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Near Roosevelt Island Promenade
Posts & Stories
(3)
WPA Hospital Murals: Roosevelt Island
Story
The Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project (WPA/FAP), part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the Great Depression, employed thousands of artists between 1935 and 1943 to create artworks for public spaces. This groundbreaking democratic experiment celebrated and supported American art and artists by providing a source of income, enhancing public buildings, and enriching the lives of Americans in the throes of the Great Depression. The Art Commission reviewed hundreds of Federal Art Project commissions during this period, including murals, sculpture and mosaics. A significant portion of the WPA/FAP commissions in our collection were installed in public health and hospital facilities. There is a noticeable shift in theme and tone depending on the location of murals. Murals in children’s wards often focused on nursery rhymes and fanciful themes, while those in nurses’ recreation rooms were “relaxing” and focused on familial scenes. Murals in doctors’ recreation rooms focused on the history and progress of medicine, while those in psychiatric wards sought to provide therapy for mental distress.
Schermerhorn Farmhouse
Post
Schermerhorn Farmhouse ca. 1913 The Schermerhorn Farmhouse, built in 1747, was located on a peak overlooking the East River on the southern edge of the Schermerhorn Farm, which spanned from the East River to Third Avenue between 63rd and 68th Streets. The farmhouse was likely built by the Hardenbrook family, who owned the southern portion of the farm before it was purchased by Peter Schermerhorn. Tradition holds that the farm was once the country home of Governor George Clinton, who served as a member of Continental Congress, Governor of New York State, and Vice President of the United States for two terms under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Schermerhorn estate was purchased by John D. Rockefeller in 1903 as the site for the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research. The farmhouse was demolished in 1914 and the site is now home to the Rockefeller University campus.
Rockefeller University
Post
Rockefeller University (formerly Institute), ca. 1980.
Photos
(28)
Roosevelt Island Promenade
\[Promenade on Roosevelt Island with a view of the Weill Cornell Medical Center.]
Good Shepherd Chapel
\[Good Shepherd Community Ecumenical Center, 543 Main Street.] Originally Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
Central Nurses Building
Mural by Ruth Gikow for the east lounge, Central Nurses Residence, Welfare Island. These designs were rejected by the Art Commission on September 10, 1940.
Central Nurses Building
Mural by Ruth Gikow for the east lounge, Central Nurses Residence, Welfare Island. These designs were rejected by the Art Commission on September 10, 1940.
63rd Street Tunnel
Existing Street and Sidewalk Conditions at 63rd Street and York Avenue: 63rd Street Line (IND) One in a series of survey photographs documenting existing street and sidewalk conditions along 63rd street between 2nd Avenue and the FDR Drive (East River Drive) for future construction of the 63rd Street Tunnel. Photograph shows street, sidewalk, automobiles, buildings, and boring rigs in the background by the FDR Drive. Label affixed to front reads: 63rd Street and York Avenue, looking East.
63rd Street Tunnel
Existing Conditions at 63rd Street and FDR Drive Also Showing Excavation: 63rd Street Line (IND) One in a series of survey photographs documenting existing street and sidewalk conditions along 63rd street between 2nd Avenue and the FDR Drive (East River Drive) for future construction of the 63rd Street Tunnel. Photograph shows FDR Drive, hoisting and excavation machinery at East River for excavation work for tunnel shafts. Label affixed to front reads: 63rd Street and FDR Drive, looking East.
Rockefeller University
\[Rockefeller University, 1270 York Avenue.] Originally Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Rockefeller University
\[Rockefeller University campus.]
Rockefeller University
\[Rockefeller University, 1270 York Avenue.] Originally Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Roosevelt Island Tramway and Queensboro Bridge.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Roosevelt Island Tramway
\[Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island Tramway.]
Schermerhorn Farmhouse
Schermerhorn Farmhouse The Schermerhorn Farmhouse, built in 1747, was located on a peak overlooking the East River on the southern edge of the Schermerhorn Farm, which spanned from the East River to Third Avenue between 63rd and 68th Streets. The farmhouse was likely built by the Hardenbrook family, who owned the southern portion of the farm before it was purchased by Peter Schermerhorn. Tradition holds that the farm was once the country home of Governor George Clinton, who served as a member of Continental Congress, Governor of New York State, and Vice President of the United States for two terms under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Schermerhorn estate was purchased by John D. Rockefeller in 1903 as the site for the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research. The farmhouse was demolished in 1914 and the site is now home to the Rockefeller University campus.
Schermerhorn Farmhouse
Schermerhorn Farmhouse The Schermerhorn Farmhouse, built in 1747, was located on a peak overlooking the East River on the southern edge of the Schermerhorn Farm, which spanned from the East River to Third Avenue between 63rd and 68th Streets. The farmhouse was likely built by the Hardenbrook family, who owned the southern portion of the farm before it was purchased by Peter Schermerhorn. Tradition holds that the farm was once the country home of Governor George Clinton, who served as a member of Continental Congress, Governor of New York State, and Vice President of the United States for two terms under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Schermerhorn estate was purchased by John D. Rockefeller in 1903 as the site for the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research. The farmhouse was demolished in 1914 and the site is now home to the Rockefeller University campus.
Schermerhorn Farmhouse
Schermerhorn Farmhouse The Schermerhorn Farmhouse, built in 1747, was located on a peak overlooking the East River on the southern edge of the Schermerhorn Farm, which spanned from the East River to Third Avenue between 63rd and 68th Streets. The farmhouse was likely built by the Hardenbrook family, who owned the southern portion of the farm before it was purchased by Peter Schermerhorn. Tradition holds that the farm was once the country home of Governor George Clinton, who served as a member of Continental Congress, Governor of New York State, and Vice President of the United States for two terms under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Schermerhorn estate was purchased by John D. Rockefeller in 1903 as the site for the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research. The farmhouse was demolished in 1914 and the site is now home to the Rockefeller University campus.
Hospital for Special Surgery
70th Street and East River. Hospital for Special Surgery, model from S.W. looking east.
Hospital for Special Surgery
535 East 70th Street. Hospital for Special Surgery, main entrance.
Hospital for Special Surgery
535 East 70th Street. Hospital for Special Surgery, close up of main doors.
Hospital for Special Surgery
70th Street and East River. Hospital for Special Surgery, model from west looking due east.
Hospital for Special Surgery
70th Street and East River. Hospital for Special Surgery, model from east showing west.
Hospital for Special Surgery
70th Street and East River. Hospital for Special Surgery, model from south looking north.
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