Jefferson Market Library
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| Third Judicial District Courthouse | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | 425 Sixth Avenue (near W 10th St), Manhattan, New York City, New York |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1874-1877 |
| Architect: | Frederick Clarke Withers and Calvert Vaux |
| Architectural style(s): | Gothic, Other |
| Designated as NHL: | December 22, 1977[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | November 09, 1972[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 72000875 |
| Governing body: | Local |
The Jefferson Market Branch, New York Public Library is located at 425 6th Avenue (near W 10th St) in Greenwich Village, New York City on a triangular plot formed by Greenwich Avenue and West 10th Street. The building was originally built as the Third Judicial District Courthouse between the years 1874-1877 from a design by architects Frederick Clarke Withers and Calvert Vaux. Faced with demolition, public outcry led to its reuse as a branch of the New York Public Library.
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[edit] Architecture
A simple wood fire lookout tower was the first building on the site, built circa 1833, located in the center of the merchants sheds at the Jefferson Market.
The red brick structure which replaced the wood tower was built in a collection of styles inspired by the high pitched roofline of German castles such as Neuschwanstein and Venetian Gothic details, featuring stained glass windows and a four sided clock tower.
[edit] Use
The Jefferson Market Library building ceased to be used as a courthouse in 1945.[3] The building remained vacant and was slated for demolition, but local residents led by Margot Gayle[4] saved the richly decorated brick structure by persuading the city to reuse the building as a public library.
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, both under its name as "Third Judicial District Courthouse".[1],[5],[6]
There was an adjoining jail along 10th street. The old sheds of the Jefferson Market were replaced in 1883 by a dedicated building for the market, and in 1927 the market and jail were replaced by the New York Women's House of Detention. That building was demolished in 1974 and the lot is now home to a community garden called the Jefferson Market Greening.
In 1996 "Ol' Jeff", the fire bell, silent in the Tower for 135 years, regained its voice with Margot Gayle's help, thanks to Cynthia Crane and Marilyn Dorato. It strikes the hours from 9am to 9pm. On April 13, 1997, the New York Times wrote: "The bell has newly and unexpectedly connected the community surrounding the building on Avenue of the Americas at 10th Street, helping to put the concept of village back in Greenwich Village; it serves as a powerful, an hourly, reminder of the values of architectural preservation."
During the annual Halloween Parade, a large spider is seen moving up and down the tower.[7]
There are annual tours of the tower, typically on Open House New York day in October.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Third Judicial District Courthouse. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service (2007-09-19).
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ Huxtable, Ada Louise. "To Keep the Best of New York", The New York Times, September 10, 1961.
- ^ "AIA Guide to New York City", 4th edition, pg 130
- ^ ["Third Judicial District Courthouse (Jefferson Market Courthouse)", May 24, 1977, by Carolyn PittsPDF (625 KiB) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination]. National Park Service (1977-05-24).
- ^ [Third Judicial District Courthouse (Jefferson Market Courthouse)--Accompanying photos and drawing, exterior and interior, from c.1880 and undated.PDF (1.37 MiB) National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination]. National Park Service (1977-05-24).
- ^ Picture of spider in tower
[edit] External links
- Jefferson Market Library is at coordinates Coordinates:
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