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
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.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. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
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.)
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.
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
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
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 435 times since then and 124 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. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
