- unitid
-
{"value"=>"MssArc RG2 4856", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"4856", "type"=>"local_mss"}
- unitdate
-
{"value"=>"1866-1915", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1866/1915"}
- unittitle
-
{"value"=>"Lenox Library records"}
- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"simple", "value"=>"35 linear feet (86 boxes, 20 Volumes"}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library. New York Public Library Archives.</span><div class=\"address\"> <span class=\"addressline\">Stephen A. Schwarzman Building</span> <span class=\"addressline\">Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788</span></div>"}
- abstract
-
{"value"=>"NYPL Archives Record Group 2 consists of the records of the Lenox Library, a non-circulating research library founded by James Lenox (1800-1880) in New York City in 1870. In 1895 the Lenox Library was consolidated with the Astor Library and the Tilden Trust to form The New York Public Library."}
- langmaterial
-
{"value"=>"English"}
- prefercite
-
{"value"=>"<p>Lenox Library Records, The New York Public Library Archives, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.</p>"}
- origination
-
{"value"=>"Lenox Library", "type"=>"corpname"}
- bioghist
-
{"value"=>"<p>The Lenox Library grew out of the private book collection of James Lenox (1800-1880). Lenox, a lifelong bachelor of Scottish Presbyterian descent, inherited a large fortune from his father's commercial import business augmented by astute real estate investments. In 1840 Lenox retired from business to oversee his investments and devote himself to his true passions: bibliography and his book and art collections. With a genuine sense of philanthropic spirit Lenox decided to create a \"public\" library. In 1870 the act of incorporation was passed, a nine member board of trustees chosen, and plans were begun for a library building to house the collections held in Lenox's home. The architect selected was Richard Morris Hunt (1827-1895) and the site (given by Lenox) was Fifth Avenue between 70th and 71st streets in Manhattan. Construction continued for seven years until the first public exhibition was held in 1877.</p> <p>In 1872 Lenox's friend and fellow bibliophile, George Henry Moore (1823-1892), formerly librarian of the New York Historical Society, became the Lenox Library's first Superintendent while also serving as a member of the board of trustees. An Americana specialist and noted bibliographer, Moore was responsible for the publication of short title lists and the Lenox catalog: <span class=\"title\">Contributions to a Catalogue of the Lenox Library</span> of which there were six volumes. Moore also was directly involved with almost every aspect of the operations of the Library, from annual reports to individual admission tickets.</p> <p>In 1885 Wilberforce Eames (1855-1937) came to work for Moore as a private assistant. In 1892 Eames became assistant librarian, replacing the current librarian, S.A. Alibone, who retired. Eames, with little formal schooling, taught himself several languages and had become a highly accomplished bibliographer. After Lenox and Moore, Eames was the third dominant force in the history of the Lenox Library.</p> <p>While both free and open to the public, the Lenox Library required the public to apply by mail for nontransferable admission tickets which were then returned to the applicant by mail and had to be presented to gain admission to the galleries. No one was admitted without a ticket. This policy, along with the fact that not only was the library non-circulating, but that most of its holdings were for display purposes only, led to a great deal of public antipathy towards the library. Especially in the press, the Lenox was regularly vilified as elitist and unwelcoming. For their part, the Lenox trustees had based their admission policy on the British Museum's system and given the rarity of their holdings saw nothing wrong with it. Perhaps part of the problem arose from the general perception that the term \"Free Public Library\" meant different things to different people. According to Charles Ammi Cutter, \"Every librarian knows that the Lenox Museum as it should have been called, was not intended to be a free circulating library for the poor of New York, nor even a library of reference for the literary man anxious to throw off a magazine article...in the quickest possible time... One might as well complain that the Zoological Museum does not give up its stuffed birds to furnish Christmas dinners to the poor.\"</p> <p>After the death of James Lenox in 1880, the Library continued to expand its holdings, mainly through gift and bequest. The library dropped its admission ticket policy in 1887 and made its book collections more accessible to scholars. While these and other liberalisms improved its public image somewhat, the trustees were growing increasingly concerned about their long-term financial viability. When, in the Spring of 1894, the Astor Library trustees began merger talks with the Tilden Trust, the Lenox trustees joined the discussions. The consolidation of the three in 1895 formed a new corporation: The New York Public Library.</p> <ul class=\"chronlist\"> <div class=\"head\">Lenox Library Chronology</div> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1800</span> <span class=\"event\">James Lenox Born</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1818</span> <span class=\"event\">Graduated Columbia College</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1821</span> <span class=\"event\">Master's Degree Columbia/Princeton</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1826</span> <span class=\"event\">Joined father's import business</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1840</span> <span class=\"event\">Retired from business, residence at 53 Fifth Avenue. Began serious collecting.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1870 January 20</span> <span class=\"event\">Lenox Library incorporated; 9 member Board of Trustees including Aaron B. Belknap, Secretary.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1870 March 15</span> <span class=\"event\">Received endowment of $300,000 from James Lenox.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1870 April 17</span> <span class=\"event\">Received deed for future library site: 5th Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets. Richard Morris Hunt chosen as architect.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1871 May</span> <span class=\"event\">Foundation laid. Additional $100,000 given by Lenox.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1872 October 3</span> <span class=\"event\">George Henry Moore elected Trustee and appointed Superintendent of Library.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1876</span> <span class=\"event\">Partial transfer of book and art collection from residence to new Lenox Library.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1877</span> <span class=\"event\">First Library exhibition, paintings and sculpture only. Construction continues, Library open 2 days weekly. <span class=\"title\">Contributions to a Catalogue of the Lenox Library</span>, volume 1, <span class=\"title\">Voyages of Hulsius</span> published.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1878</span> <span class=\"event\">November Gift of Duyckinck collection: 15,000 volumes, plus additional quantity of pamphlets and manuscripts.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1878 March 6</span> <span class=\"event\">Samuel A. Allibone appointed Librarian.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1879</span> <span class=\"event\"> <span class=\"title\">Contributions to a Catalogue of the Lenox Library</span>, volumes 2-4 published.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1880 February 17</span> <span class=\"event\">James Lenox dies.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1880 March</span> <span class=\"event\">Robert Lenox Kennedy (nephew) elected president of Board of Trustees.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1880 June 4</span> <span class=\"event\">Aaron B. Belknap dies.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1880</span> <span class=\"event\"> <span class=\"title\">Contributions to a Catalogue of the Lenox Library</span>, volume 5 published.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1881</span> <span class=\"event\"> <span class=\"title\">Contributions to a Catalogue of the Lenox Library</span>, volume 6 published.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1884</span> <span class=\"event\">Astoin collection gift: 5,000 volumes on French bibliography.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1885</span> <span class=\"event\">Wilberforce Eames hired as assistant to Superintendant Moore.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1886 July 6</span> <span class=\"event\">Henrietta Lenox dies. Her will leaves $100,000 for purchase of books, as well as deed to land adjacent to Library with restrictions on future use.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1887</span> <span class=\"event\">Use of admission tickets discontinued.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1887 October 6</span> <span class=\"event\">Library notifies Alibone that his job will end on May 1, 1888 due to lack of funds.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1892</span> <span class=\"event\">Stuart Collection bequest of 12,000 volumes and 240 paintings.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1892 May 5</span> <span class=\"event\">George Henry Moore dies.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1892 October 7</span> <span class=\"event\">Eames appointed Assistant Librarian, retroactive to May 1.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1893 June 3</span> <span class=\"event\">Eames appointed Librarian.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1893</span> <span class=\"event\">The library of George Bancroft purchased for $84,492. Collection comprises 15,000 volumes, 5,000 pamphlets, 486 manuscripts.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1894</span> <span class=\"event\">Emmet newspaper collection purchased.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1895</span> <span class=\"event\">The New York Public Library is incorporated. Lenox Library building continues in use as division of the New York Public Library.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1896</span> <span class=\"event\">Emmet manuscript and book collection given by John S. Kennedy.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1911 March 18 - April 12</span> <span class=\"event\">Lenox collections moved to central building. Lenox Library building closed.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1912</span> <span class=\"event\">Lenox building formally turned over to Henry Clay Frick, who had purchased it in 1906.</span></li> <li class=\"chronitem\"> <span class=\"date\">1912 July</span> <span class=\"event\">Building demolished.</span></li></ul>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p>The records of the Lenox Library span the years 1866-1915, with the bulk dating from 1870-1895. They document the founding and operation of the Library, including rare book purchases from Europe and America, reader's statistics, and general library administration. The records consist of handwritten, typed and printed documents, loose and in volumes.</p> <p>A small number of items date from after the 1895 consolidation of the Lenox Library with the Astor Library and Tilden Trust to form The New York Public Library. After consolidation, NYPL Director John Shaw Billings established his office in the Astor Library building. The Lenox Library was administered, by Wilberforce Eames, as a self-contained research branch of the NYPL up to the move into the new Central Building in 1911. At that time part of the Lenox collection was kept intact to form the American History Division with Eames as its first chief.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The Lenox Library records are arranged in six series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/nypla/4856#c641577'>Series I. Board of Trustees - General Administration</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1870-1895</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>2 linear feet</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Lenox Library Board of Trustees consisted of nine members including a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The first board meeting was on January 28, 1870 with James Lenox as its President and Treasurer and Aaron B. Belknap as Secretary. In addition to directing this policy making body as its President, James Lenox oversaw much of the Library's bibliographic selections until his death in 1880 when he was succeeded by his nephew, Robert Lenox Kennedy. The last President of the Library was John Stewart Kennedy who served from 1887-1895.</p> <p>The material in this series spans the years 1870-1895. It documents the founding of the library, the design and construction of the Library building, and general library history. The records consist of Annual Reports, Architectural Records, Records of Donors, 1870-72. The set of printed annual reports is complete, covering the period to consolidation. The set of draft reports, however, is not complete. Correspondents include Richard Morris Hunt (1828-1895).</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/nypla/4856#c641603'>Series II. Board of Trustees - President</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1870-1880</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>1.5 linear feet</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>With the incorporation of the Lenox Library in 1870 James Lenox (1800-1880) became the first President of the Board of Trustees. In addition to giving the endowment, land, and collections for the library, he selected the architect and supervised the initial plans for the library building. Lenox was not simply a wealthy collector and library patron, but a capable and discerning bibliographer and scholar in his own right. In the early years of the library he remained the chief bibliographer, corresponding with booksellers such as Henry Stevens, B. Quaritch and E.G. Allen, making most of the library's acquisitions decisions himself. With the arrival of George Moore as Superintendent in 1872, these duties gradually shifted to Moore.</p> <p>After the death of Lenox in 1880, his nephew, Robert Lenox Kennedy (1822-1887) was elected President. At this time all bibliographic duties became Supt. Moore's responsibility, leaving Kennedy to guide the Board's policy decisions for the Library. R.L. Kennedy died in 1887 during a return voyage from Europe and was succeeded as President by John Stewart Kennedy (1830-1909), who continued in this office until the formation of the New York Public Library in 1895. Kennedy then became one of the original Trustees of the NYPL.</p> <p>The office of the president contains only records from James Lenox's term. The annotated booksellers catalogs, in addition to their bibliographical value, contain information relating to the provenance of some of the library's holdings.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/nypla/4856#c641612'>Series III. Board of Trustees - Secretary</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1870-1895</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>.5 linear feet</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Secretary of the Lenox Library was responsible for keeping the Minutes of the Board of Trustees and for general correspondence. Aaron B. Belknap, the first Secretary of the Lenox Library served from 1870-1876, when he became Treasurer. George H. Moore, Superintendent of the Library in 1872, succeeded Belknap and held both offices until his death in 1892. Alexander Maitland was the last Secretary, serving from 1892 until consolidation in 1895, when he became a Trustee of the New York Public Library.</p> <p>The bulk of this collection fall into the years 1893-1895. This is due to the fact that G. H. Moore was both Superintendent and Secretary from 1876-1892 and consequently most of his Secretarial records are among the Superintendent's. The collection has been arranged by incumbent.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/nypla/4856#c641618'>Series IV. Board of Trustees - Treasurer</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1870-1896</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>2.5 linear feet</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>James Lenox served as the first treasurer of the Lenox Library 1870-1876. He was succeeded by Aaron B. Belknap, who had been Secretary to the Board prior to his appointment as Treasurer. Belknap in turn was succeeded in 1880 by Alexander Maitland, who remained Treasurer until the NYPL consolidation in 1895. For the last few years (1893-1895) of his term as Treasurer he was also Secretary to the Board, and he become one of the NYPL Trustees.</p> <p>This series spans the years 1870-1896, with the bulk of the material falling into Maitland's term, 1880-1895. It consists of manuscript statements of accounts, financial ledgers, vouchers, receipts, cancelled checks, bank books and memoranda. The collection has been arranged by incumbent.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/nypla/4856#c641640'>Series V. Superintendant</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1866-1896</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>8 linear feet</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The Superintendent of the Lenox Library was responsible for the day to day operations of the Library. For the first two years of its independent existence the Lenox Library did not have a Superintendent. In 1872 James Lenox offered his friend George H. Moore (1823-1892) the position and a place on the Board of Trustees. In addition to being a librarian, Moore was known for his historical and bibliographic work on the American Colonial period.</p> <p>Moore's duties at the Lenox included examining and purchasing books, daily operations, staff administration, and overseeing maintenance of the Library building. For much of his term as Superintendent, Moore also served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees.</p> <p>Upon Moore's death his duties were divided among three people: Alexander Maitland, who became Secretary, assumed that office's general functions; I. Ferris Lockwood, who became Superintendent, assumed responsibility for the Library's physical plant and certain related operational expenses; and Wilberforce Eames, who became Librarian. After consolidation in 1895, Lockwood became the first Business Superintendent of NYPL.</p> <p>Series V has been arranged in two subseries: A. George H. Moore; B. I. Ferris Lockwood. Records include correspondence, handlists, memoranda, minutes, reports, statistics, attendance records, financial accounts, invoices and receipts and a check book. This material spans the years 1866-1895, with the bulk dating from Moore's term of 1872-1892. Moore's files include correspondence, financial papers, records on Lenox Library holdings and readers and a \"Daily Calendar\" containing reader use and cataloging statistics as well as personal and professional appointments, notes and memos. Moore's correspondence with James Lenox predates his position with the Lenox Library. Lenox was an old friend and Moore advised him regarding the purchase of Americana. Moore also corresponded with Henry Stevens, the antiquarian bookseller, and his brother, B. F. Stevens.</p> <p>I. Ferris Lockwood's records include correspondence, reports and financial records. Of particular interest is Lockwood's correspondence with Richard M. Hunt concerning alterations to the Lenox Library building.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/nypla/4856#c641686'>Series VI. Librarian</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1879-1915</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>21 linear feet</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>After James Lenox, the first Librarian of the Lenox Library was S. Austin Alibone, who held that position from 1879-1888. From 1888 until his death in 1892, Superintendent G. H. Moore was also the defacto librarian, overseeing both administration and acquisitions. Wilberforce Eames, originally hired as an assistant by Moore in 1885, was named assistant Librarian in 1892 and Librarian in 1893.</p> <p>Allibone's duties were largely bibliographical; he worked on four of the seven volumes of the of the <span class=\"title\">Contributions to a Catalogue of the Lenox Library</span>. Eames' responsibilities, however, were more varied and ranging -- assuming both Allibone's bibliographical research and Moore's administrative duties. Eames examined and selected new material, supervised the Lenox staff, and coordinated cataloging and reference services.</p> <p>In 1895, after the consolidation that formed the New York Public Library, Eames assumed responsibility for the administration of the Lenox building, reporting directly to NYPL Director John Shaw Billings. The title and position of Librarian of the Lenox Library persisted 16 years after the formation of the NYPL, up until the holdings of the Lenox Library were fully integrated with those from the Astor Library. This occurred in 1911, with the opening of the 42nd Street building; in that year Eames became first Chief of the American History Division, which housed the rare book, manuscripts, and map collections.</p> <p>The material in this series spans the years 1879 to 1915 with the bulk of it falling into the period of Eames' term as Librarian, 1893-1915. It consists of correspondence, letterbooks, monthly reports, manuscript and printed catalogues, address books, memos and scrapbooks. The bulk of this collection has been arranged by incumbent. Also included is a subgroup of General Library Records.</p> <p>Of Allibone's records (Subseries A) little has survived. Eames' records have been arranged into seven subseries: B. Correspondence, C. Letterbooks, D. Reports, E. Lenox Library Holdings, F. Lenox Library Staff and Building, G. Scrapbooks and H. Catalogs. Eames' correspondence, arranged chronologically, has been divided into internal and external correspondence, reflecting its original order. Correspondents include J.S. Billings, and J.S. Kennedy. Within the subseries Lenox Library Holdings is material relating to the purchase of the libraries of George Bancroft, Charles Kalbfleisch and the Stuart collection of paintings and art works. This subseries also contains a bibliography of Lenox holdings on Venezuela and British Guyana, 1500-1799; along with correspondence relating to their border dispute, ca. 1903-1905.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
- arrangement
-
{"value"=>"<p>The records are arranged in six series: I. Board of Trustees - General Administration; II. Board of Trustees - President; III. Board of Trustees - Secretary; IV. Board of Trustees - Treasurer; V. Superintendent; VI. Librarian.</p> <p>The arrangement of the records of the Lenox Library was made problematic by the fact that various administrative functions shifted from office to office over time. For example, reader's use statistics were first kept by the Superintendent's office under Moore, but then shifted to the Librarian's office under Eames. Financial records also shifted between the Superintendent, Treasurer and Librarian at different periods. Researchers should keep this in mind when using these records.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
- acqinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>NN, NN, OCoLC</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Compiled by Mark McMurray; machine-readable finding aid created by Jim Moske.</p>"}
- accessrestrict
-
{"value"=>"<p>Access to the collection is restricted to qualified scholars and researchers through the Office of Special Collections, Room 316.</p>"}
- userestrict
-
{"value"=>"<p>All rights reserved. Permission to quote must be obtained in writing from the New York Public Library</p>"}
- date_start
-
1866
- keydate
-
1866
- date_end
-
1915
- date_inclusive_start
-
1866
- date_inclusive_end
-
1915