The Library was delighted to be a venue for Open House New York 2016. Over the weekend of October 15 and 16 we gave tours to about 40 visitors, sharing information about the Library's history, building, and activities. Attendees were excited to learn about the Library and asked many questions that may not come up among those who are here all the time. A few fun facts raised over the weekend:

Our building is a century old this year.
53 East 79th Street was originally a mansion, designed in 1916 by the architectural firm of Trowbridge & Livingston and completed during 1917 and 1918. John Shillito Rogers and his wife Catherine Dodge Rogers lived here with their five children and roughly a dozen servants. Mr. Rogers was a lawyer and World War I veteran who, sadly, died of a heart attack aged only 58, in 1935. His widow then sold the building to the Library. Following substantial renovations by book-stack specialists Snead & Company, we moved in during 1937. More here about building's creation and the move to 79th Street.

The building itself is made out of limestone.

Why is the Green Alcove where it is?
One of the building's nicest secrets is the John Cleve Green alcove at the southeast corner of Stack 12. Its portrait, plaque, and ceiling were all moved to the space from our previous building at University Place and 12th Street. That stack houses our books on architecture and art, and the Green Alcove was put there on purpose: an 1877 bequest from Mr. Green was specifically directed toward the acquisition of art books. Here's a brief introduction to the Green Art Collection. Christopher Gray gave us an interesting article about the alcove's history. 

And how did John Cleve Green make his fortune?
All the tea in China! Mr. Green was a partner in Russell & Co., a major trading firm based in New York and Canton, China. More on Mr. Green here - plus a second portrait showing him at a different age than ours in the Green Alcove. 

Oh, I love Babar!
The Children's Library is honored to display this beautiful print signed by its artist, Laurent de Brunhoff. Babar was originally created by his parents, Jean and Cecile de Brunhoff, and has been drawn by the younger M. de Brunhoff since 1946. Lots of Babar books here. 

That name rings a bell.
Scholars who consult our Special Collections do so in a room named for Charles Henry Marshall. Book-loving Mr. Marshall died in 1952; his widow subsequently married Vincent Astor, becoming the famous philanthropist Brooke Astor. In the early 1980s, a gift from Mrs. Astor enabled the conversion of the fourth floor from a private apartment (previously inhabited by Head Librarians) into a staff/rare book area.  

Nice frame!
One of the building's most ornate decorations is this frame, which hangs in the Whitridge Room. Its plaque reads Louis II de Bourbon; however, experts tell us that there's no way the young man in the portrait is in fact that Louis. We await the mystery writer who will craft a novel around the anonymous portrait in its elegant frame...

That glowing paneling in the Members' Room is walnut.

Is that the same guy?
We often tell the story of Sarah Parker Goodhue's wonderful 1917 bequest of funds, books, china, and art. The historic portraits in the main stairwell and the Members' Room show her husband's distinguished ancestors from the Clarkson and Goodhue families. What you may not notice is that two of the portraits document the same man, Mrs. Goodhue's father-in-law, at different ages. A young Jonathan Goodhue looks over the Reference Desk, while a Jonathan Goodhue in the prime of life gazes calmly out at the Members' Room. Same guy, but two artists and two periods: takes a sharp eye to spot the resemblance. 

We were proud to be a part of Open House New York this year. Find them on Facebook or Twitter to get first notice of next year's Open House weekend.