New York Public Library, Aguilar Branch

The Aguilar Branch of the New York Public Library was among only a few circulating libraries built particularly to benefit poorer Jewish immigrants in New York and was the only building commissioned and erected by the Aguilar Free Library Society. It was enlarged and given a new facade after the consolidation with the New York Public Library in 1903 with funds from Andrew Carnegie.

It serves as a reminder of the legacy of private philanthropic support of the city’s libraries during the late nineteenth century. It is a distinguished Classical Revival style design by the architectural firm Herts & Tallant, predominantly theater architects. It retains great architectural integrity, and continues to be used as a public library.

STATUS Designated Individual Landmark

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The Neighborhood

East Harlem

East Harlem encompasses a large section of northeastern Manhattan bounded by 96th Street, 142nd Street, Fifth Avenue and the Harlem River. Also known as El Barrio, the area is famous as one of the largest predominantly Latino neighborhoods in the city. Echoing development patterns across...

Aaron Dexter, Academic Classic, Adamesque, Addisleigh Park, Admiral's Row, African American, Al Smith, American Aesthetic, American Art Deco, American Colonial, ... VIEW ALL

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Local Voices

“I don’t know what the City would be without HDC. [They] testified before LPC time after time and helped us focus on the right issues. We would not be an historic district without HDC! ”

Doreen Gallo: DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance

Local Voices

“Use HDC as a resource because they know what they are doing and can offer advice on how to go about creating a district from every front: architectural, political, LPC, and the media. I had floundered prior to my involvement with this invaluable organization.”

Fern Luskin: Lamartine Place Historic District; Friends of Lamartine Place & Gibbons Underground Railroad Site

Local Voices

“HDC provided guidance and shared information during that process—we knew which Council members were going one way or another and we changed a few minds. I don’t think NoHo would have had as cohesive a district had it not been for HDC’s aid.”

Zella Jones: NoHo Historic District; NoHo East; and NoHo Extension

Local Voices

“I remember Richard saying at a meeting, we have someone here from HDC, Nadezhda Williams, Director of Preservation and Research, to help us. She said to us, ‘You are not the only ones going through this.’ HDC included us in an enormous community”

Erika Petersen: West End Preservation Society