Secrets of the New York Public Library | NYC History

🦁The lions in front of the NYPL The New York Public Library could have been water buffalos instead if President Theodore Roosevelt got his way!
There are secrets lurking all around this beaux-arts library opened in 1911. From the story of America's first supermodel to millions of books buried underneath Bryant Park.
---
For access to bonus HD 360 videos: becomesuppor…/UrbanistLive/
Book a tour: urbanist.live/tours
Replays of Facebook Lives: UrbanistLive/videos
Get alerted when we’re LIVE: 1857420641152338/posts/2222263474668051/

[@Manuelita6]

I’ve lived in NYC all my life (born and raised in Queens) and I had no idea about any of this. Absolutely fascinating. Thank you.

[@alittlebitgone]

Teddy didn't want water buffalo statues, that would make no sense as water buffalo are native to South East Asia, he wanted American buffalo (bison). Also, there aren't 43 million books, there are 45.2 million research items, of which about 2.5 million are books, most of which are not actually stored in the library, there are in underground warehouses near the library and are recalled by request as needed.

[@dtraveler3080]

Wondering could you provide any additional info on who may access or a link where to find these research items?

[@RickyAlDente]

Great videos, very informative and interesting. I live in CT but your content provides awesome things to look forward to when I head into the city!

[@UrbanistExploringCities]

thanks so much Dawson! Yea I cover so many places of NYC, I also have LIVE videos at facebook.com/UrbanistLive if you want to check those out too

[@claudial.gonzalez4268]

Lions named after Leo Astor and Leo Lenox two of the library’s founders in 1895 . Their names were John Jacob Astor and James Lenox. It’s the largest marble building in the world. A Classical design that took 16 years to complete, opened its doors in 1911. In 1930 Mayor LaGuardia as a reflection on Depression era virtues, the two marble lions were named Fortitude and Patience!

[@Gleyi07]

I wish this video was longer!!!!!! Amazinggg job!!! 🤩♥️♥️♥️

[@maithaaldaisi4271]

thank you for this tour it was very helpful and informative in a fun way, and loved that it was short and sweet

[@UrbanistExploringCities]

i'm so happy yo enjoy this quick video history :)

[@cristianvera8506]

The force is strong with this one ☝️

[@angieknight5834]

The True History and Background of NYPL Main Building and New York’s Palatial Buildings: The New York Public Library was created by former President of the United States Marie Kimberley Ann Knight in 1976 of Italian marble. She notably rebuilt the building in 1997 following a collapse in the northern frontice. The figurines atop the building and ensconced in intaglios are of virtuous portraits of mythical and biblical figures, from many cultures of the world. Knight, a Nobel prize winning inventor of medical implements, is also an Oscar winning composer and scorist of popular music, from Motown to Pop, Vocal, R &B, Gospel and classical songs, including “The Love Theme from The Bridges of Madison County, and The Theme from Titanic, My Heart Will Go On, and hits “ Your love keeps liftin’ me higher” and Ain’t To Proud to Beg” now playing in the popular Broadway musical about the Temptations. Knight is also the Grammy winning composer (co-author) of “You’re All I need to get by” written for Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, now playing in the popular Walmart commercial as performed by Aretha Franklin. The White Stone Bridge was erected in the city to underscore the composition of Knight’s many buildings in New York and as the Architect of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The buildings were made of White Stone and Marble because the substance looks most beautiful over time. The New York palatial structures, including Grand Central Station, The Cardinal de Richelieu Post Office and City Hall were designed by Knight and established in agreement with then Mayor Edward I. Koch, as part of the ‘I Love New York’ campaign. -Staff, Knight Olympic News Service Marie Kimberley Ann Knight designed and built Grand Central Station in 1980 with its similitude in Paris, La Musee d’Orsay. Knight is a wealthy composer who bought the City Center stop on the IRT line from the City of New York and established the stunning ode to Classicism in modern transportation, befitting it with elegant polished gold and brass elements such as the Central Clock. Knight is the former President of the United States and Architect of the Capitol. A noted transportation designer, Knight also created the Union Stations in Washington, D.C., Dallas Forth Worth, Chicago and Los Angeles. The story about J. Kennedy is absolutely untrue. The building did not exist before Knight’s agreement in 1980 with Mayor Edward Koch and the creation of the I Love New York campaign, featuring Knight’s composition of the orchestra version of I Love New York for the Salsoul Orchestra. People are fond of making up folklore about the buildings, richly designed by this Oscar- and Grammy winning composer, with beautiful works of art and architecture throughout world. Knight created the Museums of the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Louvre also in 1980.

[@baddestjoanna-michellesmit5578]

Dope info

[@richelletaylor8060]

Astor, Tilden & Lenox!

[@michellemarie1197]

Its absolutely gorgeous

[@sergiorojas7863]

Love 💕 your videos

[@spelcheak]

Ah yes, the famous water buffalo of the USA.

[@thekongstocks]

AWESOME vid + INCREDIBLE host = 👍🏼👍🏼

[@richelletaylor8060]

Bryant Park- my first love kiss.

[@lauriew110]

hey ariel :) i have been taking a look at some of your videos like this and others to look at more history of the area. finding very fun and interesting! thanks for your travels and posting and look forward to more in new york and abroad :) would you know anything about the american society of composers and publishers in new york in early 1900's? i have been researching some of my family history on my great aunt and her husband who was a co-founder of the organization and my grandfather who was involved with music as well. thanks so much!

[@UrbanistExploringCities]

I'm so happy you're checking out my older videos, Laurie! As for the American Society of Composers, I don't know too much about. But I did do a video of Tin-Pan Alley, which may be related? facebook.com/UrbanistLive/videos/431728847376068 Otherwise, I will look into it!

[@lauriew110]

@@UrbanistExploringCities hi ariel :) thanks very much! i will go take a look at that video and will let you know if i have any questions for you...

[@evelinakundrate2020]

Wake Ash up pls

[@hey_rae2080]

Sa-yo-na-ra

[@Insight200801]

And the other fountain on the opposite side of the entryway. Anything?

[@fishfire_2999]

Where are pics of top floor ?

[@kholidday3570]

the video image is too poor, you need to fix it more

[@David49305]

couldn't get past "li-berries"

[@richelletaylor8060]

Audrie Munson! Lives! Sneak out to the bar! She’s not crazy!

[@blackmomba7122]

Chicago museum Lions more iconic. New York, CITY OF RATS