BACKSTAGE AT THE ASTOR LIBRARY

Scroll down to read the story.

To view the complete drawings, click here.

THE ASTOR LIBRARY 1853-1911

The Astor Library as it appeared in the late 1880's.

1860-1879

Courtesy NYPL

The Astor Library (Public Theater) as it appears today.

Courtesy Lloyd Westerman

The Colonnades across the street.

Courtesy NYPL

32 Bond Street, site of the first (and temporary) quarters of the Astor Library. A shadow is all that remains of the building: the western wall.

Courtesy NYPL

The lot to the south of the library property (now # 421) was previously the location of the residence of William Blackstone Astor, and the iron fence from the property survives in the south alley.

The central skylights in the south, north and (probably) central halls were of hexagonal blocks of vault glass, like those seen in many a Soho sidewalk. In 2002, the survive only in North Hall (Martinson Theater).

Courtesy NYSF

Frederick Saunder's "Historical Sketch" of the Astor Library.

1911

Courtesy NYSF

Today

SOUTH HALL (CONSTRUCTED 1850-1853) ALEXANDER SAELTZER, ARCHITECT

Courtesy NYPL

South Hall looking east, 1888-1911, below same view today

Courtesy NYSF

South Hall, third floor, looking east 1911

Same view today (Luesther Theater)

1860-1879

Courtesy NYSF

CENTRAL HALL (CONSTRUCTED 1856-1859) GRIFFITH THOMAS, ARCHITECT

Courtesy NYPL

The Ladies Corner, Central Building

Courtesy NYPL

Similar view today, Anspacher Theater

NORTH HALL (CONSTRUCTED 1879-1881) THOMAS STENT, ARCHITECT

When the North building (far left) was added, a faux fourth story facade crowned the three structures. The windows are dummies, and there is no structure behind them. Circa 1881.

Circa 1881.

"New York 1880"

North Hall, 1911

Courtesy Braden Brothers

North Hall, 1911

Courtesy Braden Brothers

Circa 1890's

Courtesy NYPL

Same view today

Courtesy NYPL

THE ASTOR LIBRARY IN OPERATION

Scrubwomen at the Astor Library circa 1910

John Sloan, collection of Munson Wlliams Proctor Arts Institute, Utica

Same view, 2002, Cleaning crew (PBM) Public Theater, Manus Baptiste, Jonas Arthur, and Hernando Giraldo.

Periodicals 1911

Courtesy NYPL

Same view 2002

Catalogue Division 1911 (left), same view Joe's Pub, 2002 (right)

Delivery Desk 1911

Courtesy NYPL

Same (?)

Courtesy NYPL

Women of the Slavonic Division, 1911

Courtesy NYPL

"New York 1880"

Courtesy NYPL

New York Society Library, University Place

Ottendorfer Library

East side of Fourth Avenue, south across 10th St.

Courtesy NYPL

New York Times, February 19, 1911

New York Times, April 16, 1911

Ramps for book removal, Central Hall (Anspacher Theater), 1911

Courtesy NYPL

Same. Note framed drawing (left) of new 42nd Street Library. Now the Anspacher Theater.

Courtesy NYPL

AFTER THE LIBRARY: HIAS 1920-1965

The next occupant of the building, the Hebrew Immigrant Aids Society (HIAS)

New York Times, January 12, 1920

First floor, North Building (Immigrant processing), circa 1940.

Courtesy HIAS

Future President Eisenhower, then President of Columbia University, circa 1948

Courtesy HIAS

"HIAS" lettering still visible today on the north building

JOSEPH PAPP'S THE PUBLIC THEATER 1966-PRESENT DAY, GEORGIO CAVAGLIERE, ARCHITECT

New York Times, December 27, 1964

Circa 1966

Joe Papp outside his candy store, circa 1967

Courtesy Mademoiselle Magazine, June 1971

New York Times, January 6, 1966

Anspacher Theater under construction in the Central Hall, c 1966

Courtesy Avery

Shiva Theatre

Courtesy Avery

Projection room of "The Little Theatre," north hall, now the Archives overlooking the Rehearsal Room.

Courtesy Avery

Construction of the Newman Theater stage left wing and Carpenter shop (later Properties shop)

Courtesy NYSF

New York Times, June 17, 1970

Main Foyer 1970

Courtesy Avery

Circa 1977

New York Times, February 10, 2002

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: DAN DALRYMPLE

This project grew out of the author's personal investigations into the building while he was employed by the NYSF carpentry and property shops. Upon completion the book was well-received by current and former staff, including Joe Papp's former right-hand man Bernard Gersten and Joe's widow, Gail M. Papp. When the new front steps to the Public Theater were constructed in 2013, a copy of the book was included in the time capsule placed in the foundation.

Dan Dalrymple was born and reared in Washington, D.C. where his mother was employed by the Library of Congress as a writer of histories. Dan moved to New York City to attend Parsons for illustration, ultimately spending fifteen years in the City, working primarily in scenic and display carpentry, properties and sculpture for a number of theatres and shops. Since 2008 he has divided his time between Maine where he works as a finish carpenter and New Orleans, where he crafts floats for the Mari Gras.

CONTACT US

Contact Dan Dalrymple c/o Bob Foreman

lovethatbob13@gmail.com