood, wide effort to consciously document our including the acquisition of ships, real Many thanks to our co-sponsors—the history, both while it is being made and estate market booms and collapses, Historic Districts Council, the New York shortly thereafter. Together we can preserve controversial developments, and years of Landmarks Conservancy, Pratt Historic our story as we have been preserving the often conflicting efforts by preservationists, Preservation Alumni, the NYC Landmarks50 buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural developers, bankers, politicians, and museum Alliance, Preservation Alumni, and the landscapes that tell the story of our city, administrators. Lindgren concluded with Young City Coalition—for helping make state, and nation. Just as the preservation of a discussion of some of the most recent this informal film screening such a success. those sites has greatly benefited society, the proposals moving forward at the Seaport, The Archive Project hopes that this is merely preservation movement stands to benefit leaving the audience questioning what will the first installation in a series of similar immensely from preserving its own legacy. happen to this unique piece of New York screenings. Please contact our office if you

Page 3 has completed production work Central Park was in peak fall foliage last on documentaries, feature films, November when Manhattan Borough television shows, music videos, Historian Michael Miscione led the and commercials. Rossi was Eleventh Annual Salute to Unsung Civic introduced by Lorraine B. Diehl, Hero Andrew Haswell Green. Lauded the author of the classic study The as “arguably the most important leader Late, Great Pennsylvania Station. in Gotham’s long history” by Columbia University professor and author Kenneth T. In his absorbing lecture entitled Jackson, Green was the 19th-century master Pennsylvania Station: Archives, planner, reformer, and preservationist who Preservation, & Storytelling, Rossi transformed New York into a cosmopolitan discussed the many decisions city. Over his 50-year career, Green steered Archive Project board member Bradley J. Vogel (r) with friends at The required of documentary the creation of some of New York City’s Rise & Fall of Penn Station screening; Courtesy of the Archive Project filmmakers and how archival most recognized parks, cultural institutions, have any ideas for preservation-related films, research informs the creation of non- and public works, including Central Park, documentaries, or television shows that fiction film. Rossi delved into extensive the , the Bronx could be shown in the future. archival collections in his research for The Zoo, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. * * * Rise & Fall of Penn Station, especially those He also rescued the City from bankruptcy Last December’s Bard Birthday Breakfast at the Pennsylvania State Archives and after the Tweed Ring scandals, pioneered Benefit was one of the Archive Project’s the records of the Pennsylvania Railroad the local historic preservation movement, most successful fundraisers yet, a fitting Company at Temple University. These and masterminded the 1898 consolidation tribute to the milestones the event marked. institutional archives were significant in the of the five boroughs. Archive Project As our tenth annual benefit, the breakfast filmmaking process, and Rossi explored founder and chair Anthony C. Wood joined was the culmination of a decade of how the contents of these repositories celebrations that similarly honored the affected the documentary’s development, history of the preservation movement. And as well as the essential role that personal the event also marked what would have collections and first person interviews been Albert Bard’s 147th birthday. Bard was played in completing the narrative arc. dedicated to protecting the aesthetic values Rossi also showed several clips from of special places, drafting the New York the film itself, which incorporated State legislation authorizing the Landmarks extraordinary archival photographs of the Law (known as the Bard Act), and advocating building’s construction, the workers who for City Beautiful concerns ranging from burrowed tunnels beneath the Hudson billboard control to zoning. Finally, 2013 and East Rivers, the gleaming architectural marked yet another preservation milestone masterpiece upon its completion, and as the 50th year since demolition began on its heartbreaking demolition. Rossi also New York City’s Pennsylvania Station, described the creative process of layering a monumental loss that is regarded as music, unique sound effects, and interview a galvanizing influence on preservation clips over historic photographs to bring advocacy and policy in the United States. the story to life.

To commemorate this 50th anniversary, the Although Rossi’s new documentary featured speaker at the 2013 Bard Birthday focuses primarily on Pennsylvania Breakfast Benefit was Michael Rossi. Rossi Station as an engineering feat rather is an independent documentary film and than the station’s demise, preservationists Anthony Wood speaking at Andrew Haswell Green’s salute; Courtesy of Michael Miscione non-fiction television producer whose most in attendance were enthralled with the film recent work is The Rise & Fall of Penn Station, clips, which showed the monumentality of Miscione at Central Park’s Andrew H. a film made for the award-winning PBS the construction project, the breathtaking Green Memorial Bench (the only public series American Experience. Rossi has spent the final product, and how devastating its monument to “The Father of Greater New last 13 years producing, directing, shooting, demolition was after a life of only 50 years. York” in the five boroughs) to speak on and editing national programs for public The film is another reminder of what was the importance of recognizing this often television. His production credits include lost with this extraordinary structure and forgotten preservationist and civic hero. The the children’s engineering series Design Squad the danger posed when a city lacks legal Archive Project salutes Michael Miscione Nation (for which he won an Emmy Award) protection for its architectural heritage. The for keeping the memory of this important and various films for the American Experience film in its entirety can now be viewed online civic figure alive through this annual event. series. Rossi has also contributed to PBS’s at www.pbs.org. For more information on Andrew Haswell Frontline, and his company, Rossi Films, * * * Green, please visit the Archive Project

Page 4 online database entry at www.nypap.org. * * * NYC Landmarks50 Alliance As noted throughout this newsletter, th 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of when Planning the 50 Anniversary Celebration of the Landmarks Law demolition began on New York City’s To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the future of historic preservation in New York Pennsylvania Station, a watershed moment in Landmarks Law in 2015, over the next two City. the history of the City’s modern preservation years the NYC Landmarks50 Alliance will movement. Last spring the Archive Project work to broaden the appreciation of New The scope will be expansive, including a look and the Greenwich Village Society for York City’s landmarks through a series of at the people and the processes involved Historic Preservation cosponsored a panel programs held throughout the five boroughs. with landmark designation; an exploration discussing and analyzing the numerous Each member of the Alliance is planning a of the roles of community activists, policy actions taken to advance some form special project for the upcoming anniversary, makers, owners, developers, and architects; of landmarks protection that predated and many of these plans are already coming and an examination and celebration of the this famous loss. Following that theme, to fruition. beauty and power of the City’s architectural Preservation after the Demolition of heritage. Several controversial topics in the Penn Station: A Panel Discussion was The Society of Illustrators—founded in field will be addressed, including the shifting hosted in November to focus on how the 1901 to appreciate and promote the art interpretation and implementation of the preservation effort in New York has evolved of illustration—has planned a special Landmarks Law, the complicated economics since the demolition of Pennsylvania Station. exhibition in honor of the of preservation, and The panel included Franny Eberhart, trustee City’s landmarks. Illustrating contemporary design of the Historic Districts Council, vice-chair our Landmarks, curated within historic districts. of the Historic House Trust, and president of by Leslie Cober-Gentry, In order to successfully FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic will take place from June tell this complex story, Districts, Anthony C. Wood, founder and 3 to August 16, 2014. the exhibition will feature chair of the Archive Project, and Anthony Members of the Society a rich combination of W. Robins, preservation consultant, writer, have been asked to create renderings, models, historic lecturer, and tour guide. The panel was a visual interpretation of documents, ephemera, moderated by Andrew Berman, executive their favorite New York photographs, archival film director of the Greenwich Village Society City landmark, in any and radio clips, interactive for Historic Preservation. Much of the media and size. A jury features, digital media, and panel discussion focused on the rise of will select one work to architectural fragments neighborhood advocacy organizations receive the prestigious from some of New and the evolution of the Landmarks Stevan Dohanos Award York City’s greatest lost Preservation Commission (LPC) with a (named after the American treasures. focus on each mayoral administration. realist painter famed for Robins, who worked at the LPC for over 20 his Saturday Evening Post If you have any items years, gave fascinating insights into the early illustrations), and twelve that are significant to the workings of the agency, including shifting additional works that will be history of preservation that priorities, the pros and cons of increased reproduced in the Society’s could be included in the design flexibility within historic districts, and 2015 calendar. These exhibition, please contact how the composition of the departments works, and a selection of other entries, will our office at [email protected]. MCNY is within the agency has changed. Discussion be included in the exhibition that will run especially interested in original ephemera, inevitably turned to the new administration through the summer. If you are interested photos, or archival materials related to early and predictions on how the LPC and the in participating, please visit the Society’s preservation campaigns for such sites as preservation field in New York City might website at www.societyillustrators.org for Pennsylvania Station, the Brokaw Mansion, change in the near future. additional information. Grand Central Terminal, Greenwich Village, and Brooklyn Heights. In April 2015 the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) will present the major These two exhibitions are just a small The Archive Project enjoys hosting exciting exhibition Saving Place: Fifty Years of New sampling of the wide range of projects that collaborations that celebrate the history of York City Landmarks. Co-curated by Donald are being planned for the next two years. preservation and record the stories of those involved Albrecht, curator of architecture and design Feeling inspired? The NYC Landmarks50 in the field. If you know of a preservation story at MCNY, and Andrew Dolkart, director Alliance welcomes innovative ideas from that should be captured, please consider contacting of the historic preservation program at individuals and organizations throughout us to cosponsor an event such as those described here Columbia University, and assisted by Seri the five boroughs. To get involved, share that will educate other preservationists and Worden, preservation consultant, this ideas, and volunteer your time, please email inspire similar projects. exhibition will explore the past, present, and [email protected].

Page 5 New to Archives Frank Cousins Collection & Carnegie Hall’s Digital Archives Project!

The Public Design Commission of the City religious structures from the 18th- and reverse of each print that relay interesting of New York (formerly the Art Commission) early 19th-centuries throughout Manhattan, snippets of history about each structure. has digitized a small but notable collection Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The Frank Cousins Collection may be of photographs important to the history Several of the surviving buildings are now accessed from “The Archive” tab on the of preservation in New York City. In 1913 house museums, including the Morris-Jumel Public Design Commission’s website. the agency commissioned photographs Mansion and the Lefferts Historic House. * * * of approximately 50 buildings that were Other recognizable surviving landmarks In 2012, Carnegie Hall embarked upon deemed architecturally and historically include Colonnade Row on Lafayette its Digital Archives Project, a multi- significant. Several were chosen for Street and the Rectory of the Shrine of St. year initiative to conserve and digitize a documentation because they were thought Elizabeth Ann Seton near Battery Park. But significant portion of the Hall’s vast historic to be in danger of demolition, and in fact many of the buildings captured in these collections. This project will ensure that many were subsequently destroyed. The photographs have not survived. St. John’s the Hall’s distinguished legacy is preserved commission’s objective was to ensure that Chapel on Varick Street was torn down in for future generations. Although Carnegie future generations would at least have 1918 for a controversial road-widening Hall did not establish a formal archive access to these structures in photographic scheme, and the Rhinelander Mansions on until 1986, a vigorous effort was made in form. The project photographer was Frank Washington Square North were replaced subsequent years to collect materials related Cousins (1851-1925), an expert on American with an apartment building in 1951, not to the building’s history over the preceding colonial architecture who is credited with without considerable opposition. A variety century. The Carnegie Hall Archive now making architectural photography a specialty of other lesser-known colonial farmhouses contains thousands of concert programs, discipline. Due to his expertise, Cousins and townhouses documented in this posters and fliers, musical manuscripts, likely had some input on the selection of project have likewise met the wrecking ball, autographs, administrative files, and buildings to be documented. This series of including the row of private homes pictured architectural drawings that tell the story of photographs is significant as one of the below, built ca. 1820 and named by American the Hall since it opened in 1891. Included City’s earliest official efforts to document its Architect magazine as the “best masterpieces within the collection are materials related to architectural heritage. of our old city homes” in 1915. Luckily, the the successful effort to save Carnegie Hall photographs survive, and the digital scans from demolition in the early 1960s, led in The Frank Cousins Collection includes include both the prints themselves and large part by renowned violinist Isaac Stern. images of residential, commercial, and the short, handwritten descriptions on the The Carnegie Hall Archive obtained a grant to perform an assessment of their entire collection and then commenced digitization in 2012. In the first year of the project, 2,000 video and audio recordings and 3,700 programs were digitized. Textual records of 15,000 events that occurred in Carnegie Hall from 1891 to 1950 are now available on the Hall’s website. Of special interest to architects and preservationists is an early product of this project: the restoration and digitization of a detailed cross-section drawing of the Hall prepared in 1889 by the building’s architect, William Burnet Tuthill. It is a rare surviving example of an original design drawing by Tuthill, whose papers were lost after he died in 1929. Also of note is the digitization of the documentary filmThe 28-Week Miracle, which chronicles the 1986 restoration of the Hall’s interior, including interviews with Stern, then-Mayor Ed Koch, and restoration architect James Polshek. Stay updated on the Digital Archives Project by 69 & 71 Charlton Street, between Varick & Hudson Streets, 1913; Courtesy of the Public Design Commission visiting www.carnegiehall.org.

Page 6 Book Review Preserving South Street Seaport: The Dream and Reality of a New York Urban Renewal District by Bradley J. Vogel On your next visit to the South Street veritable alphabet soup of organizational the institution on course. Seaport, with its distinctive steep-pitched acronyms. In recounting these tales, such roofs and bobbing spider webs of rigging as the Museum’s last-ditch effort to acquire While the chapters are loosely themed overhead, be sure to thank the governor of the final vestiges of commercial sailing ships and occasionally challenge the reader with New Jersey. No, not the current occupant with the vessels Wavertree and Lottie Cooper, chronological shifts, the level of research of that office, but one of his predecessors, Lindgren leaves the reader with a sense of is apparent and impressive. Quotes from Robert B. Meyner, who in the 1950s how precious the South Street Seaport’s Seaport characters such as Captain Jeremiah influenced the Port Authority to move the “street of ships” is as a historic relic. And Driscoll, acerbic observations from Ada site of the massive World Trade Center Louise Huxtable, as well as anecdotes development west to the Hudson River about Seaport hangouts, visits by Pete side of Manhattan, and closer to his Seeger and Brooke Astor, and the home state. This fateful intervention Mafia’s presence in the Fulton Fish spared the early 19th-century structures Market, pepper the book with color and waterfront that today constitute and keep descriptions of bureaucratic the South Street Seaport, retaining a maneuverings from becoming tangible connection to New York City’s overwhelming. Overall, the book maritime past. provides insight for other preservation and urban development efforts. But it This episode is one of many harrowing is, first and foremost, a tale focused on moments recounted in James M. the particular story of the buildings, Lindgren’s new book, Preserving South ships and, critically, people, that have Street Seaport: The Dream and Reality of a kept the lamp burning at the South New York Urban Renewal District, which Street Seaport Museum. Brought to its delves deep into the numerous crests knees by Superstorm Sandy, de-coupled and troughs faced by the historic district from the short-lived stewardship of the over the past five decades. Focusing Museum of the City of New York, and on the South Street Seaport Museum, facing additional development on Pier which was founded in 1967 at the heart 17 by the Howard Hughes Corporation, of the district, the story traces the the Museum today is fortunate to development of the Museum’s novel, have the fruits of Lindgren’s scholarly community-based vision of a “museum labors. Citing the Archive Project’s own without walls” as it became transformed Anthony C. Wood, the book notes that by both external and internal forces. historical institutions, in particular, need Because the Museum was charged to be cognizant of their own histories. with the urban development of its surrounding district, the institution’s In looking to its future, the Museum dreams often diverged from the realities Cover of Preserving South Street Seaport; Courtesy of NYU Press should take some comfort as it looks it faced, and these forces eventually left back, although its pumps have failed the institution hanging by a financial thread. Lindgren’s detailing of the machinations at various points in the past. Preserving South of the 1970s and 1980s, when the Museum Street Seaport makes it abundantly clear that If the book makes one thing clear, it is that faced diminished leadership and increased with devoted volunteers at its core, the there has been no shortage of trials and economic development pressures, further Museum has nevertheless remained afloat travails in the effort to preserve the South stresses how close the Museum and the entire as a testament to the preservation spirit, a Street Seaport. From interference by City district came to losing their souls. Museum wonder to behold. Hall and questionable board decisions to co-founder Peter Stanford, benefactors Jack undermining commercial interests and and Peter Aron, maverick Museum chairman Bradley J. Vogel, an attorney, serves on the board a mutiny of the historic ship restoration Jakob Isbrandtsen, and Peter Neill, Museum of directors of the New York Preservation Archive crews against the Museum itself, the president from 1985-2005, emerge as key Project and is the former editor-in-chief of the tale is a complicated one, served with a figures who, despite ongoing struggles, kept Tulane Maritime Law Journal.

Page 7 An Interview with Anthony C. Wood: Preservation Activist, Historian, and Archivist As the 50th anniversary of the passage of from my degree was that I had the ability Columbia University began its master’s program New York City’s Landmarks Law draws near as a planner to “attack” other planners! I in historic preservation in 1964. You have been (2015), Archive Project founder and chair came to New York because urban planning a faculty member in that program. How has this Anthony C. Wood recently sat down with programs naturally lead to cities, and in 1978 program advanced preservation in New York? vice-chair Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe for an in- New York was the Detroit of its time. I had depth interview. The conversation touched made a point of reading The New York Times This program was a game changer in the on many aspects of Wood’s long career in faithfully while in grad school, and I arrived City and beyond. At this point, we now New York as both a preservationist and the here with a bagful of clippings related to my have a group of earlier graduates who visionary behind the mission of the Archive planning and preservation interests. On a are “eminence grises” in the City and the Project to save the story of preservation in personal note, as a gay man, I also felt that I preservation movement, with a long history the City. could imagine a more satisfying personal life of activism and a wealth of experiential in New York City than almost anywhere else. knowledge, as well as a newer generation of You came to New York from the Midwest in younger graduates who are full of enthusiasm 1978 with a graduate degree in urban and regional The old charges of “elitism” seem to never disappear and new ideas. The program created a cadre planning. This raises two questions: first, how does when leveled against preservationists. Edward of like-minded people with the tools they that particular academic background inform your Glaser, for example, has enjoyed a fair amount of need to be effective in preservation on many role as a preservationist, and second, did you view press in his attacks against historic districting in fronts. Additionally, Columbia inspired New York as a logical or even special destination, places such as the Upper East Side, arguing that it numerous other institutions across the and why? keeps the rich richer and the poor bereft of housing. country to create similar programs, which How would you respond to this? are creating a larger network of preservation The reason for the degree is really an element professionals. of fate. My undergraduate degree is in It’s actually sad about Glaser, because he history. I had applied to a variety of master’s writes about how wonderful cities are, which You have spoken of how, when you came to New programs and had received a scholarship to is great, but he doesn’t understand that York, you realized that there was no volume a program in urban and regional planning. preservation is so key to what makes cities dedicated to the history of preservation in the City. I had just finished a summer as a Fellow wonderful. The idea that historic districting Your book, Preserving New York: Winning at Historic Deerfield in Massachusetts. in neighborhoods like the Upper East Side is the Right to Protect a City’s Landmarks, Working there made me realize that I was the cause of New York’s affordable housing published in 2007, filled that niche. Writing that extremely interested in how Deerfield problem is lunacy. Glaser also confuses book was a major undertaking. What made you Village had been preserved. I loved history skyscrapers with population density. As for decide to be the one to write this much-needed book, and research, but after my time at Deerfield the “elitist thing,” anybody can walk down and how did you go about gathering all the material I realized that I wanted to become engaged the City’s beautiful streets and enjoy the and organizing it? Did you have a special game plan with “active” history, the actual preservation preserved houses. These neighborhoods are in attacking this project? of places. As a consequence, when I started a public space like Central Park and keep my graduate studies, I put a “preservation the City livable. People deserve beauty, and When I came to New York wanting to spin” on all of my courses, writing papers historic districting keeps the City beautiful become involved in preservation activities, with preservation themes. The best takeaway for everyone. I felt I should read “the” book or even an article on the story of how New York City’s Landmarks Law had come into being. There was none to be found! I started to take it upon myself to seek out the origins of the Landmark Law. I managed to get a $5,000 grant to do oral histories with people who knew pieces of the story of the Landmarks Law, and I interviewed such key players as Geoffrey Platt, Harmon Goldstone, Margot Gayle, and Brendan Gill. Each oral history raised more questions, so I kept researching and had about 75% of the story, 20 years into the project! So finally I decided to commit to writing a book.

I reached out to friends who had published books and got templates of book proposals, since I was not going to Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe interviewing Anthony C. Wood at the Ittleson Foundation; Courtesy of the Archive Project write the story without the imprimatur

Page 8 of a real publisher—essential in my mind form of ADD, so I would spend 60 minutes The first is the fact that preservation is for getting the book into libraries. I was writing, 60 minutes researching, and 60 now often taken for granted by the general cautioned that there was “no money” in this minutes raising money and handling other public—there is an assumption that things topic, so I didn’t bother to try and get an administrative tasks for the book. are protected. Complacency is never a good agent and instead contacted publishers in the thing for preservation. A second challenge is general preservation field. Initially this did I had two years in which to deliver the that preservation is often misunderstood and not work out, but I did get good feedback book to the publisher. I did not know that a miscategorized, an example of this being the on how to make the story more compelling deadline is usually not something that writers idea that it is a block to affordable housing, for the general public. I had to revamp my adhere to, and I found that the publisher was a misconception that the new administration structure and narrative to recast the book. quite surprised to receive my manuscript on seems to be operating under. Hence, we in I then found a publisher who liked the time. I am very glad that I undertook this preservation have a “messaging issue” to reworked proposal. book project, but I have two regrets. The deal with. first is that I put so much pressure on myself As to the actual mechanics of writing the to meet the deadline that it took much of Related to this is the threat of “devaluing book, I was fortunate to receive a sabbatical the fun out of the project; the second is that the brand.” What I mean by this is that from the Ittleson Foundation, who was then I accepted the publisher’s indexer, and I am from a policy perspective, more things are and remains my employer. To avoid having not happy with the result. I am constantly “protected,” but what that means is under friends and acquaintances distract me from augmenting the index in my desk copy. threat. Regulation, some would argue, my work while on sabbatical, I used the is not as rigorous as it used to be, and “cover” that I was writing the book in our How would you assess the general media coverage of there is increasing pressure to allow more house in Vermont while actually writing it preservation in New York? How has it expanded things to happen to a landmark. A case in in my office where all my materials were. over the years, and are preservationists getting more point involves two buildings in the Ladies’ However, I would sometimes get caught of a hearing? Mile Historic District that are currently when I would run into someone in New threatened by demolition. Years ago, York and they would ask me how the Because of the great changes in media, developers would not have even bothered weather was in Vermont, and I would give especially social media, you really can’t to seek permission from the Landmarks them a blank stare! After the sabbatical, I make an apples-to-apples comparison of Preservation Commission to demolish them. was still not finished, so I came to my office then versus now. In the old days, “victory” Now they are testing the limits. early, and worked on the book from seven was getting a New York Times editorial; now a.m. until ten a.m. and did not check emails many people don’t read newspapers and The third major challenge has to do with the or answer the phone during that block of some politicians take pride in championing fracturing of the preservation movement time. I suspect that I suffer from some mild positions contrary to an editorial! In general, itself, which is more severe than ever. The with all the “new media” there good news is that splintering can mean that seems to be more coverage preservation is an umbrella that covers many of local preservation issues people; the bad news is that there is no real and more opinions being recognized leadership. Within preservation, expressed. If many multiple there are people who dislike each other more voices echo the same view, can than they dislike Donald Trump! The reason they “equal” one Ada Louise is that they never expected Trump to support Huxtable piece? One can their particular preservation cause, but debate that point. Today we they did expect the support of their fellow live in a world where a smart preservationists. There are turf and ego phone can record all events, battles that go on and on. Preservationists and countless individuals can have given themselves the luxury of disliking tweet their opinions. At some each other and not working together on other point there may be so much issues because of some past disagreement. material on preservation that We can’t afford to have “blood feuds” when we will face the “garbage in, we need to present a united front on the garbage out” problem. Still, critically important issues. I’d prefer future historians having too much information On a happier note, I see many opportunities, to sort through than too little. but I will focus on the three most significant. The first and most exciting development If you had to name the three biggest is the chance to capitalize on the fact that challenges and the three biggest the values preservation embodies are opportunities facing preservation appreciated more than ever before. There is in New York City at this moment, a vital sense of the power of place. People what would they be? are making choices about living in locations that reflect a quality of life that is dictated by I believe that the three biggest historic environments, which are especially Cover of Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a challenges at the moment are popular in New York. This really helps City’s Landmarks; Courtesy of Routledge serious and differentiated. preservationists with our policy case.

Page 9 Also, we have more ability through the new media to present the visual, which is so essential to the preservation Stewardship message, and finally, there is an emerging generation of young preservationists who really care deeply about localities, regional food systems, and other issues Society that are in tune with preservation values. This contrasts dramatically with The Archive Project’s annual series the Fifties, when preservation was out of special events for our Stewardship of tune with the prevailing Zeitgeist of Society continues in 2014. This spring, “new and mass-produced.” Society members were awarded the rare opportunity for a private tour of The New York is a study in multiple preservation Explorers Club. Astronaut-in-training organizations. How can they keep their Kellie Gerardi led the group around the missions clear for the public? stunning Jacobean-style mansion on the Upper East Side that became the Club’s Policymakers need to know the headquarters in 1964. It was a fitting differences, but it’s true that the Jackie Onassis testifying in Albany, 1984; setting for the Club’s collection, which number of different organizations can get Courtesy of Joleen Weiss includes personal papers from significant very confusing for outside viewers. There explorers, manuscripts, works of art, are building-specific groups, architectural- testifying. The day of the trip arrived, and a maps, and artifacts accumulated over a period groups, historic-neighborhood wonderfully engaged and animated crowd of century of traversing land, sea, air, and groups—everything from the Victorian preservationists came on board. On the ride space. From Theodore Roosevelt’s safari Society to the Friends of Terra Cotta. New up, Jackie sat next to the great preservationist spoils to a model of the shuttle that will websites are an aid to making things clear as Fred Papert. As we were getting off the train take civilians into space, there was an to what each group does, but the upside of she turned to me and said she had changed extraordinary story behind every piece in the large numbers of organizations means her mind and that she would testify! She the Club’s collection. What great fortune that they provide many entryways into the delivered her testimony in that same delicate to be guided through this unforgettable larger preservation community. Specific and quiet voice. The chairman of the hearing assortment of curiosities! groups can be “intake valves” for people to had to ask the cameramen to quit taking find a “core.” photos because their clicks and snapping The Stewardship Society is the Archive flashes were overpowering Jackie Onassis’s Project’s devoted group of benefactors Most preservationists have great personal anecdotes voice. Everyone in the room hushed, leaned who regularly meet for special tours about famous people involved in the movement. forward, and strained to hear her speak— at institutional archives and private Would you recount the phone call you received when which made her remarks even more powerful collections throughout New York City. you were working as a junior member of the MAS and effective. There has never been another The Stewardship Society is made up of team from one Jacqueline Onassis? quiet voice for preservation as loud as hers. those donors who annually contribute $500 or more in general support, in Back in 1984, I was working late at the Ten years hence, where would you like to “see” the addition to purchasing a ticket to the Municipal Art Society planning the Landmark Archive Project in term of its mission? annual Bard Birthday Breakfast Benefit. Express II train to Albany—a trainload of preservationists heading to Albany to testify The ultimate goal of the Archive Project Our next event will be a visit to the Bank against an ill-conceived piece of legislation is to fundamentally change the culture of New York Mellon Archives at the that would have removed properties owned of the preservation movement so that noted Art Deco skyscraper, One Wall by religious institutions from the protection preservationists and their organizations Street. With a viewing of the building’s of local landmark laws. The phone rang, regularly document, preserve, and celebrate glittering mosaics by Hildreth Meière, and having just finished a lengthy call with a their own history. Conceptually, if and a visit to the observation deck, and a long-winded community activist, and fearing when that goal is achieved, the Archive look at special items pulled from the that they were calling again, I answered the Project could declare victory and leave archives, this should prove to be another call in a brisk and sharp voice. On the other the field. However, since preservationists wonderful opportunity to explore a part end was the delicate and quiet voice of Jackie are naturally more akin to Dalmatians of New York City that is not usually Onassis. Responding to the Society’s inquiry, responding to ongoing current alarm bells open to the public. she was calling to indicate that, yes, she would than archivists, our work will be needed for be riding the train with us up to Albany for many decades to come. With some luck, in We hope that you will consider becoming a the hearing but that she wasn’t planning to a decade, the Archive Project will be able Steward of the New York Preservation Archive testify. After profusely thanking her, in what to spend less time conducting oral histories Project and thus a steward of the history of you can imagine was a much more pleasant and intervening to save records, papers, New York City’s preservation movement. To join voice, my excitement about her coming and preservation paraphernalia from the the Society, please contact Matthew Coody at with us to Albany was tempered by the fact dumpster, and more time and resources on [email protected] or 212-988-8379. that we had already told the politicians and educating, training, funding, and otherwise Albany press that if she came she would be assisting preservation organizations.

Page 10 In 1966, Binger also became involved in the battle to save the old Metropolitan Opera House. After NYPAP News that unsuccessful fight, Binger told the Archive Project, he walked onto The Archive Project bids farewell to the stage as the building was being Eric Allison, who stepped down from dismantled and, with plaster falling the board of directors earlier this year. around him, sang “three loud notes” A much deserved salute to Allison’s in order to be the last person to have long and devoted service to the sung there. During that campaign he joined the Municipal Art Society, organization and its mission. serving as head of its Landmarks Committee. In that role he testified Join us in welcoming our newest at many Landmarks Preservation board member, Richard J. Moylan. Commission hearings into the 1970s For over 28 years Moylan has served and helped found the Historic as president of The Green-Wood Districts Council. Cemetery, where he has guided a wide variety of conservation and After stints working for the South preservation projects. Originally Street Seaport and a housing organization, Binger joined the Parks founded in 1838, the 478-acre Department in 1979 as its assistant cemetery was designated a National commissioner for capital projects. Historic Landmark in 2006. Green- There he led the preservation of Wood is the resting place of many many Parks Department-managed preeminent New Yorkers, including historic houses, as well as Central Leonard Bernstein, William M. Bronson Binger in 1982; Courtesy of The New York Times Park, Prospect Park, and Union (“Boss”) Tweed, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Square. In the 1980s, Binger began Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Horace working for the Department of In Memoriam General Services, where he oversaw Greeley. Moylan’s unique skills will the restoration of McKim, Mead and surely benefit the leadership of the The preservation community mourns the White’s Municipal Building, a Beaux-Arts Archive Project. recent death of our colleague Bronson skyscraper that overlooks City Hall. Binger Binger. An architect and preservationist initiated the project, he said, after finding a Fueled in part by the ongoing th with deep ties to New York City, Binger piece of granite on the street that had fallen multi-year celebration of the 50 served his city as a leader in public service from the building’s 25th floor. Anniversary of the New York City and activism. He was born in Manhattan in Landmarks Law and an increased 1930 to a family of New Yorkers active in Binger understood preservation to be closely interest in the history of preservation, architecture and civic life; his father Walter allied to both architecture and the building the Archive Project is faced with more was a renowned civil engineer who helped trades. Preservationists and architects alike, opportunities to document, preserve, save Castle Clinton from destruction by he felt, should understand how buildings and celebrate the story of preservation Robert Moses, and his grandmother was the are constructed—an understanding that developer of Turtle Bay Gardens. Following Binger feared was slipping away as architects than ever before. In response, the his schooling and army service, Binger designed buildings by computer, and organization has hired its first full- settled in Carnegie Hill in 1958, where he preservation became its own profession. To time executive director. Matthew quickly purchased two houses, became a Binger, this made preserving old buildings Coody, who until now was employed neighborhood preservation activist, and even more critical: “I think preservation, as the Archive Project’s part-time campaigned for the creation of a historic in these days, is more important than ever administrator, has been promoted district. At the time, Carnegie Hill was because it does show us what architecture into this role. With continued support threatened by large development proposals, should be,” he told the Archive Project in from readers like you the Archive but Binger believed in its future as a historic 2008. neighborhood. “I knew that historic Project can keep growing, and with an preservation was good for real estate,” Binger died on December 23, 2013. More increased capacity we can become an he said in an Archive Project oral history of Binger’s reflections on preservation, even more effective organization! interview conducted in 2008 in partnership architecture, and his experiences in New with Pratt Institute’s graduate program in York City can be found in the transcript of Several new entries have recently been historic preservation. “It has to be a positive the Archive Project’s oral history interview published in our online “Preservation thing because you are encouraging people to with him, available on our website, www. Database,” including posts on Huyler maintain their buildings and upgrade them. nypap.org. We encourage readers to share Held, the Citizens Union, and Henry And therefore you can also at the same time their recollections of Bronson Binger on our Hope Reed. Visit www.nypap.org to prevent bad things from happening.” The Memory Collection Project web page, which check them out! district was eventually designated in 1974. is also accessible from the above address.

Page 11 174 East 80th Street | New York, NY 10075

YOUR SPRING 2014 NEWSLETTER HAS ARRIVED! The Archive Project would like to thank the New York Community Trust’s Windie Knowe Fund, the Elizabeth R. and Robert A. Jeffe Preservation Fund for New York City of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Kress Foundation, the Winston Foundation, the Irene Ritter Foundation, and the J. M. Kaplan Fund for their generous support. Our work could not be accomplished without their—and your—financial support. 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.

174 East 80th Street | New York, NY 10075 | tel 212-988-8379 | fax 212-537-5571 | www.nypap.org