Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

September 26, 2023

NYPL photo exhibition captures quirkiness of NYC subway in the 1970s

A new photo exhibition at the New York Public Library captures the everyday interactions of New Yorkers taking the subway in the late 1970s. Located in the Print Gallery of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, "New York Subways 1977: Alen MacWeeney" features 42 diptychs created by Irish-American photographer Alen MacWeeney that show New Yorkers on crowded and graffiti-filled subway cars. The free exhibition is on display now through January 7, 2024.
learn more about the photo exhibition
August 23, 2021

Original copy of the Bill of Rights, lock of Beethoven’s hair on display at new NYPL treasures exhibit

The New York Public Library's much-anticipated permanent exhibition of rotating rare objects and artifacts finally opens to the public next month. First announced in 2018, the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures features 250 unique, historic items from the library's incredible holdings, which includes more than 45 million objects in its research collections. Highlights include Thomas Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence, Charles Dickens' writing desk, a letter written by James Baldwin to Angela Davis, the 1811 Comissioners' Map and Survey of Manhattan Island, and much more.
More details here
March 6, 2019

NYPL’s new entrance and public plaza on 40th Street gets green light from Landmarks

The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved the New York Public Library's plan to add a new public entrance and plaza to its Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Midtown. The changes fall under the library's larger master renovation plan, a $317 million project first unveiled in 2017. The LPC approved the changes to the exterior of the building--subject to the city's landmark rules--after design modifications suggested at a presentation in February were made by the library, Curbed NY reported.
Find out more
October 25, 2018

Enjoy frightful films and a costume parade judged by Tim Gunn at the NYPL’s Halloween bash

The New York Public Library is hosting the ultimate costume contest this Halloween, forcing participants to really "make it work." Not only must costumes be inspired by a book or author, but they will also be judged by Project Runway star and fashion consultant Tim Gunn. The Halloween Masquerade event takes place on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
Get more details here
September 13, 2018

See George Washington’s handwritten farewell address and more at NYPL’s new permanent exhibit

The New York Public Library announced on Thursday it will open a permanent exhibition of rotating treasures at their Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street location. The exhibit will be the first to showcase the depth of the library's holdings, which includes over 46 million items in its research collection. While the specifics are still being determined, some notable artifacts from the collection being considered for the treasures exhibit include the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson, a handwritten farewell address from George Washington, the original Winnie-The-Pooh, writings from Lou Reed, and manuscript material from Maya Angelou.
See the treasures
November 16, 2017

NYPL unveils $317M master plan and renderings for iconic main branch

At a Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday evening, The New York Public Library revealed the $317 million master plan that will guide the renovation of the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. The plan was developed by Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo and the NYC-based Beyer Blinder Belle. The historic Midtown Beaux-Arts building is home to one of the nation’s leading research libraries as well as historic spaces like the landmarked Rose Main Reading Room, the Maps, Periodicals, and Genealogy reading rooms, and Astor Hall.
This way for more renderings and what's to come