New Yorkers look forward to the first day of Spring. Sometimes the weather cooperates, but even if it does not, it marks a period of beginnings, new growth and hope.
But this is not an ordinary year. Like all New Yorkers at this time, everyone at the Municipal Archives is doing their best to stay safe and healthy. Closing the public reading rooms was a regrettable, but necessary, step to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. During this hiatus, many Municipal Archives staff are ‘teleworking’ and using this time to improve intellectual control over our vast collections. They are transcribing inventories, editing descriptive information, and writing finding guides. This important work will greatly add to the usefulness of ArchivesSpace, the on-line tool we will be launching in 2020 to provide on-line information about dozens of important collections.
In the meantime, we can take this opportunity to remind our patrons and friends that there is already a great deal of content readily accessible on our website. In the online gallery there are now more than 1.5 million photographs, moving images, maps, architectural plans, and ledgers to view (and order if one catches your fancy). Patrons are also invited to visit Archives.NYC to read through our blogs, catch up on our prior exhibits and review the shared histories developed jointly by the Amsterdam Archives and the Municipal Archives.
The Central Park Lake, ca. 1936. WPA FWP Collection. NYC Municipal Archives
Here are more evocative images taken by City and WPA photographers early in the spring season, many decades ago.
On an early spring day in 1938 WPA photographer, E. M. Bofinger traveled around the City documenting parks, people and iconic venues. Fort Tryon Park was one stop on his journey. The Cloisters are in the background. E. M. Bofinger, April 17, 1938. WPA FWP Collection. NYC Municipal Archives
A view of the Hudson River from Fort Tryon Park, with the George Washington Bridge in the background. E. M. Bofinger, April 17, 1938. WPA FWP Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.
Drinking Fountain, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, April 17, 1938, E. M. Bofinger. WPA-FWP Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.
Bowling Green Park, from the steps of the Customs House, Lower Broadway, Manhattan. E. M. Bofinger, April 17, 1938. WPA FWP Collection. NYC Municipal Archives
Times Square, April 17, 1938. E. M. Bofinger, WPA FWP Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.
As we said, spring weather is unpredictable. On March 19, 1940, the temperatures jumped up to summer-time levels and everyone headed to the beach. Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park, Department of Parks Collection. NYC Municipal Archives.