Learning Places Fall 2016 LIBRARY / ARCHIVE REPORT New York Historical Society & New York Public Library Nevnihal Durhan 11.30.2015 INTRODUCTION In this report we asked to revisit the New York Public Library, New York Historical Society or Lincoln Center Archives to get more informations about our project. I went to New York Public Library and Lincoln Center Archives. PRE-VISIT REFLECTION
Prior to site visit,l was expecting to find more sources about my project. I was wondering if l can find the master plans of the buildings so l can use this information in my final project as well. After some research done on NYPL I found some books and also Architect records from 1900 1980. Architect records was kept in the archives. With the librarian s help l get a chance to visit NYPL archives. However archiver told me that due to security reasons they can't share architectural drawings of Lincoln Center for Performing Arts. Because l didn't find enough information in New York Public Library, l went back to New York Historical Society to search about how was the neighborhood looks like before Lincoln Center construction. Finally l found better information sources in New York Historical Society. SOURCES FOUND 1. The author : New York Public Library Central Administration. Architect Title of Document: Architect records, ca. 1900-1980 Genre /Form : Architectural Drawings. Floor Plans Found Inc. : (CStRLIN) NYPW92-A24 Call no: MssArc 5015 2. The Author : Donn Barber Title of Document : New York Architect Vol : 3 Year :1909 Call No: NA1. N6 Published By: The Harwell - Evans Company 3. The Author : Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library. Title of Document : Manhattan Land Book of the City of New York. Desk and Library Edition. 1955.! 1
DOCUMENTATION of site & resources (maps/archival documents/ photos) Plate 20, Part of Section 3,4 & 5 : New York Historical Society version of San Juan Hill! 2
Plate 87, Part of Section 4 : New York Historical Society version of now Lincoln Square Philharmonic Hall, New York State Theater and Dampish Park can be seen clearly in this map Plate 87, Part of Section 4. New York Public Library version of San Juan Hill Lincoln Center will be construct to this lot.! 3
DISCOVERIES 1. Neighborhood History a. It was named San Juan Hill 2. Key Events / Historical Dates a. 1955 Lincoln Square was zoned for urban renewal b. 1959 Lincoln Center for Performing arts construction started c. 1962 Lincoln Center for Performing arts construction is finished 3. Key Players a. Robert Moses b. John D. Rockefeller 4. Relationship Key Players a. Urban Planner 5. Public Perception of Key Events a. San Juan Hill was converted to Lincoln Square in 1906 6. Important Changes to Neighborhood a. Lincoln Center changed the face of the neighborhood b. It became a new destination for art performances. QUANTITATIVE DATA for Area of Study! 4
Subject Data Land Ownership city owned Number of Blocks 3 blocks # of Buildings on a Typical Block one Materials concrete, marble,glass # of Stories of Buildings five and six stories Residential Bldgs Empty Lots Commercial Uses opera, restaurant, theater, library Industrial Uses n/a QUESTIONS to Research Further QUESTIONS: 1. Architects influences and architectural elements? 2. master plan? 3. Robert Moses and Urban plan? RESEARCH METHOD/ ADDITIONAL SOURCES NEEDED TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION ABOVE:! 5
1. Question 1 a. Lincoln Center for performing arts archives 2. Question 2 a. New York Public Library archives 3. Question 3 a. New York Historical Society archives SUMMARY / POST VISIT REFLECTION In conclusion, even though I weren't able to get information from New York Public Library archives, The New York Historical Society allowed me to get a chance to better understanding about Lincoln Center neighborhood. Also, I m so happy that I learned we all can use the archives and it is all open the public.! 6