Historic photographs of buildings can be very valuable resources. They help inform historically accurate building restorations and modifications, they show the building’s and neighborhood’s changes over time, and they are a window into our City’s past. When proposing changes to a landmarked building, especially changes that will alter the appearance of the landmark, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will require historic photos as part of the application.
The earliest photograph of New York City may be a daguerreotype taken by NYU professors in 1839. The technology and availability of the new medium progressed quickly through the latter half of the 19th century, and today we have an increasing number of digitized historic photos of our City. Venerable institutions like the New York Public Library, the Museum of the City of New York, The New York Historical, and Columbia University have vast digital collections.
Our staff also likes to use the following resources when we are researching historic buildings.
OldNYC:
You can peruse geo-located photos from the NYPL digital collection on this map, rather than searching the library’s website. It can be very helpful when researching a neighborhood, rather than just one building.
1940s NYC:
The City’s Department of Finance photographed every building in the City in 1939-1941 and again in the 1980s. Like the OldNYC map, the “tax photos” are helpfully linked to their locations on this site.
Municipal Archives:
While the City’s Municipal Archives also includes the Tax Photos, it has some other searchable collections worth checking out, including the construction of the subway systems.
Village Preservation:
Focusing on Greenwich Village, Village Preservation has made collections from several photographers available on its website.
Landmarks Preservation Commission Designation Photos:
The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission documents every building when it is designated as a landmark.
Center for Brooklyn History:
This collection contains photos from throughout the City, not just Brooklyn.
Library of Congress:
This online portal provides access to photographs, maps, and other primary sources from the library’s vast holdings.
Questions? Call our Preservation Hotline at 212-995-5260, Ext. 305 or email GwendolynStegall@nylandmarks.org.