“Neighborhood Guild Library, 26 Delancey Street, in two windows to left of fire escape, 3rd floor.”

In 1893, The University Settlement, a social services aid society then known as the Neighborhood Guild, moved from its original location on Forsyth Street to a larger building at 26 Delancey Street.

The building itself had four floors which housed a gymnasium, a library and reading rooms, a room for the cooking school, a pool and billiards room, and various club rooms, as well as residential spaces. In 1898, the Settlement moved again, to its present location on Eldridge Street.

In 1929, the City acquired land between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets, including 26 Delancey, with the intention of building low-cost housing. Instead, the land became part of the seven-block Sara D. Roosevelt Park, opened in 1934.