Midtown South in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York

Designated Landmark New York City

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 23, 2017

1. The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York Marker

Inscription.
Designed in 1890 by architects Lamb & Rich and built in 1892 as the Berkeley School for Boys, this handsome Neo-Classical structure is clad in limestone, yellow Roman brick and terra cotta. The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen purchased the building in 1899. A 1903-05 expansion was designed by Ralph Samuel Townsend and financed by Andrew Carnegie. The upper stories feature wrought-iron fire escapes and a partial reproduction of the Parthenon frieze taken from casts in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum. The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen was founded in 1785 to provide education and services to the working classes of New York City.

New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation
2003

Erected 2003 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 40° 45.319′ N, 73° 58.881′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Midtown South. It is on West 44th Street west of Fifth Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 West 44th Street, New York NY 10036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: The Association of the Bar of the City of New York (a few steps from this marker); The Harvard Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Penn Club of New York (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Yacht Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Literary Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Engine Company 65 (within shouting distance of this marker); Algonquin Hotel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1100 Avenue of the Americas (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . . The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Bldg -- No. 20 West 44th Street. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, June 24, 2017

2. The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York

The plaque is to the left of the entrance.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 4, 2017

3. The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York

Ancillary marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.