The main branch of the New York Public Library is celebrating it's 100th birthday this year. Actually it is 42nd street building that is 100 years old. The library itself was established in 1895 when the Astor and Lenox Libraries with the Tilden Trust were consolidated.
Often referred to as the Main branch, it is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Mr. Schwarzman, 2/14/1947, is the Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Investment Group. Worth $5.9 billion, he has compared President Obama's plan to raise carried interest taxes, share of profits paid to an investment manager, as equal to Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939. He gave the Library $100 million, hence the name change.
Designed and constructed by Carrere and Hastings, the Beaux-Arts building is the largest marble structure ever attempted in the U.S. It stands on what used to be the Croton Reservoir. 500 workers spent 2 years dismantling the reservoir and preparing the site.
More than 15 million items are in the library and they include the Gutenberg Bible and Thomas Jefferson's copy of the Declaration of Independence. While it is called the public library and is open to the public it is funded by private contributions.
Happy Birthday!
