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

Astor Library

"Heritage of New York"

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 30, 2017

1. Astor Library Marker

Inscription. This Italianate structure, begun in 1849 and completed in 1881 was built by John Jacob Astor, whose sons later added the north and center sections. Three architects contributed to its design: Alexander Saeltzer (South Wing, 1849-1853); Griffith Thomas (Center Section, 1856-1859); and Thomas Stent (North Wing, 1879-1881). Originally the City's first major library broadly accessible to the public, the Astor collection was combined with the Tilden Trust and Lenox Library in 1912 to form the nucleus of the New York Public Library.

Plaque erected 1967 by
The New York Community Trust

Erected 1967 by The New York Community Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 40° 43.742′ N, 73° 59.509′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in NoHo. It is on Lafayette Street north of East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 425 Lafayette Street, New York NY 10003, 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 distance of this marker: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (a few steps from this marker); Colonnade Row (within shouting distance

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of this marker); A Tower Of Music (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Cooper (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paresis Hall (about 300 feet away); Peter Cooper Park (about 400 feet away); Astor Place Riot! (about 400 feet away); The Cooper Union (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. United HIAS Service (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Astor Library. The building is listed in the "AIA (American Institute of Architects) Guide to New York City, Fifth Edition".

Also see . . .
1. Astor Library (Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 14, 2017.)
2. The Old Astor Library, Now the Joseph Papp Public Theater (New York Times, Feb. 10, 2002). (Submitted on July 14, 2017.)
3. The 1854 Astor Library. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on March 20, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Astor Library Marker - Wide View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 30, 2017

2. Astor Library Marker - Wide View

The marker is to the immediate left of the entrance, with a generic National Register of Historic Places plaque and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society historical marker to its left.

Formerly the Astor Library, Now the Joseph Papp Public Theater image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 30, 2017

3. Formerly the Astor Library, Now the Joseph Papp Public Theater

The NYPL abandoned the building in 1911, and the books were moved to the NYPL's newly constructed building by Bryant Park. In 1920, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society purchased it. By 1965 it was in disuse and faced demolition. The Public Theater (then the New York Shakespeare Festival) persuaded the city to purchase it for use as a theater. It was converted for theater use by Giorgio Cavaglieri. The building is a New York City Landmark, designated in 1965. - Wikipedia

<i>Interior view of the Astor Library, New York</i> image. Click for full size.

Wood engraving in Gleason's Pictorial, 1854, v. 6, p. 124, courtesy of the Library of Congress, 1854

4. Interior view of the Astor Library, New York

John Jacob Astor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne

5. John Jacob Astor

Detail of c. 1825 portrait by John Wesley Jarvis. National Portrait Gallery.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 910 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on March 20, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5. submitted on February 6, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.