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 FALL 2015 Welcome to the 23rd 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.

New York State Supreme Court Building in New York City, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Legal Oral History Project Launched! Initiative Aims to Capture Memories of Legal Figures Who Have Influenced the Landmarks Law The New York Preservation Archive Project Funds will also allow the creation of an is excited to announce the launch of a new educational model, based on this oral history 2015 Bard Birthday oral history project entitled Through the Legal project, which can be used to inspire and Breakfast Benefit Lens: Interviews with Lawyers Who Shaped NYC’s guide similar initiatives in locations across the Honoring Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel Landmarks Law. Made possible through a United States. Lastly, the grant will be used with our Preservation Award grant from the Arthur F. & Alice E. Adams to help disseminate this model, including and featuring a Charitable Foundation, this initiative will developing and presenting an educational Conversation on Preservation with capture the memories of significant legal session at a national forum, and creating a Darren Walker and Paul Goldberger figures who have influenced the evolution portal on the Archive Project website where of New York City’s Landmarks Law. this guide will be permanently available December 9, 2015 Interviewees will include those who, over alongside other oral history resources. 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. the past four decades, have defended the Yale Club administration of the law, argued decisive The Archive Project is eager to begin 50 Vanderbilt Avenue preservation-related court cases, and worked capturing these significant stories and work to safeguard and augment the legal power towards creating a more comprehensive Tickets range from $75-$500 that protects the City’s architecture. record of the history of preservation! See pages 4-5 for more details.

Page 1 ByEverything Anthony C. Wood, Founder & Chair Old is New Again

In the years before the 1965 passage of were mounted to help draw attention to of transportation, landmarks the Scots New York’s Landmarks Law, engaged and New York City’s architectural treasures. The built, lost landmarks, existing landmarks, increasingly enraged New Yorkers worked 50th anniversary has been celebrated with no potential landmarks; landmarks here, there, through their civic organizations to employ fewer than ten new exhibitions. Currently and everywhere! Those 1950s pre-law exhibits, tours, plaques, public programs, on view and extended through the end of exhibits were only seen by a select crowd of and special publications to educate and the year is the blockbuster Saving Place: Fifty a few hundred, but today’s exhibitions have enlist a constituency to advocate for the Years of New York City Landmarks exhibition reached a broad and vast audience of tens preservation of New York City’s threatened at the Museum of the City of New York. (A of thousands. landmarks and historic neighborhoods. virtual smorgasbord of preservation-themed Even the airwaves were activated in 1961 Architectural walking tours, inaugurated with the first televised documentary on in New York City by the Municipal Art historic preservation in the City. Now, in Society in 1956, have long been a staple the midst of the gala celebration of the of preservation awareness. Thanks to 50th anniversary of New York City’s the 50th anniversary, walking tours Landmarks Law, I have been and bus tours have reached struck by the fact that these a new level of intensity. time honored education Whether a marathon all-day and advocacy tools— five borough bus tour of refined, reimagined and Art Deco treasures or often technologically numerous exhilarating upgraded—are still romps through the being used to educate City’s historic districts and enlist generations large and small, near of New Yorkers to and far, New Yorkers the cause of historic have gotten up close preservation. and personal to their history. Walk on, Certainly, the 50th New York! anniversary celebration has added some exciting The 1950s also debuted new approaches to the “Landmarks of New engaging the public. From York” plaque program of marathons in Central Park the New York Community to banners being flown across Trust. Thanks in part to the the City, from the illumination 50th anniversary, the Cultural of the Empire State Building to Medallion Program of the the ringing of the NASDAQ bell, Historic Landmarks Preservation and from preservation advocates looming Center has been in high gear mounting large on the Jumbotron screen in Times medallions on sites linked to figures ranging Square to the “Honor Our Past, Imagine from the Archive Project’s own favorite, the Our Future” billboard on the way to The George McAneny Award from the American preservation great Albert S. Bard (grandfather Kennedy airport, countless tools have been Historical Preservation Society (aka the American of our Landmarks Law and subject of an Scenic and Historic Preservation Society), sculpted by employed to get the message out to as many Paul Manship, Courtesy of Medallic Art Company article by yours truly in the latest issue of New Yorkers as possible. However, what has the Museum of the City of New York’s City fascinated me the most is not the wonderful exhibitions preceded it.) Organizations Courant) to former Congresswoman Bella new media being utilized but the continued ranging from the Alice Austen House and Abzug, former Mayor John Lindsay, and Dr. embrace and robust deployment of the very the Society of Illustrators to the New York Jonas Salk, who discovered the polio vaccine. tools that helped propel the passage of the School of Interior Design and the New York Landmarks Law in the first place. Transit Museum celebrated preservation As a young preservationist (yes, that was with exhibitions highlighting scenic decades ago) I questioned the value of these In the 1950s, several modest exhibitions landmarks, interior landmarks, landmarks old-fashioned preservation activities. Weren’t

Page 2 walking tours and plaques examples of 1950s Scenic and Historic Preservation Society and Preservation Archive Project is having a preservation? Hadn’t we progressed beyond named for and made possible by its longtime new preservation medal cast and will present that? Shouldn’t our focus be on hard-edge president, prominent New York City civil it for the first time this December at our preservation policy issues and the politics servant George McAneny, it recognized annual Bard Birthday Breakfast Benefit (see of preservation? Do exhibitions, walking distinguished service to the cause of article on pages 4-5). The Archive Project’s tours, documentaries, medallions, and the preservation. Over the years it went to such Preservation Award will be presented vast array of public programs that have nationally prominent preservation figures as to individuals whose work exemplifies accompanied them actually save buildings? Major General Ulysses Simpson Grant, III, the preservation, documentation, and Do they really help move the needle for the Henry Francis du Pont, C.C. Burlingham, celebration of the history of preservation, cause of historic preservation? H.P. Pell, William Sumner Appleton, and which is the focus of our work. The award David Finley. will be given out periodically—when it is Today I have to answer that question with truly deserved. a resounding “yes.” Not only is constant In recent times, sadly but perhaps vigilance essential for preservation, so too is understandably, bestowing awards often There is no better time than the 50th the constant engagement of the public, one seems to be more about elevating an anniversary of the Landmarks Law to generation after another. These familiar tools inaugurate this award and no more deserving are indeed time honored. We keep using first recipient than Barbaralee Diamonstein- them—revised, inspired, and updated Spielvogel. Over the decades she has by what we have learned by new played a singular and decisive role in technologies—because they truly helping preservationists remember engage people. It is that personal and honor their own history. engagement that transforms a Personally, I remember passive New Yorker into a meeting with her to discuss passionate preservationist. the planning of the 15th anniversary celebration Another deeply rooted of the Landmarks Law! and cherished activity that has served historic Does preservation preservation well is need another award? the presentation of Another exhibition? awards. By recognizing Another walking the remarkable figures tour or another whose achievements plaque? Another represent their own documentary? Even values and missions, if the wrecking ball preservation and civic stopped swinging organizations put a tomorrow, the answer public spotlight on their would still be an emphatic efforts. In the 1940s and “yes.” All these efforts are 1950s the great preservation essential to ensuring that figures were routinely honored preservation is not taken for with medals and awards, usually granted and that the inspiring, presented at banquets. In 1951 instructive, and inspirational history George McAneny was presented with the of how New York City has preserved its Municipal Art Society’s President’s Medal. landmarks and historic neighborhoods is Among those sitting on the dais was Albert not lost to future generations. The various Bard. The banquet featured “Hearts of Reverse of the George McAneny Award from the methods may be old but through reinvention Celery, Queen Olives, Gumbo Creole, Breast American Historical Preservation Society (aka the and fresh audiences they are new again. For American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society), of Rhode Island Duckling stuffed with bread Courtesy of Medallic Art Company as musician Peter Allen’s wonderful lyrics and apples, watercress, asparagus vinaigrette, sing out: [and] Baba au Rhum...” The following year organization’s finances than elevating its the award was given to Bard. mission and values. Yet the power of an “… don’t throw the past away award to highlight an organization’s work is You might need it some other rainy day My favorite of all the preservation medals as real today as when the American Scenic is the stunning George McAneny Award, and Historic Preservation Society launched Dreams can come true again established in 1945 and designed by Paul its award in 1945. Inspired by this long When everything old is new again” Manship. Awarded for years by the American history of such medals, the New York

Page 3 2015 Bard Birthday

BreakfastInaugural Preservation Award to be Bestowed upon Diamonstein-Spielvogel Benefit at this Year’s Benefit

Few New Yorkers have done more to and advocating for City Beautiful concerns Arts. She then became the first Director of celebrate, document, and preserve the history ranging from billboard control to zoning. Cultural Affairs in New York City, a position of preservation than Barbaralee that involved the preservation Diamonstein-Spielvogel. From and archiving of documented her seemingly tireless leadership materials. Barbaralee was also the in celebrating the anniversaries longest-serving Commissioner of the New York City Landmarks of the Landmarks Preservation Law, to her books documenting Commission, spanning four the City’s evolving preservation New York City mayoral landscape, her spirited efforts to administrations from 1972 to promote this significant history 1987. She served as the Chair have become an invaluable asset of the New York Landmarks in helping to shape the future Preservation Foundation from of our City while honoring its 1987 to 1995, where she created past. Therefore, the New York and underwrote the placement Preservation Archive Project of historic district street signs, can imagine no better recipient descriptive markers, and maps in for its inaugural Preservation each of New York City’s historic Award—created to honor districts. Since 1995, Barbaralee outstanding contributions to the has been the Chair of the Historic celebration, preservation, and Landmarks Preservation Center, documentation of the history of where she created the Cultural preservation in New York City— Medallion Program documenting than Barbaralee. The award distinguished individuals, notable medal, which has been designed occurrences, and other important and cast by the award-winning aspects of New York City’s Atelier Sisk in the City Beautiful cultural, economic, political, and tradition, will be presented at the social history. Barbaralee has Twelfth Annual Bard Birthday also been involved in celebrating Breakfast Benefit, to be held at the various anniversaries of the the Yale Club on the morning of New York City Landmarks Law. th December 9 . The breakfast will Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Courtesy of Joyce Ravid Most recently, she became the also feature a conversation on founding Chair of the NYC preservation with Darren Walker, president A civic figure in her own right, Barbaralee has Landmarks50 Alliance, a diverse consortium of the Ford Foundation, and architecture been involved in many facets of art, design, of over 180 member organizations, who critic Paul Goldberger. architecture, and public policy. However, have collaborated to commemorate the 50th the Archive Project’s Preservation Award anniversary of the Landmarks Law through The Bard Birthday Breakfast Benefit, the honors her long record of calling wider a series of programs held throughout the Archive Project’s signature fundraising event, attention to preservation history over the five boroughs. is held each year to memorialize civic figure course of her 50-year career. Her dedication Albert S. Bard (born December 1866; died to and involvement in preservation began Barbaralee also created and raised the funds March 1963). Bard was a leader in working to upon her appointment as White House for Treasures of New York: The Landmarks protect the aesthetic values of special places, Assistant by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Preservation Movement, the first hour-long drafting the New York State legislation which where she was a driving force in creating the program about the landmarks of New York authorized New York City’s Landmarks Law first, and only, White House Festival of the City, produced by WNET in celebration

Page 4 heritage preservation, arts and culture, human rights, urban development, and free expression. Walker entered the not-for-profit sector as chief operating officer for the Abyssinian Development Corporation, founded in 1989 as a community development organization dedicated to building the human, social, and physical capital in Harlem. 2015 Bard There he led efforts to develop over 1,000 units of housing Birthday for low and moderate income families, was involved in two Breakfast of Harlem’s largest privately- financed commercial projects Benefit in 30 years, and oversaw the Honoring Barbaralee Diamonstein- development of the first public Spielvogel with our Preservation Award school built in New York City and featuring a Conversation with Darren by a community organization. Walker and Paul Goldberger He is also a member of the Darren Walker, Courtesy of the Ford Foundation boards of the Friends of the High Line and the Foundation of the 50th anniversary of the Landmarks for Art and Preservation in Embassies. December 9, 2015 Law. She was a founding director of the 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. High Line, one of the most celebrated The Ford Foundation has similarly been adaptive reuse projects in the City’s recent involved with preservation efforts for years, Yale Club history. Barbaralee is the author of 20 from providing support for With Heritage 50 Vanderbilt Avenue books, including Buildings Reborn, Landmarks: So Rich, the publication that helped pass Eighteen Wonders of the New York World and the 1966 National Preservation Act, and The Landmarks of New York: An Illustrated supporting innovative affordable housing Tickets: Record of the City’s Historic Buildings, with and preservation work in Savannah, Georgia Anniversary Co-Chair: $500 its sixth edition to be published in 2016. in the 1980s, to recently funding WNET’s Benefit Committee:$300 Three exhibitions based on this book have Treasures of New York episode on the circulated, one to 82 countries throughout Landmarks Preservation Movement. Both Benefit Tickets: $150 the world by the U.S. Department of State, Walker and the Ford Foundation clearly Student Tickets: $75 the second across the United States, and the understand the role heritage preservation, third now in its sixth year traveling within the arts, and quality of life issues play in New York State. Barbaralee continues to be civic life. In a conversation with architecture To purchase tickets, or if you have any an influential proponent of the importance critic Paul Golberger, Walker will offer questions about the event, please visit of preservation’s past, and the New York insight on the importance of place, culture, our website at www.nypap.org or contact Preservation Archive Project is thrilled urbanism, and community building, as well Archive Project Executive Director to be presenting her with its inaugural as inequality as a threat to preservation and Matthew Coody at [email protected] th Preservation Award. cultural pluralism. And in honor of the 50 or 212-988-8379. anniversary of New York City’s Landmarks Darren Walker is president of the Ford Law, Walker and Goldberger will also reflect Your support of the 2015 Bard Birthday Foundation, the second largest philanthropy upon where preservation has been and Breakfast Benefit will enable the New in the United States, with over $12 billion in suggest how the movement needs to evolve York Preservation Archive Project assets and $500 million in annual giving. The in the future. to continue its efforts to record and foundation’s mission is to advance human document the history of the historic welfare, with a specific focus of disrupting Please join us for this special event. preservation movement in New York inequality in its many forms. For more than Tickets are available now! Your generous City. We are very excited about this two decades Walker has been a leader in the participation at any level will help support upcoming event and sincerely hope you not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors, the Archive Project’s significant efforts to will join us on December 9th! working on an array of issues including preserve preservation’s past.

Page 5 ArchivalGrantees Announced Assistancein Second Round of Archival FundingFund

The Archive Project recently announced 50th anniversary of the passage of New York Register of Historic Places, as well as being the second set of grants from its Archival City’s Landmarks Law in 2015, preference both a New York City and New York State Assistance Fund, established to help not-for- was given to applicants who clearly landmark. The Bowne House’s collections profit organizations identify and maintain demonstrated their collection’s significance include important Bowne/Parsons family archival resources and organizational to the past 50 years of historic preservation papers and documents dating from the mid- documents related to the historic in New York City. The varied responses 17th through the mid-20th centuries, as well preservation movement. This grant program reveal that despite their unique missions and as deeds, photographs, bibles, furniture, rare is another example of outreach initiatives on the diversity of their archival holdings, every books and manuscripts, and other artifacts. the part of the Archive Project to provide grant recipient boasts a record of activism Also included is documentation of repairs practical assistance while also instilling a in preservation over the past 50 years and a and modifications to the structure from lasting archival mindset in the New York demonstrated commitment to safeguarding 1669 to the present, organizational records City preservation community. the story of those efforts. relating to the founding of the museum,

The number of Archival Assistance Fund applications was very encouraging: many well-known candidates with significant preservation-related histories and important collections applied for grants, demonstrating the need for this kind of funding and the recognition by the preservation community that the Archive Project is there to assist with these projects. After evaluating the various proposals carefully, funding was provided to six applicants. Three of the recipients are historic house museums—the Bowne House Historical Society in Queens, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden on the Upper East Side, and the Merchant’s House Museum in NoHo. Two grantees are preservation-related not-for-profit organizations—the NYC Landmarks50 Alliance and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. And the final Bowne House c. 1850, Courtesy of the Library of Congress recipient, Brooklyn’s Evergreens Cemetery Preservation Foundation, helps preserve The Bowne House Historical Society in Historic American Buildings Survey Reports, one of the City’s historic cemeteries. Flushing, Queens, was founded in 1946 by a historic structure reports, interpretation Each organization cited special needs for group of local residents for the sole purpose plans, educational materials, paint analyses, archival assistance, ranging from basic of purchasing the Bowne House from the and dendrochronology, archaeological, and archival supplies and consultant expertise Parsons family and opening it to the public architects’ reports. to digitization projects and the complete as a museum. Since it successfully did so re-housing of collections. (For a list of the in 1947, the Society’s mission has been to The Evergreens Cemetery Preservation specific projects being funded, please see the preserve the Bowne House, its artifacts, and Foundation is the custodian of an historic sidebar on page 8.) grounds because of their educational and cemetery located in Brooklyn that was historical significance to the history of New founded in 1849. The Foundation’s mission Given the Archive Project’s mission to York, especially the events that occurred is to preserve the grounds, plantings, safeguard and share the story of preservation there that helped to establish the important monuments, and graves of the Evergreens in New York, each organization was required values of “freedom of conscience and Cemetery, to educate the public about in its application to state how its archival religious liberty in America.” The building the burial site through programming and collection is significant to the history of is the oldest house in the borough of educational materials, and to welcome historic preservation. And in honor of the Queens (1661), and is listed on the National the general public to the cemetery. The

Page 6 General Slocum disaster, and thus helping ensure historical accuracy for the site where displaced work done in the Museum in the future. graves were relocated due to development pressures, A witness to the long-established including those of The Brick commitment of Greenwich Village Church (an elegant Georgian grassroots preservation efforts, the structure on Beekman Street Greenwich Village Society for Historic built in 1768 and demolished, Preservation (GVSHP) has worked since despite outcry, for the 1980 to safeguard the architectural heritage construction of The New York and cultural history of Greenwich Village, Times Building in 1858). the East Village, NoHo, and beyond through research, education, and advocacy. GVSHP The Merchant’s House holds in its archival collection a wide range Museum at 29 East 4th of materials that reflect the role of the Street, near Washington Village as an icon in local and national Square Park, educates the preservation movements. GVSHP’s image public about the life of the collection consists of 300 photographs, Tredwells, a prosperous prints, slides, and negatives that chronicle merchant family, and their the preservation struggles of the Village. four Irish servants who lived GVSHP received a grant from the Archival in the house from 1835-1865, Assistance Fund in 2013 to digitize these a transformative time in New images and create a website that has made York City history. This house them publically accessible. This visual is the only family residence trove is complemented by GVHSP’s oral in the City to be preserved history series, in which Village preservation virtually intact from the pioneers tell their stories for posterity, 19th century, complete with and a collection of preservation-related Actors’ Monument at Evergreens Cemetery c. 1888, original furnishings and the manuscripts featuring leading researchers in Courtesy of Columbia University Libraries personal possessions of the the field. All are of critical importance to the cemetery’s design is the only one linked Tredwell family. The individuals essential history of the preservation community. to renowned landscape architect Andrew to the establishment and refurbishment Jackson Downing (who worked with of the Museum were founder George Originally built as a carriage house in 1799 Alexander Jackson Davis); other designers Chapman and restoration architect Joseph and converted into a hotel in 1826, the of the grounds have included Calvert Vaux, Roberto, who left critical archival materials Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, of Central Park fame. Because the cemetery that tell the story of the transformation of at 421 East 61st Street, is a site steeped in is non-sectarian, an array of ethnicities and the house to a museum in the 1930s and preservation history. Purchased in 1924 by immigrant groups are buried here, as well as its major refurbishment in the 1960s and the Colonial Dames of America (one of “social pariahs” who were not allowed to be ’70s under Roberto. His records provide the earliest societies involved with historic buried in other cemeteries. It has therefore essential information indicating what preservation) to prevent its destruction, become the final resting place of over 526,000 elements were present in the house when the site was originally interpreted as the people who represent the diverse history of he began his work and what he added, Federal-era home and garden of Abigail New York City. The Foundation’s archives date back to the cemetery’s establishment, and include burial records, maps of the cemetery, and photographs of stained glass windows located on the premises. Also included are records of the Foundation’s work to preserve and restore historic monuments and significant sites within the cemetery’s grounds. These include the tract where African-American soldiers from the Civil War lie buried, the Seaman’s Monument where thousands of merchant seamen have been buried over the past 150 years, an impressive Brewer’s Row of mausoleums built by local brewery owners, memorials Elevation of the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum, created in 1975 as part of a for the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire and Historic American Buildings Survey, Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Page 7 Adams Smith, John Adams’s daughter, who and to help develop a new audience and owned the surrounding property briefly preservation community who will take up Project Grants in 1795 but never actually lived onsite. the responsibility of preserving the cityscape The Bowne House Historical Society Research for a 12-year reinterpretation in the future. The Alliance has grown to will hire an archivist to develop an project funded by the National Endowment comprise over 180 member organizations archival collections management policy. for the Humanities led the site to change and institutions (including the Archive its name to the Mount Vernon Hotel Project, a founding member), and each The Evergreens Cemetery Museum & Garden in 2000, and to exhibit has planned a special project or program Preservation Foundation (ECPF) will its unique historic function as a day hotel for the anniversary. The Alliance’s archive review, survey, and preserve documents for travelers in Jacksonian-era New York documents the formation, development, in its special collection entitled the City. The museum’s extensive permanent and activities of the organization from “Archives of The Seaman’s Grounds,” collection of paintings, furniture, ceramics, 2012 through the present, and includes which documents the over 2,000 prints, glass, and other decorative arts and correspondence, operational records, seamen buried near the cemetery’s Seaman’s Monument. ECPF will also create a searchable online database and an archival management policy, which in turn will be shared with other historically-significant cemeteries to assist them with their archival needs.

The Merchant’s House Museum will re-house and digitally catalogue oversized materials, photographs, audiovisual materials, and slides, as well as create a finder’s guide for the Chapman and Roberto Archives.

The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden will hire an archivist to work with the curator on an archival collections management policy.

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation will enhance its oral history archive by hiring Actress Kate Loprest singing at the NYC Landmarks50 Alliance’s event at the Four Seasons restaurant in th professional sound engineers to create celebration of the 50 anniversary of the Landmarks Law, Courtesy of Tina Fineberg/The New York Times short audio clips from 20 of the full- material culture objects was organized in photographs, video and audio recordings, length oral history recordings in the 1977 by a professional curatorial staff; the press clippings, and ephemera, all significant current collection. These clips will be collection also contains photographs and records of the ongoing history of this used to highlight important segments negatives, newspaper clippings, architectural “landmark” anniversary celebration. of the interviews for educational renderings, and manuscripts relating to purposes and as a marketing tool to the building’s extensive history, as well as The variety and depth of these collections, showcase the project. They will also the preservation and interpretation of the which cover nearly 350 years of New York enhance the user experience of the building and garden in the late-19th through City history, remind us of the vast array of archive, and will allow greater utilization the 20th century. significant materials that can be found in by a larger and more diverse audience. New York City, and how important these The NYC Landmarks50 Alliance has The NYC Landmarks50 Alliance collections are as resources of information kept a detailed record of its formation, was formed in July 2012 to plan the for scholars and activists. The Archival th development, and celebratory activities commemoration of the 50 anniversary of Assistance Fund has been incredibly since its inception in 2012. The Alliance New York City’s Landmarks Law in 2015 satisfying for the Archive Project as it will reorganize and re-house this by encouraging the preservation community engenders interaction with organizations collection of materials and recordings and New York City as a whole to reflect seeking to improve the condition and in appropriate archival folders and upon and embrace the importance of organization of their archival collections. boxes and hire an archivist to create a historic preservation in shaping the City. Helping to make these improvements chronological and categorical finding The Alliance’s goal is to both broaden the possible, even on a modest scale, makes the aid for this reorganized collection. appreciation of and commitment to the Archival Assistance Fund beneficial for all admired architectural heritage of the City, those concerned.

Page 8 Attendees gathered at the Museum of the City of New York for Celebrating 50 Years of Preservation Public Service, Courtesy of the Archive Project

and reminiscences have been captured. In addition, at the event the Archive Project continued to gather the names and contact NYPAPOur Public Programs Continue toEvents Celebrate, Educate, & Inspire information of current and former staff members of the LPC in order to create a This past July the New York Preservation with curator Andrew Dolkart, and gathered master list. This document has the potential Archive Project joined forces with the together for a group photo. to be an important historical record, but it Museum of the City of New York in is still incomplete. If you are a former staff Celebrating 50 Years of Preservation The Archive Project worked closely with member or commissioner and can help Public Service with a special gathering that the City Museum to make this celebration provide names and contact information for honored past and present commissioners, interactive and capture the memories of past colleagues, please email us at info@ chairs, executive directors, and staff of the those present. Via a large wall-mounted nypap.org. The master list of names, as New York City Landmarks Preservation timeline, attendees were able to post their it currently stands, can be accessed on the Commission (LPC). Conceived as part of LPC story, populating the panel with brief, Archive Project website at www.nypap.org. the Museum’s current exhibition Saving personal memories of their work at the * * * Place: 50 Years of New York City Landmarks Commission, prompted by such questions Join us at the Brooklyn Historical Society (extended through January 3, 2016), this as, “What landmark are you most proud of on Monday, November 23rd at 6:30 p.m. unofficial reunion gathered a remarkable preserving and why?” and “What sites do for Cocktails and Conversation: An range of people who have been associated you wish were landmarks?” The Archive Evening to Honor NYC’s First Historic at some point with the Commission, from Project also had “roving reporters” on hand District. This program will celebrate the current interns to several former chairs during the celebration to capture impromptu 50th anniversary of the designation of and from local New Yorkers to an attendee interviews. The City Museum has graciously Brooklyn Heights as an historic district traveling all the way from Japan! Guests allowed our interviewers access to several with cocktails and a program featuring enjoyed cake and champagne while catching programs related to the 50th anniversary architectural historian Francis Morrone and up with colleagues, toured the exhibition exhibition, and some incredible insight Anthony C. Wood, founder and chair of the

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Stewardship Society Have you taken advantage of one of the behind-the-scene tours offered to the Archive Project’s Stewardship Society? After the recent visit to the Shubert Archive’s fantastic theatre- related collection, this fall there will be yet another wonderful opportunity to explore a part of New York City that is not typically accessible to the public: a tour of the Grand Masonic Lodge of New York on December 3rd! Located in the heart of Chelsea, the Grand Lodge’s interiors range in lavish revival styles from Renaissance to Jacobean. Stewards will be allowed access to the Lodge’s archival collections and explore the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library. As one of the world’s foremost repositories of Masonic books (with volumes detailing such topics as Masonic symbolism and occultism) and a collection that includes ritual artifacts, jewelry, artwork, and ephemera, this collection is not to be missed. The New York Preservation Archive Project is pleased to offer such inimitable experiences to our Stewardship Society, which consists of our most devoted benefactors who annually contribute $500 or more in general support. Because our work could not be done without our generous Hand-drawn map of the proposed Brooklyn Heights Historic District created by donors, the Society was created to Otis and Nancy Pearsall c. 1950, Courtesy of the Brooklyn Historical Society celebrate these supporters with a series of unique tours at institutional archives Archive Project. Designated on November Heights Association and the Community and private collections throughout New 23, 1965, the Brooklyn Heights Historic Conservation and Improvement Council, as York City. Since its launch in 2011, the District was New York City’s first historic well as concerned individuals such as Henry Society has held private viewings of district, and as such was an important step Hope Reed, Clay Lancaster, and Otis and archival treasures at such locations as in widening the scope of New York City’s Nancy Pearsall. Today the Brooklyn Heights Carnegie Hall, the Explorers Club, and Landmarks Preservation Commission— Historic District remains largely intact and is the Park Avenue Armory. until then only individual buildings had an excellent example of how a community We hope that you will consider becoming been considered for landmark designation successfully staved off major development a Steward of the New York Preservation by the newly-formed Commission. This pressures and preserved its neighborhood. Archive Project and thus a steward of the precedent-setting move was prompted by Offered in partnership with the Brooklyn history of New York City’s preservation a powerful local constituency advocating Historical Society and the Brooklyn Heights movement. To join the Society, please contact for the protection of their neighborhood Association, ticket prices for this program Matthew Coody at [email protected] or 212- in the face of major public projects that range from $80-$100. To reserve a place 988-8379, or just note “Stewardship Society” were insensitive to the area’s significant at this anniversary celebration, please visit on your donation check or online contribution. historic fabric. These activists included the Brooklyn Historical Society’s website at nascent organizations such as the Brooklyn www.brooklynhistory.org.

Page 10 Clockwise from left: A costumed Radio City Rockette collects signatures on a petition to preserve the historic Hall, 1978; Rockettes kick for the cameras at a photo exhibition advocating for the preservation of the Hall’s Art Deco interiors, 1978; Rockette Phyllis Wujko yells with delight after the announcement that the Hall would remain open, 1978; All photographs courtesy of Flashbak.com Preservation History in Quotes “Landmark designation may well be the last nail in [Radio City] Music Hall’s coffin.” - Alton Marshall It might be difficult to imagine New York spearheaded by Lieutenant Governor Mary Center complex. After a restoration in 1999, City without Radio City Music Hall, but in Anne Krupsak and a “rescue committee” Radio City Music Hall has been shining the late 1970s, that was a distinct possibility. of business, government, labor, and cultural brighter than ever. It continues to be a wildly Alton Marshall, the president of Rockefeller group representatives. Even the world- successful venue for film premieres, The Center and owner of the Hall, included famous Radio City Rockettes joined in to Radio City Christmas Spectacular, leading the above statement in his testimony at a help save the building (see above). pop and rock performances, as well as New York City Landmarks Preservation televised events including the Tony Awards Commission (LPC) hearing that would Despite Marshall’s “nail in the coffin” and the NFL Draft. Landmark designation eventually decide whether or not the iconic testimony, on March 28, 1978, Radio City hardly proved to be the death knell of Radio theater would be designated a New York City Music Hall’s interior was designated a City Music Hall, and the iconic building lives interior landmark. Marshall had announced landmark by the LPC. And although the on vibrantly. that the Hall would close in 1978 because of next year was fiscally unstable, the Music a $2.3 million deficit. Reportedly there were Hall minimized financial losses, eventually To read more about the preservation history plans to replace the Art Deco interiors with turning a profit and reopening to the public of Radio City Music Hall, please visit our offices. In response to this announcement, in 1980. Five years later the exterior was Preservation Database entry on the topic at efforts were launched to protect the building, designated as part of the larger Rockefeller www.nypap.org.

Page 11 Six generations of women in Yvonne Taylor’s family who have lived in the Coleman-Gray House, the oldest standing house in Sandy Ground, Staten Island, Courtesy of Leyla Vural

CapturingOral History Project Focusing on DiversityUntold and the Outer BoroughsStories Nears Completion

This summer the Archive Project embarked in high quality audio and are accompanied some time before 1859 and designated a on a new oral history initiative, Saving by photographs. Two interviews, so far, New York City landmark in 2011. Preservation Stories: Diversity and the Outer have also been captured on video. Once all Boroughs, and over the past few months the interviews are completed they will be Ronald Melichar is the current president great progress has been made. The goal available to the public via our website, www. of the Hamilton Heights-West Harlem of this project is to capture key memories nypap.org. Community Preservation Organization, of preservation campaigns in New York which among other quality of life issues, City, specifically those that have been Our interviewees include Mandingo deals with the preservation of West underrepresented thus far. Toward that end, Tshaka, a longtime community activist in Harlem’s architecture and its historical we are conducting oral history interviews Queens, who advocated for the archaeological and cultural significance spanning from with leading members of preservation survey and proper recognition of the Olde the Revolutionary War to the Harlem actions in the boroughs outside Manhattan, Towne of Flushing Burial Ground. The Renaissance. In 2008, Melichar was active as well as preservation initiatives significant burial ground dates back to the 1840s and in securing a new location for Hamilton to minority populations. Thanks to a grant the majority of the nearly 1,000 people Grange, Alexander Hamilton’s former from the New York Community Trust, the interred there are of African-American and home, in St. Nicholas Park, and in expanding Archive Project is poised to fill a gap in the Native-American descent. the Hamilton Heights Historic District to historical narrative of preservation in New include Sugar Hill in the early 2000s. York City over the last century. Yvonne Taylor is a founding member of the Sandy Ground Historical Society in Staten Denise Brown-Puryear and Deborah Since June the Archive Project has taken its Island, which was formed in the 1970s to Young cofounded the Crown Heights first steps to highlight the great works of promote the history of the Sandy Ground North Association in 2001 to advocate for New York’s racial and ethnic minorities. Our community and work for the preservation of the preservation of the historic buildings oral history team has so far been to Harlem, its structures, some of which are New York of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, as well as Bayside, Queens, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, City landmarks. Sandy Ground was built by revitalization, housing stabilization, and and Rossville, Staten Island to interview free blacks in the decades before the Civil the economic and cultural enhancement leaders who have changed the landscape War, and some believe it to be the oldest of its residents. Since that time they have by preserving the history, architecture, and continuously-held settlement established lead successful campaigns to create three sense of place of their neighborhoods. All by free blacks in North America. Yvonne designated historic districts in the area that of the interviews conducted for the Saving Taylor’s house is the oldest remaining include many homes built as early as the Preservation Stories project have been recorded building in Sandy Ground, constructed 1870s.

Page 12 In her interview, Denise Brown-Puryear described how people of color have, so far, gained little recognition for their work in the preservation field. “At the Historic Districts Council meeting, when [the Crown Heights North Association] all showed up, and we were [almost] all African- American...I saw the expressions on people’s faces, and they were surprised.” She hopes that by sharing her story, she can raise awareness about the contributions African- and Caribbean- Americans have made Denise Brown-Puryear and Deborah Young, cofounders of the Crown Heights North Association, photographed in Deborah’s home, to the richness of New a beautifully restored brownstone in the Crown Heights North II Historic District, Courtesy of Liz Strong York City’s culture and history. “A lot of things we do in our own least preserve the history. They can’t take and the Outer Boroughs is Liz Strong, an communities,” she explained, “we do them that away from us.” Thanks to the efforts experienced oral historian, who has quietly and silently. There’s no press. There is of Taylor and others in Sandy Ground, worked for the Columbia Center for Oral no publicity…they’ll come out with a sound four buildings have been landmarked, and History Research and the Washington State bite about something tragic, but the positive the Sandy Ground Historical Society is Department of Commerce, among others. things, which are plentiful throughout our actively engaged in outreach and education. She also recently completed her M.A. in Oral communities and always have been, are not Preservationists and organizers like Taylor History at Columbia University. Assisting on highlighted.” The Archive Project feels that have changed the landscape in New York this project as an interviewer is Leyla Vural, through our mission of bringing neglected City by fighting for recognition of the unique another recent graduate of Columbia’s Oral narratives of historic preservation into history and architectural character of their History Program. Leyla has twenty years of public view, we can begin to address this communities. But as neighborhoods change experience as a union staffer and consultant. underrepresentation. and grow, memories of their contributions She holds a Ph.D. in Geography from are in danger of being lost. Rutgers University, and is passionate about Now is the right time to be collecting these using the tools of oral history for advocacy important stories. The New York City Through the interviews we have conducted work. Landmarks Preservation Commission has so far, we have already uncovered important also recognized the underrepresentation gems. We have documented reminiscences Moving forward, the project will head north of historic outer borough sites and, in of what historic areas of the City once to focus on The Bronx, where the final recent years, has made a concerted effort looked like, gained recognition for the interview of this phase of the project will to expand its focus beyond Manhattan. significant work led by some who are no be completed. However, the Archive Project However, over the years many of these long- longer with us, and gathered valuable advice is currently developing plans to secure standing campaigns have gone unnoticed, or for future generations from a few of New additional funding so that we may continue to community leaders have been unaware of York City’s most creative and hardworking expand this important initiative. Therefore, if or unable to access preservation resources; preservationists. As Deborah Young said you have suggestions for interviewees, sites in the meantime many sites have fallen into proudly about her neighborhood in Crown significant to minority communities, sites decay or been swept aside by thoughtless Heights, “there is a lot of history here. And located in the boroughs outside Manhattan development. In Sandy Ground for example, history is education, and knowledge, and it’s that might lack documentation, or any other developers moved in quickly beginning in a resource.” What we have gathered over valuable input, please contact Liz Strong, our the 1970s. “We could see the community was the course of this oral history project will Oral History Coordinator, at lizhibbard@ changing,” said Yvonne Taylor. “Apparently add to the value of those existing historical gmail.com or the Archive Project’s Matthew the developers had a head start on us...But resources and build awareness. Coody at [email protected]. We look we thought, well, if we can’t preserve the forward to sharing the final products of this community physically as it is, we can at Leading Saving Preservation Stories: Diversity project with the public soon.

Page 13 Book Review Patience and Fortitude: Power, Real Estate, and the Fight to Save a Public Library

by Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe, Vice-Chair

For anyone interested not library system. (Sherman does only in preservation, but also point out that contrary to its in saving its story, Patience and name, the NYPL is actually Fortitude: Power, Real Estate, private and must raise its own and the Fight to Save a Public funds. The NYPL system, Library by Scott Sherman is serving Manhattan, Staten must reading. (“Patience” Island, and The Bronx, is and “Fortitude” are the an awkward combination of names given by Depression- branch libraries that receive era Mayor Fiorella La government financing, and Guardia to the statues of the the 42nd Street Library, which lions flanking the stairs at the does not. The latter has entrance to the New York been bleeding financially for Public Library’s Main Branch many years in spite of the at 42nd Street.) Sherman’s largesse of such patrons as richly documented volume, Brooke Astor.) Hence, the published this year, provides CLP included a provision a compelling account of to sell some of the NYPL’s the recent fight by a group real estate, including its three of academics, writers, book midtown libraries: the Mid- lovers, and preservationists Manhattan Library on Fifth to save the 42nd Street library Avenue between 39th and 40th in both form and function. Streets, the Science, Industry The battle was fought to and Business Library at block the implementation 34th Street and Madison of the New York Public Avenue, and the Donnell Library (NYPL) board’s Library on West 53rd Street Central Library Plan (CLP), just off Fifth Avenue. The which sought to redesign contents of these libraries the magnificent Carrère would be moved to create and Hastings edifice, merge a vast circulating library at the other three midtown the 42nd Street location in a libraries into the 42nd Street dramatically altered physical library, remove all the books space. from the famous stacks to offsite storage, and demolish Essential to the plan was the stacks themselves. As Cover of Patience & Fortitude; Courtesy of Melville House a version of the future in Sherman summarizes it, this which digital resources was “a brawl about democracy, architecture, of then-president Paul LeClerc, was a would take precedence over print. This and crucially, the role of books in the digital radical vision that virtually abandoned the approach would essentially dismantle the age.” Ultimately, the opponents of the CLP famous landmark library’s role as a research long-revered function of the NYPL as won the battle. institution in favor of remaking it into a a world-renowned research resource. In media center and neighborhood gathering the opinion of many scholars, this simply The CLP, first conceived by the NYPL place. The engine running the CLP was a would not work. As writer Caleb Crain is Trustees in 2004 under the leadership desire to gain much-needed revenues for the quoted in Patience and Fortitude, “I halt at the

Page 14 problem of how to reproduce digitally the ensued. Joan Scott, a historian at Princeton that effectively used social media. The phenomenon of having a dozen physical University, wrote an e-mail protest signed story of the fight also highlights what books open to different pages at once on by the likes of writers Salman Rushdie and Sherman views as sorry performances by my work table. In the future, will I need to Tom Stoppard. Stanley Katz at Princeton some elected officials and the LPC, which, buy a dozen iPads?” With pressing financial also got on the bandwagon of protest in according to Sherman, simply “rubber- burdens facing them, the Trustees took the early stages as did CUNY professor and stamped” elements of the CLP. their cues from individuals on the board bestselling biographer David Nasaw. (By whose backgrounds were in real estate this time, LeClerc was no longer president In the end, CSNYPL emerged victorious, or finance. They also modeled the CLP of the NYPL and his successor, Anthony and the 42nd Street library was saved on businesses such as FedEx and Netflix, Marx, was left with the task of implementing from physical and functional alteration. with heavy input from consulting firms the CLP.) Early in December 2012, the However, some provisions of the CLP McKinsey and Company and Booz Allen venerable Ada Louise Huxtable, then the were not forestalled. The Donnell Library Hamilton, none of which relate to libraries architecture critic of The Wall Street Journal, was indeed sold and has been temporarily or scholarly pursuits. In fact, according to penned a scathing indictment of the CLP housed at significant expense on East 46th Sherman, as the CLP began to take shape, entitled “Undertaking Its Destruction.” Street. A hotel and apartment structure NYPL librarians who used to be included in This was Huxtable’s last preservation essay; now stands in its former location. The discussions about library policy were shut she died soon after writing it. NYPL still plans to sell the Science, out entirely from planning and evaluation. Industry and Business Library, which has A cadre of opponents to the CLP had always been underutilized, but the Mid- In March 2008, when LeClerc announced organized initially under the leadership of Manhattan Library was retained and will that financier Stephen A. Schwartzman Simeon Bankoff and the Historic Districts be fully renovated by 2020. The saddest intended to give the NYPL a $100 million Council, and in May 2013 a not-for- part of the story for scholars and “drop- gift, the CLP had been expanded to include profit organization called the Committee in” readers may be the fact that the books plans to place the books in the famous to Save the New York Public Library removed from the stacks at 42nd Street stacks in offsite storage and, most shocking (CSNYPL) was created. Early leaders in the remain in offsite storage. of all, to destroy the stacks themselves. (As CSNYPL were architects Charles Warren Sherman points out, this new wrinkle was and Theodore Grunewald as well as film Patience and Fortitude is an engrossing not mentioned in a New York Times article on director and producer Zack Winestine. In read in its own right as the story of a Schwartzman’s gift until the 20th paragraph. 2013, the CSNYPL managed to persuade preservation battle, and Sherman certainly Indeed, the secrecy of the process in which then-mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio to makes a strong case against the plan, but the NYPL Trustees were engaged is a major speak for a few minutes in front of the readers’ understanding of the complexity theme of the book.) The final effect of library in favor of saving it from the CLP. of the issues would have been expanded the CLP, therefore, would be to destroy a (The City had pledged $100 million in had individuals on the NYPL board and beloved research institution. Gone forever funding in conjunction with Stephen A. other key CLP supporters agreed to be would be the much-beloved experience Schwartzman’s gift.) interviewed for the book. But most of of requesting a book, having it delivered them, according to Sherman, did not take from the stacks, and then perusing it in the It is beyond the scope of this review to the opportunity to do so. In any case, Rose Reading Room. Now visitors would relate the entire story of the battle, and Patience and Fortitude serves as a playbook have to wait for books to be delivered from Sherman’s wealth of detail and engaging for preservationists on fighting a campaign storage in Princeton, New Jersey. Also in narrative are well worth the purchase of to save not only a structure, internally and 2008, British architect Norman Foster the book. (For research purposes, Patience externally, but also an aspect of intellectual was charged with remodeling the revered and Fortitude boasts an excellent index.) life through its focus on access to scholarly Carrère and Hastings edifice at a projected The most important “takeaway” for resources. Sherman’s book is just the kind cost of $300 million. In the meantime, the preservationists is the detailed account of precise narrative that educates activists noble structure was renamed the Stephen of how the struggle became organized on what to anticipate, what to be wary A. Schwartzman Building. and what made it effective. The CSNYPL of, whom to listen to, and how to use all fought a modern campaign, using Twitter, a effective means to save our City’s cherished The recession of 2008 delayed the website, a Facebook page, and other social public spaces and what they offer. implementation of the CLP, and by 2011, media such as the “Humans of New York” Sherman’s editor at The Nation asked him to photo page on Facebook. Yes, traditional Patience and Fortitude was published by write an article based on reports of distress journalism and activism (including two Melville House in June 2015. Scott Sherman, that were surfacing about the NYPL lawsuits) were important, but new outreach the author, is contributing writer to The Nation. Trustees’ plan. Sherman’s article, published by—and to—younger preservationists was His work has also appeared in Vanity Fair, in December and entitled “Upheaval at critical. Indeed, there is no small irony in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles the New York Public Library,” served the fact that the digital vision at the heart Times, and other publications. as a wake-up call, and public outrage of the CLP was defeated by a strategy

Page 15 Pennsylvania Station, New York by Whitney North Seymour, Jr., July 1956; Oil on canvas, 20”x24”; Courtesy of Whitney North Seymour, Jr. Pennsylvania Station in Paint The History of Preservation Can Be Captured in Many Ways

Readers might know Whitney North Whitney North Seymour, Sr., who leveraged demolition by seven years, Seymour seemed Seymour, Jr. from his historic preservation his clout as a prominent lawyer and a well- to have already been captivated with the work in Greenwich Village and the South respected civic leader to advance the cause magnificent building that would become one Street Seaport, or his accomplished legal of preservation in New York City over of the preservation movement’s “sacrificial career and stint as New York State Senator thirty years, influencing the protection of lambs,” propelling the Landmarks Law in the 1960s. Maybe one would recall his such significant structures as Grand Central forward. If you are interested in learning term as the United States Attorney for the Terminal and Cass Gilbert’s Customs more about Seymour’s preservation work, Southern District of New York, during House at Bowling Green. But who knew the Archive Project completed an oral which he represented the United States that Whitney North Seymour, Jr. was an history with him in 2006. There is also an Government in seeking to stop The New York accomplished artist? The above work, entitled entry on Whitney North Seymour, Sr. in our Times from publishing the Pentagon Papers. Pennsylvania Station, New York, was painted by online Preservation Database. Both can be Or perhaps one is familiar with his father, Seymour in July 1956. Predating the station’s accessed via our website, www.nypap.org.

Page 16 TravelingNYPAP the World to PromoteFarther the Importance of the HistoryAfield of Preservation

The Archive Project crossed the pond Station, William Morris’s Red House, and The Archive Project is excited to be this summer for the Victorian Society the country houses of Lutyens and Voysey. attending the National Trust for Historic in America’s London Summer School. Preservation’s PastFoward Conference The Victorian Society in America (VSA) Of special interest was a visit to the archives this November in Washington, DC! The is a national not-for-profit organization of the Royal Albert Hall. As the “world’s conference will be kicking off the 50th committed to the preservation, protection, most famous stage,” the Hall’s archive anniversary celebration of the National understanding, and enjoyment of 19th- is a unique resource of culture, arts, and Historic Preservation Act. Passed in 1966, century heritage. It was founded in 1966 science heritage. The archive exists to this legislation is intended to preserve as a sister organization to historical and archaeological the Victorian Society in sites in the United States, the United Kingdom by and created the National such noted preservationists Register of Historic Places, as Brendan Gill, Henry- the list of National Historic Russell Hitchcock, and Landmarks, and the various Margot Gayle. Since then, State Historic Preservation the VSA has fulfilled its Offices. As such, it is important mission through the most far-reaching publications, architectural preservation legislation ever tours, symposia, and its enacted in the country. The summer schools, while also Archive Project is looking making contributions to forward to learning from the preservation of many the experiences that have historic buildings. shaped the preservation movement during the Matthew Coody, executive past 50 years and build director of the Archive the tools, resources, and Project, was awarded inspiration to adapt and a scholarship to study grow to meet the challenges architecture, interior design, The Victorian Society in America’s London Summer School visits the of the changing landscape art, landscape, decorative Royal Albert Hall Archive; Courtesy of Matthew Coody of the movement ahead. arts, and preservation at the London Summer record, preserve, and make accessible the School, which was founded by legendary records and artifacts that document the In part because of the Archive Project’s architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner wide variety of ways in which the Hall has current oral history project focusing on in 1974. Now in its 41st year, this dynamic been used by the British and international sites significant to minority communities, educational experience is the leading study public since its opening in 1871, and also the Archive Project’s Matthew Coody program for Victorian London, with a to record information relating to the iconic was awarded funding from the Diversity distinguished roster of experts that includes building and the organization that runs it. Scholarship Program to attend the conference course director Ian Cox and historian Gavin The archive is responsible for managing a and share his experience working to capture Stamp. The academically rigorous program collection that includes handbills, posters, diverse narratives in the preservation field. explored a considerable amount in London photographs, plans, prints, art works, The Diversity Scholarship Program supports and beyond, with trips to Brighton, Oxford, administrative records, and ephemera such attendance of both community leaders new Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool, as tickets, leaflets, and merchandising. to preservation and emerging preservation all within the span of two weeks. Matthew Matthew had the opportunity to speak with professionals. To date, over 2,100 individuals enjoyed lectures by leading scholars, the archivists on how their collection was from varying backgrounds have participated engaging social experiences with like- acquired, and how it is maintained, managed, in the program and have helped enrich the minded individuals from across the world, and circulated to the public. As just one overall preservation movement. Matthew is opportunities to get behind the scenes at example of the remarkable assortment of looking forward to sharing his knowledge museums and galleries, and private tours buildings, collections, and material objects and learning from others at the wide array of significant historic sites including the viewed during the program, one can imagine of special programming that will support Foreign Office, the Palace of Westminster, the inspirational nature of the trip and the diversity in preservation. We hope to see you the Victoria and Albert Museum, St. Pancras lasting influence it will have. in Washington!

Page 17 Notes from the Board Richard J. Moylan The following is an installment in a series highlighting the interests of members of our Board of Directors

I am a latecomer to preservation. Cemetery, defined what cemeteries are and should be. While many members dared My history at Green-Wood Cemetery dates not ask their boards for permission to go, back to 1972, when, as a teenager, I learned Green-Wood’s wise Chairman, Payson to mow lawns as efficiently as possible. As Coleman, did not hesitate to send me. The I rose through the ranks, I worried about beautiful English cemeteries and Paris’s Join the budgets, union contracts and yes, still lawn Père Lachaise were on the agenda, but most mowing. Preservation was not foremost in elucidating was visiting gardens and estates Columns Club! my mind. like Stowe, Stourhead, and Versailles. There It has been a fantastic inaugural year I learned about English landscape architect for the Columns Club, an exciting A turning point came a mere 20 years Capability Brown and how the landscape way to engage a new generation of ago when I had the good fortune to meet could work with a built environment—yes, New Yorkers in the Archive Project’s Joseph and Adrienne even a cemetery. important mission. The Columns Bresnan, architects, Club consists of young professionals preservationists, and My historic preservation ages 21-40 who donate $75 or more both Fellows of the education continued annually. Members, informally known AIA. As Vice President in 2003 when amateur as “Columnists,” are invited to special at Remco Maintenance, baseball historian Peter tours of historic places and archives Joseph was a bidder on Nash penned a book throughout New York City, unique the restoration of our about the early baseball experiences that have been created to landmark-designated stars buried at Green- appeal to the wide-ranging tastes of Gothic Arch entry Wood. At the end of his this multifaceted group. gates. He recommended research, Peter handed stripping all the coatings me original 19th-century The inaugural event was an after- that had accumulated documents he had hours flashlight tour of the nooks and over many years. I was unearthed from our non- crannies of the Dyckman Farmhouse appalled. “The structure protected records. Their Museum, a Dutch Colonial-style will look ‘old,’” I value, he estimated, was structure that is the last remaining protested. at least $50,000. From farmhouse on the island of Manhattan. that day, I became acutely The growing troupe of Columnists Of course, Joseph aware of the value of has also taken a private tour of the was right and we have Richard J. Moylan, Courtesy of our paper records. We Cathedral of St. John the Divine never looked back. The Green-Wood Cemetery continue to make great and a twilight streetcar visit through Bresnans are responsible for Green-Wood’s strides to protect our archives and to make Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, “Saved in Time” monument conservation the information available to the public. ending with wine, cheese, and a look program. They made certain I joined all through the archives. Most recently the of the right organizations and met all of Early on, the Bresnans recommended I group explored the secrets of one of the right people such as Kent Barwick, Peg attend the Bard Birthday Breakfast Benefit. New York City’s greatest icons, Grand Breen, and the Archive Project’s very own It’s an event that I will not miss. Getting Central Terminal, afterward retreating Tony Wood. To this day, they continue to to know the many extraordinary past and to the Yale Club for cocktails in the school me on historic preservation. current board members has been a highlight beautiful Main Lounge, adorned with of my preservation education—topped only rich plasterwork and portraits. A second defining moment in my growth by Tony Wood’s invitation to me to join the was a trip to Europe with the Historic Archive Project’s Board of Directors. If you are interesting in joining this hearty Cemetery Alliance, an informal group of crew of urban explorers, please contact Brad historic cemeteries of which I am now As a relatively new board member, I am Vogel at [email protected] or Matthew the Chair (probably because I am the only still learning the ropes. But it’s a privilege Coody at [email protected]. original member left!). Then-Chairman, the to count myself among such a magnificent visionary Bill Clendaniel of Mount Auburn group.

Page 18 Two New Works on NYPAP News Preservation History The City Museum Publishes New Additions to the Preservation Library

The Museum of the City of New York has both archival photographs and specially- recently published two works on preservation commissioned contemporary photographs history that deserve to be commended. of historic districts and landmark buildings Saving Place: 50 Years of New York City by the distinguished Dutch architectural Landmarks is a companion piece to the photographer Iwan Baan. Encompassing exhibition currently at the Museum through all five boroughs, these images capture the January 3, 2016. It tells the story of the past dynamic role landmarks play in the fabric 50 years of New York City’s Landmarks Law of New York City. With such a wide scope, through essays by notable New Yorkers and Saving Place serves as both a document of preservationists including Robert A.M. Stern, how preservation has evolved in New York City, and a case study on how to George McAneny in 1912, Courtesy of the Library of Congress protect the character of urban places. Charles Starks, Archive Project * * * research fellow and lecturer in urban The Museum of the City of New studies at Hunter College, is currently York also published an in-depth unearthing the untold preservation article on Albert S. Bard, the story of George McAneny (1869- “grandfather” of the Landmarks 1953). McAneny was a prominent Law, in their journal, City Courant, New York City civil servant involved the editor of which is Archive with many planning and preservation Project board member Elizabeth issues during his lifetime, including Rohn Jeffe. Written by Archive the battle to save Castle Clinton and Project founder and chair Anthony the foundation of the National Trust C. Wood, the preeminent expert on for Historic Preservation. Starks will Bard, “Preserving the Patrimony have the opportunity to share parts of of the People: Albert S. Bard and his work at two academic conferences the Landmarks Law” documents this fall. On November 7th Starks the tireless efforts of this civic will present “‘The Slums of This activist, including the origins of Neighborhood Are Doomed’: City and battle for what became known Beautiful Destruction in Manhattan, as the Bard Act of 1956. This piece 1906-1915” at the Mid-Atlantic Popular of legislation gave localities across & American Culture Association in Cover of Saving Place: 50 Years of New York City Landmarks, Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York New York State the authority to Philadelphia. He is also scheduled pass local laws to protect landmarks, to present “Reform Visions and Adele Chatfield-Taylor, Andrew S. Dolkart, and eventually enabled the creation of the Federal Power: Nationalizing Historic Françoise Bollack, Anthony C. Wood, and New York City Landmarks Law. Playing Preservation at Federal Hall and Castle Claudette Brady. These essays narrate the out over 40 years, Bard’s advocacy for the Clinton” at Researching New York, a preservation movement from its origins and importance of aesthetics includes run-ins conference on New York State history initial successes to some of its failures and with urban planner Robert Moses, struggles at SUNY Albany, November 19th-20th. most dramatic turning points. They explain with politicians, and collaborations with Funding for this research has been the processes behind designating buildings preservationists, all in his inspiring crusade provided by the Archive Project. Stay and also evaluate contemporary additions to save the heart and the soul of the tuned for a special program detailing to landmark buildings and new construction city he loved. Bard never lived to see the Starks’s findings in 2016. within historic districts. The predominately Landmarks Law get passed in 1965, but one African-American neighborhood of can be certain that he would be celebrating The Archive Project plans to undertake Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, is used as a alongside us now that the law is turning 50 a major redesign of its website in the case study for grassroots community-driven years old. Make sure to catch Bard’s saga coming months. The organization is preservation in one of the essays, and lastly, in the Spring 2015 issue of City Courant, excited to present a fresh new look there is a piece on the future of preservation available through the Museum of the City while also increasing functionality and in New York City. The book also includes of New York. access to our many resources.

Page 19 174 East 80th Street | New York, NY 10075

YOUR FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER HAS ARRIVED! The Archive Project would like to thank the New York Community Trust, 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.

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