New York Public Library's Restored Map Room Reopens Today
Magnificent Beaux-Art Map Room Returned To Former Glory
The New York Public Library's Map Room, now officially renamed the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division (that mouthful courtesy of the main donors behind the project), reopens today after a $5 million restoration project.
Largest Map Collection Of Any Public Library In World
The 7,000 square foot map room, home of the largest map collection of any public library in the world (many of which are priceless antique maps) has been restored to its former 1911 Beaux-Art magnificence. The dazzling new map room boasts colorful, historic architecture and decorations - walnut cartouches, blue-gray German marble pillars, glittering chandeliers - that were part of its original, 1911 appearance, but were lost over the years during remodeling and the aging process. The restoration took 9 months to complete, and was a cooperative venture of the above-named sponsors, the federal, and the city governments.
New Security In Place
In the wake of the notorious arrest of E. Forbes Smiley III, on suspicion of stealing antique and rare maps from Yale's Beinecke Library, the New York Public Library has installed new security measures to accompany its magnificent "new" map room. But the Map Division is keeping quiet about just what the security entails. (Refreshing to see a smart move like that!)
New Geographical Search Engine Planned By Map Division
Staff at the Map Division are working to build what sounds like an interesting search engine - a tool that will enable the user to cross-reference maps, or other items held in the Map Room, with other collections in the library, such as historical photographs, building plans, and so forth. That is definitely an idea with merit. Congrats to the Map Division on its restored home, and I for one look forward to visiting this historic space.
The New York Public Library's Map Room, now officially renamed the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division (that mouthful courtesy of the main donors behind the project), reopens today after a $5 million restoration project.
Largest Map Collection Of Any Public Library In World
The 7,000 square foot map room, home of the largest map collection of any public library in the world (many of which are priceless antique maps) has been restored to its former 1911 Beaux-Art magnificence. The dazzling new map room boasts colorful, historic architecture and decorations - walnut cartouches, blue-gray German marble pillars, glittering chandeliers - that were part of its original, 1911 appearance, but were lost over the years during remodeling and the aging process. The restoration took 9 months to complete, and was a cooperative venture of the above-named sponsors, the federal, and the city governments.
New Security In Place
In the wake of the notorious arrest of E. Forbes Smiley III, on suspicion of stealing antique and rare maps from Yale's Beinecke Library, the New York Public Library has installed new security measures to accompany its magnificent "new" map room. But the Map Division is keeping quiet about just what the security entails. (Refreshing to see a smart move like that!)
New Geographical Search Engine Planned By Map Division
Staff at the Map Division are working to build what sounds like an interesting search engine - a tool that will enable the user to cross-reference maps, or other items held in the Map Room, with other collections in the library, such as historical photographs, building plans, and so forth. That is definitely an idea with merit. Congrats to the Map Division on its restored home, and I for one look forward to visiting this historic space.
posted by Neil Street at 7:40 AM
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