Building America: Highlights from the Architectural Collections

The New-York Historical Society’s vast architectural collections are made up of more than 500,000 drawings dating from the late-18th century through the present. These include floor plans (both on linen and blueprints), elevations, cross sections, presentation drawings, landscape plans, and watercolor renderings from the likes of Cass Gilbert, Benjamin Latrobe, McKim, Mead & White, George Post, and Calvert Vaux, among others. This installation―the first in a series to highlight these rich holdings―showcases John McComb Jr.’s early 19th-century drawings for City Hall, including the first idea for the cupola of City Hall, and A.J. Davis’ watercolors of 19th century domestic and ecclesiastical architecture. 

Mon & Tue CLOSED
Wed & Thu 11am – 5pm 
Fri 11am – 8pm 
Sat & Sun 11am – 5pm 

1st floor, Leah & Michael Weisberg Monumental Treasures Wall
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)

New York, NY