New York Amsterdam News Building
Description and history
The New York Amsterdam News was founded in 1909 by James H. Anderson at his home on West 165 Street. That year marked a shift in the African-American community away from the accommodationist policies of Booker T. Washington, and toward the a more activist attitude, exemplified in part by the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The News grew rapidly, and in 1916 moved into this building. Initially founded to serve the local Harlem community, it greatly expanded its reach, speaking out on national issues, and eventually reaching a nationwide audience. Because of this growth, it again outgrew these quarters, and moved to its present facilities in 1938.
The New York Amsterdam News Building is one of a series of four rowhouses located on the east side of Seventh Avenue (Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard), roughly midway between West 134th and West 135th Streets. It is four stories in height, built out of brownstone with Greek Revival styling, with a projecting cast iron cornice supported by modillions. The lower two levels house commercial spaces, with a staircase on the right side leading to the main building entrance. Windows and doors are set in openings framed by projecting bracketed surrounds with pilasters on the sides.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in New York City
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan above 110th Street
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "New York Amsterdam News Building". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2007-09-15. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05.
- ^ Graves, Lynne Gomez (October 30, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: New York Amsterdam News Building" (pdf). National Park Service.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: New York Amsterdam News Building—Accompanying photos" (pdf). National Park Service. 1975.