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{{Short description|Building in Manhattan, New York}} |
{{Short description|Building in Manhattan, New York}} |
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The '''Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House''' (originally the '''New York Custom House''') is a former [[custom house]], a government building, and a museum at 1 [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]], near the southern end of [[Manhattan]] in |
The '''Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House''' (originally the '''New York Custom House''') is a former [[custom house]], a government building, and a museum at 1 [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]], near the southern end of [[Manhattan]] in New York City, United States. Designed by [[Cass Gilbert]] in the [[Beaux-Arts style]], it was erected from 1902 to 1907 by the U.S. government as a headquarters for the [[Port of New York and New Jersey|Port of New York]]'s [[Customs duty|duty]] collection operations. The building contains the [[George Gustav Heye Center]] museum, the [[United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York]], and the New York regional offices of the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]]. The facade and part of the interior are [[New York City designated landmark]]s, and the building is a [[National Historic Landmark]] listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] (NRHP). It is also a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]], listed on the NRHP. |
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The Custom House is a seven-story steel-framed structure with a stone facade and elaborate interiors. The exterior is decorated with nautical motifs as well as sculptures by twelve artists. The second through fourth stories contain [[colonnade]]s with [[Corinthian |
The Custom House is a seven-story steel-framed structure with a stone facade and elaborate interiors. The exterior is decorated with nautical motifs as well as sculptures by twelve artists. The second through fourth stories contain [[colonnade]]s with [[Corinthian column]]s. The main entrance consists of a grand staircase flanked by ''[[Four Continents (French)|Four Continents]]'', a set of four statues by [[Daniel Chester French]]. The second-story entrance vestibule leads to a transverse lobby, a [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]], and offices. The rotunda includes a [[skylight]] and ceiling murals by [[Reginald Marsh (artist)|Reginald Marsh]]. The George Gustav Heye Center, a branch of the [[National Museum of the American Indian]], operates within the ground and second stories, while the upper stories contain offices for the U.S. government. |
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The building was proposed in 1889 as a replacement for the previous [[United States Custom House (New York City)|New York Custom House]] at [[55 Wall Street]]. Due to various disagreements, the Bowling Green Custom House was not approved until 1899; Gilbert was selected as architect following a competition. The building opened in 1907, and the murals in the rotunda were added in 1938 during a [[Works Progress Administration]] project. The [[United States Customs Service]] moved out of the building in 1974, and it remained vacant for over a decade until renovations in the late 1980s. The Custom House was renamed in 1990 to commemorate [[Alexander Hamilton]], one of the [[Founding Fathers]] of the United States and its first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]. The Heye Center opened in 1994. |
The building was proposed in 1889 as a replacement for the previous [[United States Custom House (New York City)|New York Custom House]] at [[55 Wall Street]]. Due to various disagreements, the Bowling Green Custom House was not approved until 1899; Gilbert was selected as architect following a competition. The building opened in 1907, and the murals in the rotunda were added in 1938 during a [[Works Progress Administration]] project. The [[United States Customs Service]] moved out of the building in 1974, and it remained vacant for over a decade until renovations in the late 1980s. The Custom House was renamed in 1990 to commemorate [[Alexander Hamilton]], one of the [[Founding Fathers]] of the United States and its first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]]. The Heye Center opened in 1994. |
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The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House occupies a [[trapezoidal]] plot bounded by [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]] to the north, [[Whitehall Street]] to the east, [[Bridge Street (Manhattan)|Bridge Street]] to the south, and [[State Street (Manhattan)|State Street]] to the west.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://maps.nyc.gov/ |title=NYCityMap |website=NYC.gov |publisher=[[New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications]] |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150524114059/http://maps.nyc.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Stern (1983) p. 74">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|ps=.|p=74}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 257">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=257}}</ref> The Whitehall Street and State Street [[Elevation (architecture)|elevations]] are {{Convert|300|ft|-1||abbr=}} wide; the main elevation on Bowling Green is {{Convert|200|ft|-1||abbr=}} wide; and the rear elevation on Bridge Street is {{Convert|290|ft||abbr=}} wide.<ref name="rer19060310">{{cite magazine |date=March 10, 1906 |title=The New Custom House |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_037_10.pdf |journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide |volume=77 |page=414 |via=[[Columbia University]] |number=1982 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=2022-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811155007/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_037_10.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Nearby buildings include the [[International Mercantile Marine Company Building]] and the [[Bowling Green Offices Building]] to the northwest, [[26 Broadway]] to the northeast, [[2 Broadway]] to the east, and One Battery Park Plaza to the south.<ref name=":0" /> |
The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House occupies a [[trapezoidal]] plot bounded by [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]] to the north, [[Whitehall Street]] to the east, [[Bridge Street (Manhattan)|Bridge Street]] to the south, and [[State Street (Manhattan)|State Street]] to the west.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://maps.nyc.gov/ |title=NYCityMap |website=NYC.gov |publisher=[[New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications]] |access-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150524114059/http://maps.nyc.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Stern (1983) p. 74">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|ps=.|p=74}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 257">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=257}}</ref> The Whitehall Street and State Street [[Elevation (architecture)|elevations]] are {{Convert|300|ft|-1||abbr=}} wide; the main elevation on Bowling Green is {{Convert|200|ft|-1||abbr=}} wide; and the rear elevation on Bridge Street is {{Convert|290|ft||abbr=}} wide.<ref name="rer19060310">{{cite magazine |date=March 10, 1906 |title=The New Custom House |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_037_10.pdf |journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide |volume=77 |page=414 |via=[[Columbia University]] |number=1982 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=2022-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811155007/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_037_10.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Nearby buildings include the [[International Mercantile Marine Company Building]] and the [[Bowling Green Offices Building]] to the northwest, [[26 Broadway]] to the northeast, [[2 Broadway]] to the east, and One Battery Park Plaza to the south.<ref name=":0" /> |
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There are entrances to two [[New York City Subway]] stations immediately outside the Custom House. An entrance to the [[Whitehall Street station]] is adjacent to the eastern side of the building, while an entrance to the [[Bowling Green station]] is to the north.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/document/2461 |title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Bowling Green (4)(5) | |
There are entrances to two [[New York City Subway]] stations immediately outside the Custom House. An entrance to the [[Whitehall Street station]] is adjacent to the eastern side of the building, while an entrance to the [[Bowling Green station]] is to the north.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/document/2461 |title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Bowling Green (4)(5) |year=2018 |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129194947/https://new.mta.info/document/2461 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The building occupies the site of [[Fort Amsterdam]], constructed by the [[Dutch West India Company]] to defend their operations in the [[Hudson Valley]]. The Dutch colony of [[New Amsterdam]], the precursor to modern-day New York City, was developed around the fort. Bowling Green, immediately to the north, is the oldest park in New York City.<ref name="aia5" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 1899 |title=To Occupy a Historic Site; Memories Recalled by the Location of the New Custom House |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/07/archives/to-occupy-a-historic-site-memories-recalled-by-the-location-of-the.html |access-date=April 15, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115013849/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/07/archives/to-occupy-a-historic-site-memories-recalled-by-the-location-of-the.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Government House (New York City)|Government House]] occupied the site in the late 18th century before its demolition in 1815.<ref>{{harvnb|Stokes|1915–1928|ps=.|loc=[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5800727_005/pages/ldpd_5800727_005_00000675.html v. 5, p. 1583]}}</ref> The houses of several wealthy New Yorkers were subsequently developed at that location.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 1, 1900 |title=Memories of Bowling Green |page=28 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/48834199/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref> |
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== Architecture == |
== Architecture == |
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[[File:George Gustav Heye Center Roof 2.JPG|thumb|Roof detail|alt=View of the upper facade of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, with architectural sculptures, from an adjacent building, in Manhattan.]] |
[[File:George Gustav Heye Center Roof 2.JPG|thumb|Roof detail|alt=View of the upper facade of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, with architectural sculptures, from an adjacent building, in Manhattan.]] |
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The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is seven stories high with a stone facade and an interior steel frame. It was designed by [[Cass Gilbert]] in the [[ |
The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is seven stories high with a stone facade and an interior steel frame. It was designed by [[Cass Gilbert]] in the [[Beaux-Arts style]].<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="GSA 2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.gsa.gov/historic-buildings/alexander-hamilton-us-custom-house-new-york-ny |title=Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York, NY |date=February 28, 2019 |publisher=[[General Services Administration]] |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612005244/https://www.gsa.gov/historic-buildings/alexander-hamilton-us-custom-house-new-york-ny |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds pp. 256-257">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=256–257}}</ref> The design is similar to those of previous custom houses in New York City, namely [[Ithiel Town]]'s [[Federal Hall]] at 26 Wall Street and [[Isaiah Rogers]]'s Merchants' Exchange building at [[55 Wall Street]].<ref name="NYCL p. 1">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=1}}</ref> |
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The building's design incorporates Beaux-Arts and [[City Beautiful movement|City Beautiful]] planning principles, combining architecture, engineering, and fine arts.<ref name="aia5" /> Gilbert had written in 1900 about his plans for a wide-ranging, [[Site-specific art|site-specific]] decorative program, which would "illustrate the commerce of ancient and modern times, both by land and sea".<ref name="Inland Architect p. 6">{{harvnb|Inland Architect|1900|ps=.|p=6}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> Sculptures, paintings, and decorations by well-known artists of the time, such as [[Daniel Chester French]], [[Karl Bitter]], [[Louis Saint-Gaudens]], and [[Albert Jaegers]], embellish various portions of the interior and exterior.<ref name="aia5">{{Cite aia5|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t0gj61QSgk8C&pg=PA13 13]}}</ref><ref name="nyt19031108">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/08/archives/would-curb-tom-l-johnson-the-new-custom-house-sculptures-to-be.html |title=The New Custom House. Sculptures to be Placed on the Bowling Green Front by Twelve Chosen Sculptors |date=November 8, 1903 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501014928/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/08/archives/would-curb-tom-l-johnson-the-new-custom-house-sculptures-to-be.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
The building's design incorporates Beaux-Arts and [[City Beautiful movement|City Beautiful]] planning principles, combining architecture, engineering, and fine arts.<ref name="aia5" /> Gilbert had written in 1900 about his plans for a wide-ranging, [[Site-specific art|site-specific]] decorative program, which would "illustrate the commerce of ancient and modern times, both by land and sea".<ref name="Inland Architect p. 6">{{harvnb|Inland Architect|1900|ps=.|p=6}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> Sculptures, paintings, and decorations by well-known artists of the time, such as [[Daniel Chester French]], [[Karl Bitter]], [[Louis Saint-Gaudens]], and [[Albert Jaegers]], embellish various portions of the interior and exterior.<ref name="aia5">{{Cite aia5|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=t0gj61QSgk8C&pg=PA13 13]}}</ref><ref name="nyt19031108">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/08/archives/would-curb-tom-l-johnson-the-new-custom-house-sculptures-to-be.html |title=The New Custom House. Sculptures to be Placed on the Bowling Green Front by Twelve Chosen Sculptors |date=November 8, 1903 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501014928/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/08/archives/would-curb-tom-l-johnson-the-new-custom-house-sculptures-to-be.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Twelve sculptors were hired to create the figural groups on the exterior.<ref name="nyt19031108" /> The major work flanking the front steps, the ''[[Four Continents (French)|Four Continents]]'', was contracted to Daniel Chester French, who designed the sculptures with associate [[Adolph Alexander Weinman|Adolph A. Weinman]].<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="Stern (1983) pp. 74-75" /><ref>{{Harvnb|ps=.|Harris|2002|page=269 }}</ref> The work was made of marble<ref name="nyt19050430">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/04/30/archives/for-four-marble-groups-symbols-of-continents-for-the-custom-house.html |title=For Four Marble Groups; Symbols of Continents for the Custom House by D.C. French Shown |date=April 30, 1905 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and sculpted by the [[Piccirilli brothers]];<ref name="NYCL p. 4">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48841243/ |title=Custom House Statues |date=November 13, 1905 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |page=9 |via= |
Twelve sculptors were hired to create the figural groups on the exterior.<ref name="nyt19031108" /> The major work flanking the front steps, the ''[[Four Continents (French)|Four Continents]]'', was contracted to Daniel Chester French, who designed the sculptures with associate [[Adolph Alexander Weinman|Adolph A. Weinman]].<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="Stern (1983) pp. 74-75" /><ref>{{Harvnb|ps=.|Harris|2002|page=269 }}</ref> The work was made of marble<ref name="nyt19050430">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/04/30/archives/for-four-marble-groups-symbols-of-continents-for-the-custom-house.html |title=For Four Marble Groups; Symbols of Continents for the Custom House by D.C. French Shown |date=April 30, 1905 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and sculpted by the [[Piccirilli brothers]];<ref name="NYCL p. 4">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48841243/ |title=Custom House Statues |date=November 13, 1905 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Christopher |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/17/realestate/streetscapes-the-piccirillis-six-brothers-who-left-their-mark-as-sculptors.html |title=Streetscapes/The Piccirillis; Six Brothers Who Left Their Mark as Sculptors |date=October 17, 1999 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108005955/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/17/realestate/streetscapes-the-piccirillis-six-brothers-who-left-their-mark-as-sculptors.html |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> each sculptural group cost $13,500 ({{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=13500|start_year=1907|fmt=eq}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> From east to west, the statues depict larger-than-life-size [[personification]]s of Asia, America, Europe, and Africa.<ref name="aia5" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 262" /><ref name="nyt19050430" /> The primary figure of each group is a woman and is flanked by smaller human figures. In addition, Asia's figure is paired with a tiger and Africa's figure is paired with a lion.<ref name="nyt19050430" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 262-263">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=262–263}}</ref> |
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[[File:NY US Custom House Sculptures from the Cornice (3).JPG|thumb|Sculptures of seafaring nations|alt=Stone sculptures of seafaring nations on the U.S. Custom House cornice]] |
[[File:NY US Custom House Sculptures from the Cornice (3).JPG|thumb|Sculptures of seafaring nations|alt=Stone sculptures of seafaring nations on the U.S. Custom House cornice]] |
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The capitals of each of the 44 columns are decorated with carved heads depicting [[Hermes]], the Greek god of commerce.<ref name="AB p. 51" /><ref name="nyt19060114" /><ref name="Stern (1983) p. 75">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|ps=.|p=75}}</ref> The windows on the main facade are topped by eight keystones, which contain carved heads with depictions of eight human races.<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 262" /> One source described the keystones as representing "Caucasian, Hindu, Latin, Celt and Mongol, Italian, African, Eskimo, and even the [[Coureur des bois|Coureur de Bois]]".<ref name="AB p. 51" /> |
The capitals of each of the 44 columns are decorated with carved heads depicting [[Hermes]], the Greek god of commerce.<ref name="AB p. 51" /><ref name="nyt19060114" /><ref name="Stern (1983) p. 75">{{harvnb|Stern|Gilmartin|Massengale|1983|ps=.|p=75}}</ref> The windows on the main facade are topped by eight keystones, which contain carved heads with depictions of eight human races.<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 262" /> One source described the keystones as representing "Caucasian, Hindu, Latin, Celt and Mongol, Italian, African, Eskimo, and even the [[Coureur des bois|Coureur de Bois]]".<ref name="AB p. 51" /> |
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Above the main cornice are a group of standing sculptures that personify seafaring nations. There are twelve such statues, which depict commercial hubs through both ancient and modern history.<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="nyt19031108" /> Each sculpture is {{Convert|11|ft||abbr=}} tall and weighs {{Convert|20|ST|t|abbr=off|adj=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="nyt19060114" /> These sculptures are arranged in chronological sequence from east to west, or from left to right as seen from directly in front of the building. The easternmost sculptures are of ancient Greece and Rome, while the westernmost sculptures are of the more recent French and British empires.<ref name="nyt19031108" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 263-264">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=263–264}}</ref> Eight sculptors were commissioned for this work.<ref name="nyt19031108" /><ref>{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|pp=4–5}}</ref> One of these sculptures, ''Germania'' by Albert Jaegers, was modified in 1918 to display Belgian insignia rather than German insignia.<ref name="nyt19180913">{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1918 |title=To Change Teuton Statue; Germania on the Custom House Will Become Belgium. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/09/13/archives/to-change-teuton-statue-germania-on-the-custom-house-will-become.html |access-date=April 18, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="nyh19180913">{{cite news|date=September 13, 1918 |title=German Statue Will Be Belgian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49002184/ |access-date=April 18, 2020 |work=New York Herald |page=14 |via= |
Above the main cornice are a group of standing sculptures that personify seafaring nations. There are twelve such statues, which depict commercial hubs through both ancient and modern history.<ref name="NYCL-0020" /><ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="nyt19031108" /> Each sculpture is {{Convert|11|ft||abbr=}} tall and weighs {{Convert|20|ST|t|abbr=off|adj=off|sp=us}}.<ref name="nyt19060114" /> These sculptures are arranged in chronological sequence from east to west, or from left to right as seen from directly in front of the building. The easternmost sculptures are of ancient Greece and Rome, while the westernmost sculptures are of the more recent French and British empires.<ref name="nyt19031108" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 263-264">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=263–264}}</ref> Eight sculptors were commissioned for this work.<ref name="nyt19031108" /><ref>{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|pp=4–5}}</ref> One of these sculptures, ''Germania'' by Albert Jaegers, was modified in 1918 to display Belgian insignia rather than German insignia.<ref name="nyt19180913">{{Cite news |date=September 13, 1918 |title=To Change Teuton Statue; Germania on the Custom House Will Become Belgium. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/09/13/archives/to-change-teuton-statue-germania-on-the-custom-house-will-become.html |access-date=April 18, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="nyh19180913">{{cite news|date=September 13, 1918 |title=German Statue Will Be Belgian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49002184/ |access-date=April 18, 2020 |work=New York Herald |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501014930/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49002184/german-statue-will-be-belgian/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bitter created a cartouche of the [[Great Seal of the United States|United States' coat of arms]] for the roof.<ref name="AB p. 51" /><ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 264" /> |
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=== Interior === |
=== Interior === |
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The second-floor ceiling is generally {{Convert|23|ft||abbr=}} tall.<ref name="AB pp. 51-52">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|pp=51–52}}</ref> This floor consists of the former office spaces in the front and rear, the transverse lobby, and the rotunda.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> Gilbert planned the Custom House's interior so "all entrances, corridors, stairways and passages [were] arranged on the most direct and simple axial lines".<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="Inland Architect p. 7">{{harvnb|Inland Architect|1900|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> The second-floor space, including the former offices, is almost entirely occupied by the Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian.<ref name="Floor Plan">{{Cite web |url=https://americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/visit/NMAI-NY-guide-180525.pdf |title=Floor Plan and Guide |date=April 2018 |publisher= |
The second-floor ceiling is generally {{Convert|23|ft||abbr=}} tall.<ref name="AB pp. 51-52">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|pp=51–52}}</ref> This floor consists of the former office spaces in the front and rear, the transverse lobby, and the rotunda.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> Gilbert planned the Custom House's interior so "all entrances, corridors, stairways and passages [were] arranged on the most direct and simple axial lines".<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="Inland Architect p. 7">{{harvnb|Inland Architect|1900|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> The second-floor space, including the former offices, is almost entirely occupied by the Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian.<ref name="Floor Plan">{{Cite web |url=https://americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/visit/NMAI-NY-guide-180525.pdf |title=Floor Plan and Guide |date=April 2018 |publisher=[[George Gustav Heye Center]] |page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110031646/https://americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/visit/NMAI-NY-guide-180525.pdf |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref> |
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===== Transverse lobby ===== |
===== Transverse lobby ===== |
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The transverse lobby spans the northern end of the second floor from west to east. Generally, the more important offices were positioned north of the lobby, while divisions dealing in more routine work were relegated to the south.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="AB p. 52" /> Following the second floor's conversion into the Heye Center, the former back offices have been occupied by various exhibition galleries, while the front offices house the museum store and a future |
The transverse lobby spans the northern end of the second floor from west to east. Generally, the more important offices were positioned north of the lobby, while divisions dealing in more routine work were relegated to the south.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="AB p. 52" /> Following the second floor's conversion into the Heye Center, the former back offices have been occupied by various exhibition galleries, while the front offices house the museum store and a future café space.<ref name="Floor Plan" /> |
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[[Membrane structure|Membrane]] arches divide the lobby into five [[Bay (architecture)|bays]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /> The floors are decorated in marble mosaic patterns. An entablature runs around the top of the lobby, with galleries on the third story.<ref name="AB p. 52" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> There are two doorways on the walls, each topped by carved [[architrave]]s with nautical symbols.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 259">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=259}}</ref> The doors from the lobby to the former offices are made of varnished oak and stippled glass.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 259-260">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=259–260}}</ref> At the center of the lobby is a three-bay-wide foyer with a pair of round arches to the north and south, which are supplemented by green [[Doric order|Doric-style]] marble columns with white capitals.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /> The bays of the foyer are separated by marble [[Pier (architecture)|piers]].<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> Three bronze lanterns are suspended from the vaulted ceiling,<ref name="AB p. 52" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6" /> hanging above a red-marble disc on the floor. Elmer E. Garnsey designed murals for the ceiling.<ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /> |
[[Membrane structure|Membrane]] arches divide the lobby into five [[Bay (architecture)|bays]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /> The floors are decorated in marble mosaic patterns. An entablature runs around the top of the lobby, with galleries on the third story.<ref name="AB p. 52" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=6}}</ref> There are two doorways on the walls, each topped by carved [[architrave]]s with nautical symbols.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 259">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=259}}</ref> The doors from the lobby to the former offices are made of varnished oak and stippled glass.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 259-260">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=259–260}}</ref> At the center of the lobby is a three-bay-wide foyer with a pair of round arches to the north and south, which are supplemented by green [[Doric order|Doric-style]] marble columns with white capitals.<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /> The bays of the foyer are separated by marble [[Pier (architecture)|piers]].<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> Three bronze lanterns are suspended from the vaulted ceiling,<ref name="AB p. 52" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6" /> hanging above a red-marble disc on the floor. Elmer E. Garnsey designed murals for the ceiling.<ref name="Reynolds p. 260" /> |
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===== Offices and rotunda ===== |
===== Offices and rotunda ===== |
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The collector's office is at the northwestern corner of the second floor.<ref name="AB p. 52" /><ref name="Floor Plan" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> The office contains elaborate hardwood floors and oak [[wainscoting]] designed by [[Tiffany glass|Tiffany Studios]].<ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> Garnsey painted ten oil paintings, which are installed above the wainscoting.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 258-259">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=258–259}}</ref> Each painting contains a gold frame and depicts a Dutch or English port in the [[New World]].<ref name="Reynolds pp. 258-259" /> The office also included a stone [[fireplace mantel]] with a plaque referencing Fort Amsterdam and the Government House.<ref name="AB p. 542">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|p=54}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|New York State Legislature|1914|P=98}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 8">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=8}}</ref> The coffered plaster ceiling has molded decorations, including a motif of the collector's monogram.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="AB p. 542" /> Fourteen lighting fixtures, covered in gold leaf, hang from the ceiling.<ref name="Reynolds p. 258">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=258}}</ref> The room is normally closed to the public but can be rented for events.<ref name="National Museum of the American Indian 2018">{{cite web |url=https://americanindian.si.edu/support/specialevents/newyork |title=Host an Event in New York, NY |date=August 1, 2018 |publisher= |
The collector's office is at the northwestern corner of the second floor.<ref name="AB p. 52" /><ref name="Floor Plan" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=7}}</ref> The office contains elaborate hardwood floors and oak [[wainscoting]] designed by [[Tiffany glass|Tiffany Studios]].<ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="NYCL p. 7" /> Garnsey painted ten oil paintings, which are installed above the wainscoting.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 258-259">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=258–259}}</ref> Each painting contains a gold frame and depicts a Dutch or English port in the [[New World]].<ref name="Reynolds pp. 258-259" /> The office also included a stone [[fireplace mantel]] with a plaque referencing Fort Amsterdam and the Government House.<ref name="AB p. 542">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|p=54}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|New York State Legislature|1914|P=98}}</ref><ref name="NYCL p. 8">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=8}}</ref> The coffered plaster ceiling has molded decorations, including a motif of the collector's monogram.<ref name="NYCL p. 7" /><ref name="AB p. 542" /> Fourteen lighting fixtures, covered in gold leaf, hang from the ceiling.<ref name="Reynolds p. 258">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=258}}</ref> The room is normally closed to the public but can be rented for events.<ref name="National Museum of the American Indian 2018">{{cite web |url=https://americanindian.si.edu/support/specialevents/newyork |title=Host an Event in New York, NY |date=August 1, 2018 |publisher=[[George Gustav Heye Center]] |access-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309140516/https://americanindian.si.edu/support/specialevents/newyork |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The manager's office is next to the collector's office and is decorated with plain plaster walls, topped by a cornice in the [[Ionic order]].<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 259" /> The northeastern corner contained the cashier's office, which contained a white-marble countertop with a bronze screen.<ref name="AB p. 542" /><ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> The southern half of the cashier's room has white-marble walls and was originally where members of the public conducted their transactions. The northern half, where the cashiers themselves worked, has plaster walls.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 259" /> The ornate plasterwork ceiling is decorated to resemble Renaissance "boxed beams",<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> while the marble floor has a geometric border.<ref name="Reynolds p. 259" /> The former cashier's office has been incorporated into the Heye Center's museum store.<ref name="Floor Plan" /> |
The manager's office is next to the collector's office and is decorated with plain plaster walls, topped by a cornice in the [[Ionic order]].<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 259" /> The northeastern corner contained the cashier's office, which contained a white-marble countertop with a bronze screen.<ref name="AB p. 542" /><ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> The southern half of the cashier's room has white-marble walls and was originally where members of the public conducted their transactions. The northern half, where the cashiers themselves worked, has plaster walls.<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 259" /> The ornate plasterwork ceiling is decorated to resemble Renaissance "boxed beams",<ref name="NYCL p. 8" /> while the marble floor has a geometric border.<ref name="Reynolds p. 259" /> The former cashier's office has been incorporated into the Heye Center's museum store.<ref name="Floor Plan" /> |
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The elliptical rotunda, within the building's interior courtyard, measures {{Convert|85|by|135|ft|abbr=}}<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 56">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|p=56}}</ref> and rises to the third story.<ref name="GSA 2019" /> The walls and floors are composed of geometric marble tiles in several hues.<ref name="Reynolds p. 257" /><ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> The ceiling is self-supporting, without any interior metal structure; it uses the [[Guastavino tile]] arch system created by Spanish architect [[Rafael Guastavino]]. It consists of numerous layers of fireproof tiles,{{efn|The lower sections of the rotunda's ceiling contain nine layers of tiles, while the upper sections contain three layers. These are arranged as two "shells" with a space between them.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 60" />}} each of which measures {{Convert|6|x|12|in|cm|abbr=}} across and {{Convert|1|in|cm|abbr=}} thick. The tiles and layers are bonded using Portland cement.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 60" /> The center of the ceiling is occupied by a {{Convert|140|ST|t|abbr=off|adj=on|sp=us}} oval [[skylight]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 257" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 60">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|p=60}}</ref> The underside of the ceiling contains eight trapezoidal panels, as well as eight long, narrow panels between them.<ref name="AB p. 56" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 257-258">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=257–258}}</ref> The panels contain [[fresco-secco]] murals, which were painted in 1937 by [[Reginald Marsh (artist)|Reginald Marsh]] and eight assistants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/u-s-custom-house-murals-new-york-ny/ |title=U.S. Custom House Murals – New York NY |website=[[Living New Deal]] |publisher=Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley |access-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426064214/https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/u-s-custom-house-murals-new-york-ny/ |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=O'Connor |first=Francis V. |date=Autumn 1969 |title=The New Deal Art Projects in New York |journal=The American Art Journal |publisher=Kennedy Galleries, Inc. |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=62–63 |doi=10.2307/1593876 |jstor=1593876}}</ref><ref name="NYCL pp. 6-7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|pp=6–7}}</ref>{{efn|The assistants were Xavier J. Barile, Lloyd Lozes Goff, Mary Fife, Ludwig Mactarian, Oliver M. Baker, John Poehler, J. Walkely. and E. Volsung.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" />}} The larger murals portray shipping activity in the [[Port of New York and New Jersey]], while the smaller murals depict notable explorers of the New World and the Port of New York.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 257-258" /> The rotunda can be rented for special events.<ref name="National Museum of the American Indian 2018" /> |
The elliptical rotunda, within the building's interior courtyard, measures {{Convert|85|by|135|ft|abbr=}}<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 56">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|p=56}}</ref> and rises to the third story.<ref name="GSA 2019" /> The walls and floors are composed of geometric marble tiles in several hues.<ref name="Reynolds p. 257" /><ref name="NYCL p. 5" /> The ceiling is self-supporting, without any interior metal structure; it uses the [[Guastavino tile]] arch system created by Spanish architect [[Rafael Guastavino]]. It consists of numerous layers of fireproof tiles,{{efn|The lower sections of the rotunda's ceiling contain nine layers of tiles, while the upper sections contain three layers. These are arranged as two "shells" with a space between them.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 60" />}} each of which measures {{Convert|6|x|12|in|cm|abbr=}} across and {{Convert|1|in|cm|abbr=}} thick. The tiles and layers are bonded using Portland cement.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 60" /> The center of the ceiling is occupied by a {{Convert|140|ST|t|abbr=off|adj=on|sp=us}} oval [[skylight]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 257" /><ref name="NYCL p. 6" /><ref name="AB p. 60">{{harvnb|Architects' and Builders' Magazine|1908|ps=.|p=60}}</ref> The underside of the ceiling contains eight trapezoidal panels, as well as eight long, narrow panels between them.<ref name="AB p. 56" /><ref name="Reynolds pp. 257-258">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|pp=257–258}}</ref> The panels contain [[fresco-secco]] murals, which were painted in 1937 by [[Reginald Marsh (artist)|Reginald Marsh]] and eight assistants as part of the [[Treasury Relief Art Project]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/u-s-custom-house-murals-new-york-ny/ |title=U.S. Custom House Murals – New York NY |website=[[Living New Deal]] |publisher=Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley |access-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426064214/https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/u-s-custom-house-murals-new-york-ny/ |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=O'Connor |first=Francis V.|author-link=Francis V. O'Connor |date=Autumn 1969 |title=The New Deal Art Projects in New York |journal=The American Art Journal |publisher=Kennedy Galleries, Inc. |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=62–63 |doi=10.2307/1593876 |jstor=1593876}}</ref><ref name="NYCL pp. 6-7">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|pp=6–7}}</ref>{{efn|The assistants were Xavier J. Barile, Lloyd Lozes Goff, Mary Fife, Ludwig Mactarian, Oliver M. Baker, John Poehler, J. Walkely. and E. Volsung.<ref name="NYCL p. 6" />}} The larger murals portray shipping activity in the [[Port of New York and New Jersey]], while the smaller murals depict notable explorers of the New World and the Port of New York.<ref name="Reynolds pp. 257-258" /> The rotunda can be rented for special events.<ref name="National Museum of the American Indian 2018" /> |
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<gallery mode="packed" heights="160" caption="Rotunda murals"> |
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160" caption="Rotunda murals"> |
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Fryer recommended Bowling Green as his first preference for a new custom house, followed by a site immediately south, along State Street north of [[Battery Park]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1888/09/06/archives/for-new-public-buildings-the-report-of-superintendent-william-j.html |title=For New Public Buildings.; the Report of Superintendent William J. Fryer, Jr. |date=September 6, 1888 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In September 1889, Treasury secretary [[William Windom]] selected Bowling Green as the new site of the custom house and appraiser's warehouse.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1889/09/11/archives/bowling-green-selected-to-be-the-site-of-the-appraisers-stores.html |title=Bowling Green Selected; to Be the Site of the Appraisers Stores. |date=September 11, 1889 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Almost immediately, problems arose with the selection: Windom was accused of exceeding his authority in selecting the new site,<ref name="nyt18891030" /> city businessmen opposed moving the custom house,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/01/21/archives/object-to-bowling-green-why-business-men-oppose-the-removal-of-the.html |title=Object to Bowling Green.; Why Business Men Oppose the Removal of the Custom House. |date=January 21, 1891 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a judge ruled in 1891 that the federal government could not take the Bowling Green site by [[eminent domain]] as it had proposed to do.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/03/17/archives/it-would-be-unlawful-to-condemn-the-bowling-green-site-as-proposed.html |title=It Would Be Unlawful; to Condemn the Bowling Green Site as Proposed. Judge Wallace Decides That If Uncle Sam Wants Land for a Custom House He Must Proceed According to State Statutes. |date=March 17, 1891 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A bill to acquire land for a new New York City custom house and sell the old building was passed in both houses of the U.S. Congress in early 1891.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/03/03/archives/the-new-custom-house-passage-of-the-bill-which-now-goes-to-the.html |title=The New Custom House.; Passage of the Bill, Which Now Goes to the President. |date=March 3, 1891 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404231224/https://www.nytimes.com/1891/03/03/archives/the-new-custom-house-passage-of-the-bill-which-now-goes-to-the.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
Fryer recommended Bowling Green as his first preference for a new custom house, followed by a site immediately south, along State Street north of [[Battery Park]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1888/09/06/archives/for-new-public-buildings-the-report-of-superintendent-william-j.html |title=For New Public Buildings.; the Report of Superintendent William J. Fryer, Jr. |date=September 6, 1888 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In September 1889, Treasury secretary [[William Windom]] selected Bowling Green as the new site of the custom house and appraiser's warehouse.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1889/09/11/archives/bowling-green-selected-to-be-the-site-of-the-appraisers-stores.html |title=Bowling Green Selected; to Be the Site of the Appraisers Stores. |date=September 11, 1889 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Almost immediately, problems arose with the selection: Windom was accused of exceeding his authority in selecting the new site,<ref name="nyt18891030" /> city businessmen opposed moving the custom house,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/01/21/archives/object-to-bowling-green-why-business-men-oppose-the-removal-of-the.html |title=Object to Bowling Green.; Why Business Men Oppose the Removal of the Custom House. |date=January 21, 1891 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and a judge ruled in 1891 that the federal government could not take the Bowling Green site by [[eminent domain]] as it had proposed to do.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/03/17/archives/it-would-be-unlawful-to-condemn-the-bowling-green-site-as-proposed.html |title=It Would Be Unlawful; to Condemn the Bowling Green Site as Proposed. Judge Wallace Decides That If Uncle Sam Wants Land for a Custom House He Must Proceed According to State Statutes. |date=March 17, 1891 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A bill to acquire land for a new New York City custom house and sell the old building was passed in both houses of the U.S. Congress in early 1891.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/03/03/archives/the-new-custom-house-passage-of-the-bill-which-now-goes-to-the.html |title=The New Custom House.; Passage of the Bill, Which Now Goes to the President. |date=March 3, 1891 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404231224/https://www.nytimes.com/1891/03/03/archives/the-new-custom-house-passage-of-the-bill-which-now-goes-to-the.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The federal government appointed three commissioners to appraise the cost of acquiring land at Bowling Green; in July 1892, the appraisers estimated that the site would cost $1.96 |
The federal government appointed three commissioners to appraise the cost of acquiring land at Bowling Green; in July 1892, the appraisers estimated that the site would cost $1.96 million (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1.96|start_year=1892|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1892/07/08/archives/the-appraisal-completed-what-the-site-of-the-new-custom-house-will.html |title=The Appraisal Completed; What the Site of the New Custom House Will Cost. |date=July 8, 1892 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Still, in January 1893, there was not enough money to purchase the lots at Bowling Green. The lessees and landowners were supposed to receive $2.1 million (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2.1|start_year=1893|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}), but there was only $1.5 million on hand (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1.5|start_year=1893|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}). The 1891 bill had allowed up to $2 million for land acquisition and had required that the previous building be sold for at least $4 million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1893/01/12/archives/pretty-badly-tangled-up-matters-relating-to-the-new-custom-house.html |title=Pretty Badly Tangled up; Matters Relating to the New Custom House Site. Not Enough Money Available to Purchase the Bowling Green Property -- Clouds on the Titles -- the Courts to Be Asked to Straighten Things Out. |date=January 12, 1893 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="nyw18980210">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48789448/ |title=That New Custom House |date=February 10, 1898 |work=New York World |issn=1941-0654 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> No progress was made until 1897, when a further appropriation was proposed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/48787962/ |title=New Customs House Site in New York |date=December 5, 1897 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |issn=2577-9397 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=5 |via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404231218/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/48787962/new-customs-house-site-in-new-york/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The proposed disbursements that would have gone to the landowners instead remained in the Treasury.<ref name="nyw18980210" /><ref name="rer18990429">{{cite magazine |date=April 29, 1899 |title=The Bowling Green Site |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_023_18.pdf |journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide |volume=63 |page=762 |via=[[Columbia University]] |number=1624 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=2022-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811161446/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_023_18.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[Federal Office Building (New York City)|alternate site]] in the [[West Village]] was chosen for the appraiser's warehouse.<ref name="rer18990429" /> |
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==== Competition and site acquisition ==== |
==== Competition and site acquisition ==== |
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Architectural writer Donald Reynolds stated that the new custom house was to be as modern as possible, with "an architectural style that embodied the tradition of the customs service, the federal government, and the United States with the latest building technology".<ref name="Reynolds p. 256">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=256}}</ref> The [[Tarsney Act]], passed in 1893, permitted the Supervising Architect to host a competition to hire private architects to design federal-government buildings. However, the act did not take effect until Treasury secretary [[Lyman J. Gage]] took office in 1897.<ref name="NYCL p. 3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> Furthermore, it was difficult for the federal government to sell the old building for the required price of $4 |
Architectural writer Donald Reynolds stated that the new custom house was to be as modern as possible, with "an architectural style that embodied the tradition of the customs service, the federal government, and the United States with the latest building technology".<ref name="Reynolds p. 256">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=256}}</ref> The [[Tarsney Act]], passed in 1893, permitted the Supervising Architect to host a competition to hire private architects to design federal-government buildings. However, the act did not take effect until Treasury secretary [[Lyman J. Gage]] took office in 1897.<ref name="NYCL p. 3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1979|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> Furthermore, it was difficult for the federal government to sell the old building for the required price of $4 million (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=4|start_year=1892|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1898/02/11/archives/new-custom-house-projected-collector-bidwell-enlists-secretary-gage.html |title=New Custom House Projected; Collector Bidwell Enlists Secretary Gage in Favor of a Building on the Bowling Green Site. |date=February 11, 1898 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The new New York Custom House was only the fourth building to be built under the Tarsney Act.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> |
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[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] officials wished to have complete control over spending for the new custom house building.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> Originally, the Chamber of Commerce and many business interests advocated for erecting a new custom house on the Wall Street site, even though it was less than half the size of the proposed Bowling Green site.<ref name="nyw18980210" /> In 1897, Senator [[Thomas C. Platt]] and Representative [[Lemuel E. Quigg]], both Republicans, proposed bills in the [[United States Senate]] and [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] for building a new custom house at Wall Street, with Platt's bill calling for a five-person commission to oversee the process.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1897/02/20/archives/the-custom-house-bill-commission-plan-accepted-with-some-amendments.html |title=The Custom House Bill; Commission Plan Accepted with Some Amendments, and the Measure Reported Favorably |date=February 20, 1897 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The bills died at the end of the [[54th United States Congress]] in March 1897.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48791609/ |title=The New Custom House |date=March 4, 1897 |work=Brooklyn Times-Union |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=4 |via= |
[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] officials wished to have complete control over spending for the new custom house building.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> Originally, the Chamber of Commerce and many business interests advocated for erecting a new custom house on the Wall Street site, even though it was less than half the size of the proposed Bowling Green site.<ref name="nyw18980210" /> In 1897, Senator [[Thomas C. Platt]] and Representative [[Lemuel E. Quigg]], both Republicans, proposed bills in the [[United States Senate]] and [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] for building a new custom house at Wall Street, with Platt's bill calling for a five-person commission to oversee the process.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1897/02/20/archives/the-custom-house-bill-commission-plan-accepted-with-some-amendments.html |title=The Custom House Bill; Commission Plan Accepted with Some Amendments, and the Measure Reported Favorably |date=February 20, 1897 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The bills died at the end of the [[54th United States Congress]] in March 1897.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48791609/ |title=The New Custom House |date=March 4, 1897 |work=Brooklyn Times-Union |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> During the [[55th United States Congress|55th Congress]] in February 1898, legislation for the acquisition of the Bowling Green site was again proposed in the U.S. House and Senate, providing $5 million (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=5|start_year=1898|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}) for land acquisition and construction.<ref name="nyw18980210" /> The U.S. House and Senate passed the Bowling Green bills the next year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/03/01/archives/the-new-york-custom-house-bill-for-the-purchase-of-the-bowling.html |title=The New York Custom House; Bill for the Purchase of the Bowling Green Site Passes in Senate and House. |date=March 1, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 4, 1899 |title=The Outsider and the Market |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_023_9.pdf |journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide |volume=63 |page=366 |via=[[Columbia University]] |number=1616 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=2022-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618154443/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_023_9.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, most of the structures on the site were three-story houses used by steamship offices;<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> by April, agreements had been made with most of the sixteen landowners.<ref name="rer18990429" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/04/20/archives/for-the-custom-house-site-all-but-three-bowling-green-property.html |title=For the Custom House Site; All but Three Bowling Green Property Owners Consent to Sell. |date=April 20, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The federal government disbursed $2.2 million (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2.2|start_year=1899|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}) to landowners at the Bowling Green site that June.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/07/27/archives/the-new-custom-house-site-formal-transfer-of-the-bowling-green.html |title=The New Custom House Site; Formal Transfer of the Bowling Green Property |date=July 27, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two months later, the old Custom House was sold for $3.21 million (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=3.21|start_year=1899|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/08/30/archives/old-custom-house-paid-for-the-3210000-makes-a-material-change-in.html |title=Old Custom House Paid For; The $3,210,000 Makes a Material Change in Treasury Statement. |date=August 30, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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Twenty firms were invited in May 1899 to submit designs to the competition under the terms of the Tarsney Act.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/12/archives/new-york-custom-house-government-invites-twenty-firms-of-architects.html |title=New York Custom House; Government Invites Twenty Firms of Architects to Compete. |date=May 12, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The government stipulated that any plan include a ground-level basement and up to six stories, as well as a southward-facing light court above the third story.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/06/23/archives/new-custom-house-plans-architects-who-are-to-compete-for-the-design.html |title=New Custom House Plans; Architects Who Are to Compete for the Design Receive the Government's Specifications. |date=June 23, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A committee of three men was appointed to look over the submissions.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> By September 1899, there were two finalists: architecture firm [[Carrere & Hastings]] and architect Cass Gilbert.<ref name="Stern (1983) p. 74" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/09/24/archives/custom-house-plans-chosen-committee-selects-those-of-carrere.html |title=Custom House Plans Chosen; Committee Selects Those of Carrere & Hastings and Cass Gilbert -- One of Them May Withdraw. |date=September 24, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9351469/ |title=Two Custom-House Ideas |date=September 25, 1899 |work=New York World |issn=1941-0654 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=5 |via= |
Twenty firms were invited in May 1899 to submit designs to the competition under the terms of the Tarsney Act.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/05/12/archives/new-york-custom-house-government-invites-twenty-firms-of-architects.html |title=New York Custom House; Government Invites Twenty Firms of Architects to Compete. |date=May 12, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The government stipulated that any plan include a ground-level basement and up to six stories, as well as a southward-facing light court above the third story.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/06/23/archives/new-custom-house-plans-architects-who-are-to-compete-for-the-design.html |title=New Custom House Plans; Architects Who Are to Compete for the Design Receive the Government's Specifications. |date=June 23, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A committee of three men was appointed to look over the submissions.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> By September 1899, there were two finalists: architecture firm [[Carrere & Hastings]] and architect Cass Gilbert.<ref name="Stern (1983) p. 74" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/09/24/archives/custom-house-plans-chosen-committee-selects-those-of-carrere.html |title=Custom House Plans Chosen; Committee Selects Those of Carrere & Hastings and Cass Gilbert -- One of Them May Withdraw. |date=September 24, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9351469/ |title=Two Custom-House Ideas |date=September 25, 1899 |work=New York World |issn=1941-0654 |access-date=April 15, 2020 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> After a plan for the two finalists to collaborate failed,<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /> Supervising Architect [[James Knox Taylor]] picked Gilbert, who had been his partner at the Gilbert & Taylor architecture firm in [[St. Paul, Minnesota]].<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Lee|2000|page=197}}</ref> The selection of Gilbert was controversial, drawing opposition from Platt and several groups.<ref name="NYW-Picture-1899">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48791959/ |title=First Picture of New Custom-House to be Built on Bowling Green |date=November 6, 1899 |work=New York World |issn=1941-0654 |access-date=February 2, 2020 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/10/25/archives/senator-platt-and-the-custom-house.html |title=Senator Platt and the Custom House. |date=October 25, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815150421/https://www.nytimes.com/1899/10/25/archives/senator-platt-and-the-custom-house.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of the opposition centered around the fact that Gilbert was a "westerner" who had just moved from Minnesota to New York City, and several opponents raised doubts about the jury's competence.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" /><ref name="NYW-Picture-1899" /> After Gage certified Gilbert's selection in November 1899,<ref name="NYW-Picture-1899" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/11/04/archives/custom-house-architect-secretary-gage-accepts-the-plans-of-cass.html |title=Custom House Architect; Secretary Gage Accepts the Plans of Cass Gilbert |date=November 4, 1899 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> the opposition decreased significantly.<ref name="NYW-Picture-1899" /> |
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==== Construction and opening ==== |
==== Construction and opening ==== |
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Demolition of existing buildings on the site began in February 1900,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/02/02/archives/new-custom-house-site-work-of-tearing-down-old-buildings-will-go-on.html |title=New Custom House Site; Work of Tearing Down Old Buildings Will Go on at Once. |date=February 2, 1900 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007000738/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/02/02/archives/new-custom-house-site-work-of-tearing-down-old-buildings-will-go-on.html |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> and by that August, test bores were being made for the construction of the new Custom House's foundations.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/08/14/archives/custom-house-foundations-borings-being-made-on-the-site-for-the-new.html |title=Custom House Foundations; Borings Being Made on the Site for the New Building. |date=August 14, 1900 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Isaac A. Hoppes received a contract for such work the same December.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> The site was excavated to a depth of {{Convert|25|ft||abbr=}}, and some {{Convert|2.2|e6ft3||abbr=}} of dirt was removed. The ''[[New-York Tribune]]'' called the site "the biggest hole that was ever made in this city over which to erect a building".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48841340/ |title=An Underground City |date=January 12, 1902 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=21 |via= |
Demolition of existing buildings on the site began in February 1900,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/02/02/archives/new-custom-house-site-work-of-tearing-down-old-buildings-will-go-on.html |title=New Custom House Site; Work of Tearing Down Old Buildings Will Go on at Once. |date=February 2, 1900 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007000738/https://www.nytimes.com/1900/02/02/archives/new-custom-house-site-work-of-tearing-down-old-buildings-will-go-on.html |archive-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref> and by that August, test bores were being made for the construction of the new Custom House's foundations.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1900/08/14/archives/custom-house-foundations-borings-being-made-on-the-site-for-the-new.html |title=Custom House Foundations; Borings Being Made on the Site for the New Building. |date=August 14, 1900 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Isaac A. Hoppes received a contract for such work the same December.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /> The site was excavated to a depth of {{Convert|25|ft||abbr=}}, and some {{Convert|2.2|e6ft3||abbr=}} of dirt was removed. The ''[[New-York Tribune]]'' called the site "the biggest hole that was ever made in this city over which to erect a building".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48841340/ |title=An Underground City |date=January 12, 1902 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In December 1901, the federal government accepted contractor John Peirce's bid to erect the Custom House building's first floor.{{efn|Peirce (also spelled Pierce) was previously one of the United States' largest granite contractors. As a general building contractor, he also worked on numerous [[early skyscrapers]], as well as the [[New York Public Library Main Branch]].<ref>{{cite report |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf |title=John Peirce Residence |date=June 23, 2009 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |access-date=February 2, 2020 |pages=4–5 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610192640/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2327.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Pending further appropriations, the rest of the building would also be built by Peirce.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1901/12/03/archives/to-build-new-custom-house-pierce-has-firststory-contract-will-erect.html |title=To Build New Custom House; Pierce Has First-Story Contract |date=December 3, 1901 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> At the time, there was only $3 million budgeted toward the Custom House's completion (equal to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=3|start_year=1901|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1901/11/22/archives/may-delay-work-on-the-new-custom-house-controller-of-the-treasury.html |title=May Delay Work on the New Custom House; Controller of the Treasury Gives an Important Decision |date=November 22, 1901 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="tribune19070630">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32478230/ |title=Wonderful Pile! |date=June 30, 1907 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=58 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The following November, Peirce was authorized to complete the remaining stories,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48842152/ |title=News of the Day Briefly Told |date=November 8, 1902 |work=Brooklyn Standard Union |access-date=April 17, 2020 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> after another $1.5 million (equal to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1.5|start_year=1901|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}) was allocated to continue construction.<ref name="tribune19070630" /> |
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The [[cornerstone]] of the building was laid on October 7, 1902, in a ceremony attended by Treasury secretary [[ |
The [[cornerstone]] of the building was laid on October 7, 1902, in a ceremony attended by Treasury secretary [[Leslie M. Shaw]]. After a [[ticker tape parade]] down Broadway, the cornerstone, filled with contemporary souvenirs and artifacts, was placed at the northeast corner of the site.<ref name="NYCL p. 4" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/10/08/archives/cornerstone-of-new-custom-house-lald-secretary-shaw-performs.html |title=Cornerstone of New Custom House Laid; Secretary Shaw Performs Ceremony and Makes an Address. Plea for Interchangeability of All Forms of Our Money with Gold -- English the Language of Commerce. |date=October 8, 1902 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48841770/ |title=New Custom House Formally Begun |date=October 7, 1902 |work=Brooklyn Standard Union |access-date=April 17, 2020 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The new Custom House's construction lagged due to government bureaucracy, while work on comparable private buildings nearby proceeded more quickly.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/11/30/archives/contzactozs-rush-skyscrapezs-while-public-buildings-creep-the-new.html |title=Contractors Rush Skyscrapers While Public Buildings Creep; The New Custom House, Public Library and Hall of Records Tied Down by Government Red Tape |date=November 30, 1902 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The slow construction was attributed to various reasons, such as concurrent jobs being undertaken by the building's contractors, money shortages, and lack of supplies.<ref name="tribune19070630" /> Nonetheless, the building's imminent completion sparked the development of other nearby sites.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/12/10/archives/influence-of-custom-house-on-surrounding-property-further-building.html |title=Influence of Custom House on Surrounding Property; Further Building Operations Looked for Upon Completion of that Structure |date=December 10, 1905 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609052817/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/12/10/archives/influence-of-custom-house-on-surrounding-property-further-building.html |archive-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> The Custom House was reportedly 70 percent complete by February 1905, according to Peirce.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 4, 1905 |title=Building Operations South of Chambers Street |url=https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_035_5.pdf |journal=The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide |volume=75 |page=244 |via=[[Columbia University]] |number=1925 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724194326/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_035_5.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> That September, J. C. Robinson was contracted to furnish the interior of the building.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48856266/ |title=Contracts for New Custom House |date=September 1, 1905 |work=New-York Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> With a proposed final cost of $4.5 million (approximately ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=4.5|start_year=1906|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}), it would be more expensive than any other public building in New York City except for the [[Tweed Courthouse]].<ref name="nyt19060114" /> |
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The building's first tenant was a [[United States Post Office Department]] station, which opened on the Bridge Street side of the building's ground floor in July 1906.<ref name="nyt19070911" /> The same year, an additional $465,000 was allocated for the building's completion (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=0.465|start_year=1906|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref name="tribune19070630" /> By September 1907, the Custom House was ready to open.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/11/archives/custom-house-opening-new-building-to-be-dedicated-on-september-23.html |title=Custom House Opening; New Building to be Dedicated on September 23. |date=September 11, 1907 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next month, the building was formally declared completed and the contractors turned over the building to the federal government. At the time, most of the internal furnishings had not been added.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/10/02/archives/contractors-finish-new-custom-house-the-bowling-green-building-is.html |title=Contractors Finish New Custom House; The Bowling Green Building Is Formally Turned Over to the Government |date=October 2, 1907 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The U.S. Customs Service moved its offices to Bowling Green on November 4, 1907.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48870085/ |title=Old Custom House Vacated |date=November 3, 1907 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=6 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |via= |
The building's first tenant was a [[United States Post Office Department]] station, which opened on the Bridge Street side of the building's ground floor in July 1906.<ref name="nyt19070911" /> The same year, an additional $465,000 was allocated for the building's completion (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=0.465|start_year=1906|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref name="tribune19070630" /> By September 1907, the Custom House was ready to open.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/09/11/archives/custom-house-opening-new-building-to-be-dedicated-on-september-23.html |title=Custom House Opening; New Building to be Dedicated on September 23. |date=September 11, 1907 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next month, the building was formally declared completed and the contractors turned over the building to the federal government. At the time, most of the internal furnishings had not been added.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/10/02/archives/contractors-finish-new-custom-house-the-bowling-green-building-is.html |title=Contractors Finish New Custom House; The Bowling Green Building Is Formally Turned Over to the Government |date=October 2, 1907 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The U.S. Customs Service moved its offices to Bowling Green on November 4, 1907.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48870085/ |title=Old Custom House Vacated |date=November 3, 1907 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2020 |page=6 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404231207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48870085/old-custom-house-vacated/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Use by U.S. Customs Service === |
=== Use by U.S. Customs Service === |
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[[File:US Customs House New York of to-day. (1912) (14782617492).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Custom House in 1912|alt=The northern and western facades of the Custom House in 1912]] |
[[File:US Customs House New York of to-day. (1912) (14782617492).jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Custom House in 1912|alt=The northern and western facades of the Custom House in 1912]] |
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Following the Customs Service's relocation to the Custom House, other government agencies with offices in New York City, such as the [[National Weather Service|Weather Bureau]], also moved to the Bowling Green Custom House. By 1908, the Custom House was fully occupied by these other agencies, as the Treasury's chief architect had assigned space to other departments without consulting with the collector.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/01/30/archives/custom-house-full-collector-fowler-finds-that-uncle-sam-is-letting.html |title=Custom House Full; Collector Fowler Finds That Uncle Sam Is Letting |
Following the Customs Service's relocation to the Custom House, other government agencies with offices in New York City, such as the [[National Weather Service|Weather Bureau]], also moved to the Bowling Green Custom House. By 1908, the Custom House was fully occupied by these other agencies, as the Treasury's chief architect had assigned space to other departments without consulting with the collector.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/01/30/archives/custom-house-full-collector-fowler-finds-that-uncle-sam-is-letting.html |title=Custom House Full; Collector Fowler Finds That Uncle Sam Is Letting in Other Tenants. |date=January 30, 1908 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 18, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next year, the House of Representatives approved the installation of a [[Pneumatic tube mail in New York City|pneumatic-tube]] system so the post office and custom house could send packages to the appraiser's warehouse.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/02/23/archives/tubes-for-custom-house-pneumatic-system-for-sending-packages-to.html |title=Tubes for Custom House; Pneumatic System for Sending Packages to Appraisers' Offices. |date=February 23, 1909 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1918, following the U.S. entry into [[World War I]] the previous year, Gilbert was directed to remove all references to Germany from the Custom House's sculptures, since Germany was one of the [[Central Powers]] against which the United States was fighting. The German insignia on the entablature's ''Germania'' statue was accordingly replaced with those of Belgium.<ref name="nyt19180913" /><ref name="nyh19180913" /> The next year, the U.S. Passport Agency moved to the Custom House building.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1919/07/26/archives/passport-agency-moves-to-custom-house.html |title=Passport Agency Moves to Custom House. |date=July 26, 1919 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 18, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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In 1937, during the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], the [[Treasury Relief Art Project]] (with funds and assistance from the [[Works Projects Administration]]) commissioned a cycle of murals for the main rotunda from Reginald Marsh.<ref name="NYCL pp. 6-7" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/16/archives/murals-approved-for-custom-house-eight-panels-depicting-scenes-of.html |title=Murals Approved for Custom House; Eight Panels Depicting Scenes of Modern Shipping to Adorn Dome of Rotunda |date=April 16, 1937 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 18, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404011050/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/16/archives/murals-approved-for-custom-house-eight-panels-depicting-scenes-of.html |archive-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref> The ceiling of the rotunda had been undecorated white plaster when the building was first erected.<ref name="AB p. 56" /> By 1940, officials were asking that the Custom House be renovated. Then-collector Harry M. Durning requested at least $190,000 from Congress, saying that "men [were] falling out of ancient chairs, and [...] our valuable records and current papers stacked on desks and improperly filed in decrepit cabinets and bookshelves".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/05/archives/renovation-urged-for-custom-house-durning-makes-a-desperate-effort.html |title=Renovation Urged for Custom House; Durning Makes a 'Desperate' Effort to Get $190,000 From Congress for Purpose |date=February 5, 1940 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 18, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> From 1914 to 1956, the Bowling Green Custom House also included a regional tax office, where companies and residents in Manhattan south of 34th Street had to pay their taxes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/11/29/archives/us-taxes-office-to-move-monday-5billionayear-branch-is-quitting.html |title=U.S. Taxes Office to Move Monday; 5-Billion-a-Year Branch Is Quitting Custom House for 245 West Houston St. |date=November 29, 1956 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
In 1937, during the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], the [[Treasury Relief Art Project]] (with funds and assistance from the [[Works Projects Administration]]) commissioned a cycle of murals for the main rotunda from Reginald Marsh.<ref name="NYCL pp. 6-7" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/16/archives/murals-approved-for-custom-house-eight-panels-depicting-scenes-of.html |title=Murals Approved for Custom House; Eight Panels Depicting Scenes of Modern Shipping to Adorn Dome of Rotunda |date=April 16, 1937 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 18, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404011050/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/04/16/archives/murals-approved-for-custom-house-eight-panels-depicting-scenes-of.html |archive-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref> The ceiling of the rotunda had been undecorated white plaster when the building was first erected.<ref name="AB p. 56" /> By 1940, officials were asking that the Custom House be renovated. Then-collector Harry M. Durning requested at least $190,000 from Congress, saying that "men [were] falling out of ancient chairs, and [...] our valuable records and current papers stacked on desks and improperly filed in decrepit cabinets and bookshelves".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/05/archives/renovation-urged-for-custom-house-durning-makes-a-desperate-effort.html |title=Renovation Urged for Custom House; Durning Makes a 'Desperate' Effort to Get $190,000 From Congress for Purpose |date=February 5, 1940 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 18, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> From 1914 to 1956, the Bowling Green Custom House also included a regional tax office, where companies and residents in Manhattan south of 34th Street had to pay their taxes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/11/29/archives/us-taxes-office-to-move-monday-5billionayear-branch-is-quitting.html |title=U.S. Taxes Office to Move Monday; 5-Billion-a-Year Branch Is Quitting Custom House for 245 West Houston St. |date=November 29, 1956 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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==== Decline and restoration ==== |
==== Decline and restoration ==== |
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[[File:AH Custom house dusk jeh.JPG|thumb|Seen at dusk in 2008|alt=The northern facade of the Custom House as seen at dusk in 2008]] |
[[File:AH Custom house dusk jeh.JPG|thumb|Seen at dusk in 2008|alt=The northern facade of the Custom House as seen at dusk in 2008]] |
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As early as 1964, the U.S. Customs Service considered moving to the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]], which was [[Construction of the World Trade Center|under construction]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/10/archives/site-tests-begun-for-trade-center-realty-men-say-borings-are.html |title=Site Tests Begin for Trade Center; Realty Men Say Borings Are Designed to Fool Public |date=June 10, 1964 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Customs Service leased space at [[Six World Trade Center]] from the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]] in 1970,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bamberger |first=Werner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/07/archives/custom-house-to-get-an-18million-home.html |title=Custom House to Get an $18 ‐Million Home |date=June 7, 1970 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322165755/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/07/archives/custom-house-to-get-an-18million-home.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and it relocated in 1973.<ref name="nyt19831111">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/11/nyregion/after-decade-of-abandonment-custom-house-invites-tenants.html |title=After Decade of Abandonment, Custom House Invites Tenants |date=November 11, 1983 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524140304/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/11/nyregion/after-decade-of-abandonment-custom-house-invites-tenants.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the New York Custom House had 1,375 employees, and the land under the building was estimated to be worth between $15 |
As early as 1964, the U.S. Customs Service considered moving to the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]], which was [[Construction of the World Trade Center|under construction]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/06/10/archives/site-tests-begun-for-trade-center-realty-men-say-borings-are.html |title=Site Tests Begin for Trade Center; Realty Men Say Borings Are Designed to Fool Public |date=June 10, 1964 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Customs Service leased space at [[Six World Trade Center]] from the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]] in 1970,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bamberger |first=Werner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/07/archives/custom-house-to-get-an-18million-home.html |title=Custom House to Get an $18 ‐Million Home |date=June 7, 1970 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322165755/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/07/archives/custom-house-to-get-an-18million-home.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and it relocated in 1973.<ref name="nyt19831111">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/11/nyregion/after-decade-of-abandonment-custom-house-invites-tenants.html |title=After Decade of Abandonment, Custom House Invites Tenants |date=November 11, 1983 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524140304/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/11/nyregion/after-decade-of-abandonment-custom-house-invites-tenants.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the New York Custom House had 1,375 employees, and the land under the building was estimated to be worth between $15 million and $20 million (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=15|start_year=1973|fmt=c}}–{{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=20|start_year=1973|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bamberger |first=Werner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/04/archives/u-s-prepares-to-vacate-the-1907-custom-house.html |title=U.S. Prepares to Vacate The 1907 Custom House |date=September 4, 1973 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The [[General Services Administration]] (GSA) acquired the Bowling Green Custom House after the Customs Service relocated.<ref name="nyt19760701">{{Cite news |last=Wins |first=Molly |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/07/01/archives/restored-custom-house-glows-for-bicentennial-custom-house-glows-for.html |title=Restored Custom House Glows for Bicentennial |date=July 1, 1976 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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From 1974 on, the Custom House was largely vacant, and different parts of the building fell into various states of disrepair. Marsh's ceiling murals and the commissioner's room remained relatively intact, but there was peeling paint in other offices, and weeds were growing from the statues outside.<ref name="nyt19831111" /> The |
From 1974 on, the Custom House was largely vacant, and different parts of the building fell into various states of disrepair. Marsh's ceiling murals and the commissioner's room remained relatively intact, but there was peeling paint in other offices, and weeds were growing from the statues outside.<ref name="nyt19831111" /> The nonprofit organization Custom House Institute was founded in 1974 to preserve the building.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tomasson|first=Robert E.|date=March 17, 1974|title=A$25‐Million Renovation Of Custom House Studied|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/17/archives/a-25million-renovation-of-custom-house-studied-custom-house.html|access-date=October 4, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The next year, the federal government declared the building "surplus" property, thereby making it available to the city government.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/03/13/archives/us-custom-house-is-declared-surplus-so-city-can-get-it.html |title=U.S. Custom House Is Declared Surplus So City Can Get It |date=March 13, 1975 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The architect [[I. M. Pei]] suggested converting the upper floors into office space, keeping the second-floor rotunda open, and converting the first floor to commercial use. This did not happen, and the Custom House Institute occupied the first floor while the GSA cleaned the facade; the upper six floors remained unused.<ref name="nyt19760701" /> These stories were seldom open to the public except for special events.<ref name="nyt19831111" /> These included the [[United States Bicentennial|bicentennial of the United States]] in 1976,<ref name="nyt19760701" /> a summer arts program in 1977,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/25/archives/us-custom-house-will-reopen-on-wednesday-as-an-arts-center.html |title=U.S. Custom House Will Reopen On Wednesday as an Arts Center |date=June 25, 1977 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and another arts exhibition in 1979.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rockwell |first=John |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/04/archives/custom-house-is-setting-for-a-world-of-new-arts-setting-for-new.html |title=Custom House Is Setting For a World Of New Arts |date=May 4, 1979 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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The Custom House Institute suggested converting the building into a museum and restaurant.<ref name=p123392712>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|123392712}} |title=About Real Estate: Outlook for Old Custom House, Vintage, 1907, Is Under Scrutiny |first=Carter B. |last=Horsley |date=November 30, 1977 |page=90 |work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The GSA estimated in 1977 that it would cost $24 |
The Custom House Institute suggested converting the building into a museum and restaurant.<ref name=p123392712>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|123392712}} |title=About Real Estate: Outlook for Old Custom House, Vintage, 1907, Is Under Scrutiny |first=Carter B. |last=Horsley |date=November 30, 1977 |page=90 |work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The GSA estimated in 1977 that it would cost $24 million to renovate the Bowling Green Custom House (about ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=24|start_year=1977|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}).<ref name="GSA 2019" /> The building's preservation was spurred by U.S. senator [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]], who gave U.S. House representatives a tour of the building to convince them to fund its renovation. In 1979, in part because of his advocacy, Congress approved $26.5 million for the renovation, including the restoration of Marsh's murals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McNeil | first=Donald G. Jr. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/14/archives/senate-unit-approves-292-million-project-at-old-custom-house.html |title=Senate Unit Approves $29.2 Million Project at Old Custom House |date=September 14, 1979 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=p963731961>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|963731961}} |title=Custom House Renovation |date=September 14, 1979 |page=26 |work=Newsday}}</ref> The GSA opened a [[request for proposal]]s in 1983, soliciting tenants for {{Convert|77000|ft2||abbr=}} at the Custom House.<ref name="nyt19831111" /> Six plans were presented to [[Manhattan Community Board 1]] in August 1984. Among those, two plans were considered most seriously: one for a [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] museum and the other for a cultural and educational center with an ocean liner museum, restaurants, and theaters.<ref name="nyt19840802">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/08/02/nyregion/plans-for-custom-house-are-presented-to-board.html |title=Plans for Custom House Are Presented to Board |date=August 2, 1984 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130102306/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/08/02/nyregion/plans-for-custom-house-are-presented-to-board.html |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Of these, the community board's members were overwhelmingly in favor of the cultural and educational center, while Jewish groups preferred the Holocaust museum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freedman |first=Samuel G. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/19/arts/2-groups-vying-for-custom-house.html |title=2 Groups Vying for Custom House |date=September 19, 1984 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130103303/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/19/arts/2-groups-vying-for-custom-house.html |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Holocaust museum proposal was selected in October 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Joseph |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/18/nyregion/custom-house-will-be-museum-on-holocaust.html |title=Custom House Will Be Museum on Holocaust |date=October 18, 1984 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154529/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/18/nyregion/custom-house-will-be-museum-on-holocaust.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Museum of Jewish Heritage]], as the museum would be known, accepted an alternate site nearby at [[Battery Park City]] two years later,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Joseph |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/05/nyregion/holocaust-memorial-to-rise-near-battery-park.html |title=Holocaust Memorial to Rise Near Battery Park |date=September 5, 1986 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203113605/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/05/nyregion/holocaust-memorial-to-rise-near-battery-park.html |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> after preservationists said it would be "inappropriate" for such a museum to be located in the Custom House.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oreskes |first=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/05/nyregion/battery-park-city-offers-holocaust-museum-a-site.html |title=Battery Park City Offers Holocaust Museum a Site |date=April 5, 1985 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128062330/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/05/nyregion/battery-park-city-offers-holocaust-museum-a-site.html |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:USA-NYC-National Museum of American Indian0.jpg|thumb|Main entrance, seen in 2013|alt=Main entrance archway of the Custom House as seen in 2013. There is a banner for the Museum of the American Indian in the archway.]] |
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An $18.3 million renovation (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=18.3|start_year=1984|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}) began in August 1984.<ref name="nyt19840802 |
An $18.3 million renovation (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=18.3|start_year=1984|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}{{inflation/fn|US-GDP|group=lower-alpha}}) began in August 1984.<ref name="nyt19840802" /> Ehrenkrantz and Eckstut Architects conducted the renovation.<ref name="GSA 2019" /><ref name="nyt19941023">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/23/realestate/postings-museum-american-indian-open-next-sunday-changing-roles-for-once-empty.html |title=Postings: Museum of the American Indian to Open Next Sunday; Changing Roles for a Once-Empty Landmark |date=October 23, 1994 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 14, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526105435/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/23/realestate/postings-museum-american-indian-open-next-sunday-changing-roles-for-once-empty.html |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> They cleaned, restored, and conserved exterior and ceremonial interior spaces. The restoration architects renovated old office space into federal courtrooms and ancillary offices; rental offices and meeting rooms; and a 350-seat auditorium. The building's fire-safety, security, telecommunications, and [[heating, ventilation, and air conditioning]] systems were also upgraded.<ref name="nhlsum" /> |
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==== Museum operation ==== |
==== Museum operation ==== |
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By early 1987, Moynihan was proposing legislation that would turn over the building to the Museum of the American Indian (later the George Gustav Heye Center), which at the time occupied [[Audubon Terrace]] in [[Upper Manhattan]]. This led to opposition from the [[American Indian Community House]], which wished to occupy a part of the Custom House, and which argued that the museum was run mostly by non-Indians.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Douglas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/05/nyregion/indians-quarrel-over-custom-house.html |title=Indians Quarrel Over Custom House |date=February 5, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108171301/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/05/nyregion/indians-quarrel-over-custom-house.html |archive-date=November 8, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the Museum of the American Indian wished to relocate because its Upper Manhattan facility was insufficient, and the Custom House was being offered as an alternative for the museum's possible relocation to Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Thomas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/17/nyregion/fast-action-urged-for-indian-museum.html |title=Fast Action Urged for Indian Museum |date=July 17, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101140153/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/17/nyregion/fast-action-urged-for-indian-museum.html |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Robert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49065328/ |title=City losing its Indian museum? |date=July 17, 1940 |work= |
By early 1987, Moynihan was proposing legislation that would turn over the building to the Museum of the American Indian (later the George Gustav Heye Center), which at the time occupied [[Audubon Terrace]] in [[Upper Manhattan]]. This led to opposition from the [[American Indian Community House]], which wished to occupy a part of the Custom House, and which argued that the museum was run mostly by non-Indians.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Douglas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/05/nyregion/indians-quarrel-over-custom-house.html |title=Indians Quarrel Over Custom House |date=February 5, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108171301/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/05/nyregion/indians-quarrel-over-custom-house.html |archive-date=November 8, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the Museum of the American Indian wished to relocate because its Upper Manhattan facility was insufficient, and the Custom House was being offered as an alternative for the museum's possible relocation to Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Thomas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/17/nyregion/fast-action-urged-for-indian-museum.html |title=Fast Action Urged for Indian Museum |date=July 17, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101140153/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/17/nyregion/fast-action-urged-for-indian-museum.html |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Robert |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49065328/ |title=City losing its Indian museum? |date=July 17, 1940 |work=Daily News |location=New York |issn=2692-1251 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |page=139 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> U.S. Senator [[Daniel Inouye]] introduced the [[National Museum of the American Indian Act]] the next month, which would have brought the collection to Washington, D.C., instead.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molotsky |first=Irvin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/30/nyregion/inouye-seeks-to-move-indian-museum-to-capital.html |title=Inouye Seeks to Move Indian Museum to Capital |date=September 30, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101114841/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/30/nyregion/inouye-seeks-to-move-indian-museum-to-capital.html |archive-date=November 1, 2017}}</ref> A compromise was reached in 1988, in which the [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian]] would build the [[National Museum of the American Indian]] in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian would also acquire the Heye collection, which it would continue to operate in New York City at the Custom House.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molotsky |first=Irvin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/13/nyregion/compromise-is-reached-to-keep-indian-museum-in-new-york-city.html |title=Compromise Is Reached to Keep Indian Museum in New York City |date=April 13, 1988 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525084547/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/13/nyregion/compromise-is-reached-to-keep-indian-museum-in-new-york-city.html |archive-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49068170/ |title=Compromise would keep Indian Museum in NYC |date=April 13, 1988 |work=White Plains Journal-News |access-date=April 17, 2020 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The act was passed in 1989.<ref>{{Cite act |date=November 28, 1989 |article=101-185 |article-type=Public Law |legislature=101st United States Congress |title=An act to establish the National Museum of the American Indian within the Smithsonian Institution, and for other purposes |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-103/pdf/STATUTE-103-Pg1336.pdf#page=1 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804151535/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-103/pdf/STATUTE-103-Pg1336.pdf#page=1 |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |url-status=live }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804151535/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-103/pdf/STATUTE-103-Pg1336.pdf#page=1 |date=August 4, 2019 }}</ref> |
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In 1990, the building was officially renamed after [[Alexander Hamilton]], the first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]], by act of Congress.<ref>{{Cite act |date=October 24, 1990 |article=101-456 |article-type=Public Law |legislature=101st United States Congress |title=An act to redesignate the Federal building located at 1 Bowling Green in New York, New York, as the 'Alexander Hamilton United States Custom House' |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1068.pdf }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418120929/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1068.pdf |date=April 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49068720/ |title=Custom name |date=October 18, 1990 |work= |
In 1990, the building was officially renamed after [[Alexander Hamilton]], the first [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]], by act of Congress.<ref>{{Cite act |date=October 24, 1990 |article=101-456 |article-type=Public Law |legislature=101st United States Congress |title=An act to redesignate the Federal building located at 1 Bowling Green in New York, New York, as the 'Alexander Hamilton United States Custom House' |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1068.pdf }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418120929/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1068.pdf |date=April 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49068720/ |title=Custom name |date=October 18, 1990 |work=Daily News|location=New York |issn=2692-1251 |access-date=April 19, 2020 |page=45 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The George Gustav Heye Center's space in the Custom House opened for previews in November 1992,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reif |first=Rita |date=1992-11-15 |title=Museum Displays Indian Artifacts |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/15/nyregion/museum-displays-indian-artifacts.html |access-date=2022-08-13 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p398384134">{{cite news |last=Gamerman |first=Amy |date=17 Nov 1992 |title=Indian Museum Takes Shelter in Beaux-Arts Walkup |page=A16 |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|398384134}}}}</ref> and it formally opened in October 1994.<ref name="nyt19941023" /> At that time, most of the space had been closed for 20 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Ashley |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/nyregion/a-heritage-reclaimed-from-old-artifacts-american-indians-shape-a-new-museum.html |title=A Heritage Reclaimed; From Old Artifacts, American Indians Shape a New Museum |date=October 9, 1994 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205045536/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/nyregion/a-heritage-reclaimed-from-old-artifacts-american-indians-shape-a-new-museum.html |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Heye Center occupied the three lower stories, while the [[United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York]] occupied two additional stories.<ref name="nyt19941023" /> One of the Bankruptcy Court's rooms on the fifth floor, known as the Eastern Airlines Room, had been renovated to accommodate bankruptcy hearings for large companies such as [[Eastern Air Lines]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Andrews|first=Edmund L.|date=1992-02-03|title=Crash-Landing Zone; The Bankruptcy Court for Highfliers|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/03/nyregion/crash-landing-zone-the-bankruptcy-court-for-highfliers.html|access-date=2022-08-13|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The other two stories were unoccupied and had not been renovated, but the GSA planned to renovate the vacant stories.<ref name="nyt19941023" /> |
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The museum and building were mostly undamaged by the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, but airborne debris from the [[collapse of the World Trade Center]] had to be cleared from some of the interior spaces.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Quay|Damico|2010|page=265}}</ref> The Heye Center's exhibition and public access areas originally totaled about {{Convert| |
The museum and building were mostly undamaged by the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, but airborne debris from the [[collapse of the World Trade Center]] had to be cleared from some of the interior spaces.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Quay|Damico|2010|page=265}}</ref> The Heye Center's exhibition and public access areas originally totaled about {{Convert|20000|ft2||abbr=}}.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shenon |first=Philip |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/travel/travel-advisory-correspondent-s-report-a-showcase-for-indian-artifacts.html |title=Travel Advisory: Correspondent's Report; A Showcase for Indian Artifacts |date=August 29, 2004 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |url-status=live |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528062442/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/travel/travel-advisory-correspondent-s-report-a-showcase-for-indian-artifacts.html |archive-date=May 28, 2015}}</ref> The museum expanded into part of the ground floor in 2006.<ref name="nyt20060811" /> Six years later, the [[National Archives and Records Administration]] offices in New York moved to the Custom House.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/national-archives-in-new-york-will-move-to-custom-house/ |title=National Archives in New York to Move to Custom House |last=Lee |first=Felicia R. |date=September 14, 2012 |website=ArtsBeat |language=en-US |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203112225/https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/national-archives-in-new-york-will-move-to-custom-house/ |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] owns the Custom House.<ref name="ZoLa_1">{{Cite web |title=1 Bowling Green, 10004 |url=https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/l/lot/1/12/1 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |publisher=[[New York City Department of City Planning]] }}</ref> In addition, the building contains the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York<ref name="United States Bankruptcy Court 2003">{{cite web |date=December 1, 2003 |title=Manhattan |url=https://www.nysb.uscourts.gov/content/manhattan |access-date=August 13, 2022 |publisher=[[United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York]]}}</ref> and offices for the [[United States Department of Transportation]].<ref name="GSA 2019" /> |
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Gilbert stated that during the design process, a tall dome was suggested in order to make the building into a "landmark" but that "this would wholly destroy the proportions of the building per se, and as a matter of plan, seriously impair its practical usefulness".<ref name="Inland Architect p. 7" /> Gilbert suggested that a {{Convert|400|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} storage tower would be more appropriate if a "landmark" was necessitated, but that such a tower "would add considerably to the cost".<ref name="Inland Architect p. 7" /> |
Gilbert stated that during the design process, a tall dome was suggested in order to make the building into a "landmark" but that "this would wholly destroy the proportions of the building per se, and as a matter of plan, seriously impair its practical usefulness".<ref name="Inland Architect p. 7" /> Gilbert suggested that a {{Convert|400|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} storage tower would be more appropriate if a "landmark" was necessitated, but that such a tower "would add considerably to the cost".<ref name="Inland Architect p. 7" /> |
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From the start, the Alexander Hamilton Custom House was architecturally distinguished from other buildings in the area. ''The New York Times'' said in 1906 that "it is the unity of idea embodied in the new Custom House and enforced by the wealth of sculpture with which it is embellished, more than its mere costliness, that gives to the edifice its unique value".<ref name="nyt19060114" /> A ''Times'' editorial the same year said that, despite the federal government's initial reluctance to decorate the Custom House lavishly, "few recall the money sunk into stone, bricks and mortar; they enjoy the final touches inside on which millions were not squandered".<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/10/07/archives/decorations-for-the-customs-house.html |title=Decorations for the Customs House. |date=October 7, 1906 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal'' wrote in 1914 that the Custom House "represents the national Government in its economic bases and financial life".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49002905/ |title=New York Real Estate in the Financial District |date=October 10, 1914 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |via= |
From the start, the Alexander Hamilton Custom House was architecturally distinguished from other buildings in the area. ''The New York Times'' said in 1906 that "it is the unity of idea embodied in the new Custom House and enforced by the wealth of sculpture with which it is embellished, more than its mere costliness, that gives to the edifice its unique value".<ref name="nyt19060114" /> A ''Times'' editorial the same year said that, despite the federal government's initial reluctance to decorate the Custom House lavishly, "few recall the money sunk into stone, bricks and mortar; they enjoy the final touches inside on which millions were not squandered".<ref name="NYCL p. 5" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1906/10/07/archives/decorations-for-the-customs-house.html |title=Decorations for the Customs House. |date=October 7, 1906 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal'' wrote in 1914 that the Custom House "represents the national Government in its economic bases and financial life".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49002905/ |title=New York Real Estate in the Financial District |date=October 10, 1914 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=April 18, 2020 |page=7 |issn=0099-9660 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |
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Acclaim for the building continued in the decades after its completion. Architectural writer [[Henry Hope Reed Jr.]] regarded the Custom House in 1964 as "the finest public building in New York".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/20/archives/art-flourishes-in-old-buildings-turnofcentury-creations-abundant.html |title=Art Flourishes in Old Buildings; Turn‐of‐Century Creations Abundant Downtown |date=April 20, 1964 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404232213/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/20/archives/art-flourishes-in-old-buildings-turnofcentury-creations-abundant.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When the U.S. Customs Service relocated in 1973, [[Ada Louise Huxtable]] wrote that 6 World Trade Center's "functional, featureless grid" contrasted with the "splendor" of the Alexander Hamilton Custom House.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Huxtable |first=Ada Louise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/04/archives/new-custom-house-modern-functional-no-match-for-the-old-the.html |title=New Custom House: Modern, Functional, No Match for the Old |date=October 4, 1973 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Architectural writer [[Robert A. M. Stern]] stated in his 1983 book ''New York 1900'' that the Custom House and the [[Ellis Island]] immigration station were the two structures that reinforced New York City's role as "the leading American metropolis, representative of America's role in the world".<ref name="Stern (1983) p. 74" /> |
Acclaim for the building continued in the decades after its completion. Architectural writer [[Henry Hope Reed Jr.]] regarded the Custom House in 1964 as "the finest public building in New York".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/20/archives/art-flourishes-in-old-buildings-turnofcentury-creations-abundant.html |title=Art Flourishes in Old Buildings; Turn‐of‐Century Creations Abundant Downtown |date=April 20, 1964 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404232213/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/20/archives/art-flourishes-in-old-buildings-turnofcentury-creations-abundant.html |url-status=live }}</ref> When the U.S. Customs Service relocated in 1973, [[Ada Louise Huxtable]] wrote that 6 World Trade Center's "functional, featureless grid" contrasted with the "splendor" of the Alexander Hamilton Custom House.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Huxtable |first=Ada Louise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/04/archives/new-custom-house-modern-functional-no-match-for-the-old-the.html |title=New Custom House: Modern, Functional, No Match for the Old |date=October 4, 1973 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Architectural writer [[Robert A. M. Stern]] stated in his 1983 book ''New York 1900'' that the Custom House and the [[Ellis Island]] immigration station were the two structures that reinforced New York City's role as "the leading American metropolis, representative of America's role in the world".<ref name="Stern (1983) p. 74" /> |
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The Custom House was one of the earliest designations of the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]], becoming an official exterior landmark in October 1965,<ref name="NYCL-0020">{{cite report |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0020.pdf |title=United States Custom House |date=October 14, 1965 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226200709/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0020.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> six months after the commission's founding.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/new-york-city-landmarks-law/ |title=New York City Landmarks Law |publisher=The New York Preservation Archive Project |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421004352/http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/new-york-city-landmarks-law/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the exterior designation, the commission said that "At some time in the future this building may be in jeopardy", since the federal government had doubted whether the Custom House should be made a city landmark.<ref name="NYCL-0020" /> The Custom House's interior was also designated an official city landmark in January 1979.<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fowler|first=Glenn|date=January 10, 1979|title=Its Status Is More Than Token: Subway Kiosk Now Landmark|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/10/archives/its-status-is-more-than-token-subway-kiosk-now-landmark-beauxarts.html|access-date=May 15, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The building was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1972, the designation covering both its exterior and public interior spaces. The site was also declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1976.<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1248&ResourceType=Building |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605233855/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1248&ResourceType=Building |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |title=United States Custom House (New York) |date=September 13, 2007 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url |id=72000889}} |first=Carolyn |last=Pitts|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: United States Custom House |date=August 1976|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url |id=72000889 |photos=y}} |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: United States Custom House--Accompanying photos, exterior and interior.|date=August 1976|publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref> In 2007, it was designated as a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]],<ref>{{cite web |date=February 20, 2007 |title=Wall Street Historic District |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/07000063.pdf |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places |
The Custom House was one of the earliest designations of the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]], becoming an official exterior landmark in October 1965,<ref name="NYCL-0020">{{cite report |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0020.pdf |title=United States Custom House |date=October 14, 1965 |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226200709/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0020.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> six months after the commission's founding.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/new-york-city-landmarks-law/ |title=New York City Landmarks Law |publisher=The New York Preservation Archive Project |access-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421004352/http://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/new-york-city-landmarks-law/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the exterior designation, the commission said that "At some time in the future this building may be in jeopardy", since the federal government had doubted whether the Custom House should be made a city landmark.<ref name="NYCL-0020" /> The Custom House's interior was also designated an official city landmark in January 1979.<ref name="NYCL p. 1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fowler|first=Glenn|date=January 10, 1979|title=Its Status Is More Than Token: Subway Kiosk Now Landmark|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/10/archives/its-status-is-more-than-token-subway-kiosk-now-landmark-beauxarts.html|access-date=May 15, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The building was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1972, the designation covering both its exterior and public interior spaces. The site was also declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1976.<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1248&ResourceType=Building |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605233855/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1248&ResourceType=Building |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |title=United States Custom House (New York) |date=September 13, 2007 |work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url |id=72000889}} |first=Carolyn |last=Pitts|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: United States Custom House |date=August 1976|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url |id=72000889 |photos=y}} |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory: United States Custom House--Accompanying photos, exterior and interior.|date=August 1976|publisher=[[National Park Service]]}}</ref> In 2007, it was designated as a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]],<ref>{{cite web |date=February 20, 2007 |title=Wall Street Historic District |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/07000063.pdf |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]] |access-date=February 9, 2021 |pages=4–5 }}</ref> a NRHP district.<ref name="nris_2007">{{cite web |year=2007 |title=National Register of Historic Places 2007 Weekly Lists |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |access-date=July 20, 2020 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |page=65 |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228214611/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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=== Notes === |
=== Notes === |
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=== Sources === |
=== Sources === |
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* {{cite magazine | |
* {{cite magazine |year=1900 |title=Cass Gilbert's New York Customhouse Design |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015007566121?urlappend=%3Bseq=27 |journal=The Inland Architect and News Record |volume=35 |pages=6–7 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015007566121?urlappend=%3Bseq=27 |ref={{harvid|Inland Architect|1900}}|via=HathiTrust}} |
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* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRMbAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA98 |title=Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York |publisher=New York State Legislature |year=1914 |issue=v. 35 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312124701/https://books.google.com/books?id=CRMbAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA98 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |url-status=live |ref=CITEREFNew_York_State_Legislature1914}} |
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRMbAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA98 |title=Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York |publisher=New York State Legislature |year=1914 |issue=v. 35 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312124701/https://books.google.com/books?id=CRMbAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA98 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |url-status=live |ref=CITEREFNew_York_State_Legislature1914}} |
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* {{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sywxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA32-IA89 |title=Government Buildings|magazine=Architecture and Building: A Journal of Investment and Construction |date=February 25, 1888 |page=40 |issue=v. 8|ref={{harvid|''Architecture and Building''|1888 }}}} |
* {{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sywxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA32-IA89 |title=Government Buildings|magazine=Architecture and Building: A Journal of Investment and Construction |date=February 25, 1888 |page=40 |issue=v. 8|ref={{harvid|''Architecture and Building''|1888 }}}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{Commons category|Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House}} |
{{Commons category|Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House}} |
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* {{Official website|https://www.gsa.gov/historic-buildings/alexander-hamilton-us-custom-house-new-york-ny}} GSA: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House |
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* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.gsa.historic.newyork.1|name=Years of Grandeur: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York, NY (2007)}} |
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.gsa.historic.newyork.1|name=Years of Grandeur: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York, NY (2007)}} |
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* [https://collections.mcny.org/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MNYO28_9&PID=24UPN47LWCB&P=1 "Reginald Marsh's Custom House Murals"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923101908/https://collections.mcny.org/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MNYO28_9&PID=24UPN47LWCB&P=1 |date=September 23, 2020 }}, [[Museum of the City of New York]] |
* [https://collections.mcny.org/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MNYO28_9&PID=24UPN47LWCB&P=1 "Reginald Marsh's Custom House Murals"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923101908/https://collections.mcny.org/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MNYO28_9&PID=24UPN47LWCB&P=1 |date=September 23, 2020 }}, [[Museum of the City of New York]] |
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[[Category:Alexander Hamilton|U.S. Custom House]] |
Revision as of 20:12, 8 October 2022
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House | |
NYC Landmark No. 0020, 1022
| |
![]() The northern (left) and western (right) facades of the Custom House in 2021 | |
![]() | |
Location | 1 Bowling Green Manhattan, New York City |
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Coordinates | 40°42′15″N 74°00′49″W / 40.70417°N 74.01361°W |
Built | 1901–1907 |
Architect | Cass Gilbert |
Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
Part of | Wall Street Historic District (ID07000063) |
NRHP reference No. | 72000889[1] |
NYCL No. | 0020, 1022 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | January 31, 1972 |
Designated NHL | December 8, 1976[1] |
Designated NYCL | October 14, 1965 (exterior), January 9, 1979 (interior)[2][3] |
The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House (originally the New York Custom House) is a former custom house, a government building, and a museum at 1 Bowling Green, near the southern end of Manhattan in New York City, United States. Designed by Cass Gilbert in the Beaux-Arts style, it was erected from 1902 to 1907 by the U.S. government as a headquarters for the Port of New York's duty collection operations. The building contains the George Gustav Heye Center museum, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, and the New York regional offices of the National Archives. The facade and part of the interior are New York City designated landmarks, and the building is a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is also a contributing property to the Wall Street Historic District, listed on the NRHP.
The Custom House is a seven-story steel-framed structure with a stone facade and elaborate interiors. The exterior is decorated with nautical motifs as well as sculptures by twelve artists. The second through fourth stories contain colonnades with Corinthian columns. The main entrance consists of a grand staircase flanked by Four Continents, a set of four statues by Daniel Chester French. The second-story entrance vestibule leads to a transverse lobby, a rotunda, and offices. The rotunda includes a skylight and ceiling murals by Reginald Marsh. The George Gustav Heye Center, a branch of the National Museum of the American Indian, operates within the ground and second stories, while the upper stories contain offices for the U.S. government.
The building was proposed in 1889 as a replacement for the previous New York Custom House at 55 Wall Street. Due to various disagreements, the Bowling Green Custom House was not approved until 1899; Gilbert was selected as architect following a competition. The building opened in 1907, and the murals in the rotunda were added in 1938 during a Works Progress Administration project. The United States Customs Service moved out of the building in 1974, and it remained vacant for over a decade until renovations in the late 1980s. The Custom House was renamed in 1990 to commemorate Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and its first Secretary of the Treasury. The Heye Center opened in 1994.
Site
The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House occupies a trapezoidal plot bounded by Bowling Green to the north, Whitehall Street to the east, Bridge Street to the south, and State Street to the west.[4][5][6] The Whitehall Street and State Street elevations are 300 feet (90 m) wide; the main elevation on Bowling Green is 200 feet (60 m) wide; and the rear elevation on Bridge Street is 290 feet (88 m) wide.[7] Nearby buildings include the International Mercantile Marine Company Building and the Bowling Green Offices Building to the northwest, 26 Broadway to the northeast, 2 Broadway to the east, and One Battery Park Plaza to the south.[4]
There are entrances to two New York City Subway stations immediately outside the Custom House. An entrance to the Whitehall Street station is adjacent to the eastern side of the building, while an entrance to the Bowling Green station is to the north.[8] The building occupies the site of Fort Amsterdam, constructed by the Dutch West India Company to defend their operations in the Hudson Valley. The Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, the precursor to modern-day New York City, was developed around the fort. Bowling Green, immediately to the north, is the oldest park in New York City.[9][10] The Government House occupied the site in the late 18th century before its demolition in 1815.[11] The houses of several wealthy New Yorkers were subsequently developed at that location.[12]
Architecture
The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is seven stories high with a stone facade and an interior steel frame. It was designed by Cass Gilbert in the Beaux-Arts style.[2][13][14] The design is similar to those of previous custom houses in New York City, namely Ithiel Town's Federal Hall at 26 Wall Street and Isaiah Rogers's Merchants' Exchange building at 55 Wall Street.[3]
The building's design incorporates Beaux-Arts and City Beautiful planning principles, combining architecture, engineering, and fine arts.[9] Gilbert had written in 1900 about his plans for a wide-ranging, site-specific decorative program, which would "illustrate the commerce of ancient and modern times, both by land and sea".[15][16] Sculptures, paintings, and decorations by well-known artists of the time, such as Daniel Chester French, Karl Bitter, Louis Saint-Gaudens, and Albert Jaegers, embellish various portions of the interior and exterior.[9][17]
Facade
Unlike most custom houses, which face the waterfront, the Alexander Hamilton Custom House faces inland toward Bowling Green. Its main entrance is on the northern facade, the only side that does not overlook the Lower Manhattan waterfront.[13][18] The exterior is decorated throughout with nautical motifs such as dolphins and waves, interspersed with classical icons such as acanthus leaves and urns.[19]
The first-floor facade is composed of rusticated blocks[13] and is 20 feet (6.1 m) tall.[7] There are six entrances to the building.[7][15][20] The main entrance is on the northern elevation, where a wide stairway leads to the second floor.[13] Under the main entrance arch is a carving of the municipal arms of the city of New York.[17][21] The keystone at the top of the arch depicts the head of Columbia, the female personification of the United States, and was designed by Vicenzo Albani.[21] Andrew O'Connor created a cartouche for the space above the main entrance.[21][22] The lintel above the main entrance, quarried in Maine, weighed 50 short tons (45 metric tons) and measured 30 by 8 feet (9.1 by 2.4 m).[23]
The second through fourth stories contain engaged columns in the Corinthian style; some of these columns are paired while the others are single.[13][24] There are 44 columns in total: twelve each on the north, east, and west elevations and eight on the south elevation.[25] The second story is the piano nobile; the windows on this story are flanked by brackets and capped by enclosed pediments, with carved heads above them (see § Sculptures). The third- and fourth-story windows, conversely, are less ornately decorated; this was normal for Beaux-Arts buildings, which generally had greater detailing on the more visible lower levels.[13] The lintels above the third-story windows are decorated with wave motifs, while those above the fourth floor depict shells.[19] The center portion of the Bridge Street facade reaches only to the third story.[7]
The fifth-story facade consists of a full-story entablature with a frieze and short rectangular windows.[13][26] The sixth story is directly above it, while the seventh story consists of a red-slate mansard roof with dormer windows and copper cresting.[13][24] The mansard roof is extremely steep, allowing the seventh-story attic to be designed as a full floor of usable space.[24]
Sculptures
Twelve sculptors were hired to create the figural groups on the exterior.[17] The major work flanking the front steps, the Four Continents, was contracted to Daniel Chester French, who designed the sculptures with associate Adolph A. Weinman.[2][18][27] The work was made of marble[28] and sculpted by the Piccirilli brothers;[16][29][30] each sculptural group cost $13,500 (equivalent to $322,392 in 2023[a]).[16] From east to west, the statues depict larger-than-life-size personifications of Asia, America, Europe, and Africa.[9][19][28] The primary figure of each group is a woman and is flanked by smaller human figures. In addition, Asia's figure is paired with a tiger and Africa's figure is paired with a lion.[28][31]
The capitals of each of the 44 columns are decorated with carved heads depicting Hermes, the Greek god of commerce.[20][25][32] The windows on the main facade are topped by eight keystones, which contain carved heads with depictions of eight human races.[2][13][19] One source described the keystones as representing "Caucasian, Hindu, Latin, Celt and Mongol, Italian, African, Eskimo, and even the Coureur de Bois".[20]
Above the main cornice are a group of standing sculptures that personify seafaring nations. There are twelve such statues, which depict commercial hubs through both ancient and modern history.[2][13][17] Each sculpture is 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and weighs 20 short tons (18 metric tons).[25] These sculptures are arranged in chronological sequence from east to west, or from left to right as seen from directly in front of the building. The easternmost sculptures are of ancient Greece and Rome, while the westernmost sculptures are of the more recent French and British empires.[17][33] Eight sculptors were commissioned for this work.[17][34] One of these sculptures, Germania by Albert Jaegers, was modified in 1918 to display Belgian insignia rather than German insignia.[35][36] Bitter created a cartouche of the United States' coat of arms for the roof.[20][22][21]
Interior
A barrel-vaulted entrance vestibule, supported by marble columns and decorated with multicolored mosaics, is just inside the entrance. Behind bronze gates is a passageway to the Great Hall.[13] At the center of the building is a double-height rotunda, rising to the third story.[7][15] Stairways, made of marble with iron handrails, connect the interior spaces.[15] There are elevators in each corner;[7][15] the southwestern and southeastern banks contain two elevators each, while the northwestern and northeastern banks have three elevators apiece.[26] The northwestern and northeastern elevators were originally open cages but were replaced with enclosed cabs in 1935.[37]
Because the original appropriation was limited in scope, decorative elements in the initial construction were limited to several important rooms, including the rotundas, hallways, lobby, and collector's office.[22][25] These spaces have marble walls in multiple hues, while nautical motifs are placed in numerous locations.[25]
Second floor
The second-floor ceiling is generally 23 feet (7.0 m) tall.[38] This floor consists of the former office spaces in the front and rear, the transverse lobby, and the rotunda.[22] Gilbert planned the Custom House's interior so "all entrances, corridors, stairways and passages [were] arranged on the most direct and simple axial lines".[22][39] The second-floor space, including the former offices, is almost entirely occupied by the Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian.[40]
Transverse lobby
The transverse lobby spans the northern end of the second floor from west to east. Generally, the more important offices were positioned north of the lobby, while divisions dealing in more routine work were relegated to the south.[22][26] Following the second floor's conversion into the Heye Center, the former back offices have been occupied by various exhibition galleries, while the front offices house the museum store and a future café space.[40]
Membrane arches divide the lobby into five bays.[37] The floors are decorated in marble mosaic patterns. An entablature runs around the top of the lobby, with galleries on the third story.[26][41] There are two doorways on the walls, each topped by carved architraves with nautical symbols.[42][43] The doors from the lobby to the former offices are made of varnished oak and stippled glass.[44] At the center of the lobby is a three-bay-wide foyer with a pair of round arches to the north and south, which are supplemented by green Doric-style marble columns with white capitals.[22][37] The bays of the foyer are separated by marble piers.[22] Three bronze lanterns are suspended from the vaulted ceiling,[26][37][41] hanging above a red-marble disc on the floor. Elmer E. Garnsey designed murals for the ceiling.[37]
Semicircular staircases, with bronze railings and marble stair treads, flank the lobby.[13][22][26] The stairs do not have any metal support structures and are composed entirely of flat, hard-burned clay tiles.[45] Under each stair are timbrel vaults, which connect each landing. The stairs rise to the seventh floor, which contains a skylight that is meant to evoke the design of a ship's cabin.[37] Only the western stair between the first and second floors is open to the public.[40] The elevator doors in the lobby are topped by bronze transom grilles that depict a caravel or sailing ship.[37]
Offices and rotunda
The collector's office is at the northwestern corner of the second floor.[26][40][46] The office contains elaborate hardwood floors and oak wainscoting designed by Tiffany Studios.[13][46] Garnsey painted ten oil paintings, which are installed above the wainscoting.[46][47] Each painting contains a gold frame and depicts a Dutch or English port in the New World.[47] The office also included a stone fireplace mantel with a plaque referencing Fort Amsterdam and the Government House.[48][49][42] The coffered plaster ceiling has molded decorations, including a motif of the collector's monogram.[46][48] Fourteen lighting fixtures, covered in gold leaf, hang from the ceiling.[50] The room is normally closed to the public but can be rented for events.[51]
The manager's office is next to the collector's office and is decorated with plain plaster walls, topped by a cornice in the Ionic order.[42][43] The northeastern corner contained the cashier's office, which contained a white-marble countertop with a bronze screen.[48][42] The southern half of the cashier's room has white-marble walls and was originally where members of the public conducted their transactions. The northern half, where the cashiers themselves worked, has plaster walls.[42][43] The ornate plasterwork ceiling is decorated to resemble Renaissance "boxed beams",[42] while the marble floor has a geometric border.[43] The former cashier's office has been incorporated into the Heye Center's museum store.[40]
The elliptical rotunda, within the building's interior courtyard, measures 85 by 135 feet (26 by 41 m)[41][52] and rises to the third story.[13] The walls and floors are composed of geometric marble tiles in several hues.[6][22] The ceiling is self-supporting, without any interior metal structure; it uses the Guastavino tile arch system created by Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino. It consists of numerous layers of fireproof tiles,[b] each of which measures 6 by 12 inches (15 cm × 30 cm) across and 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. The tiles and layers are bonded using Portland cement.[41][53] The center of the ceiling is occupied by a 140-short-ton (130-metric-ton) oval skylight.[6][41][53] The underside of the ceiling contains eight trapezoidal panels, as well as eight long, narrow panels between them.[52][54] The panels contain fresco-secco murals, which were painted in 1937 by Reginald Marsh and eight assistants as part of the Treasury Relief Art Project.[55][56][57][c] The larger murals portray shipping activity in the Port of New York and New Jersey, while the smaller murals depict notable explorers of the New World and the Port of New York.[54] The rotunda can be rented for special events.[51]
- Rotunda murals
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From left: Explorer Hudson, SS Washington Passing Ambrose Lightship, Explorer Block
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Picking Up the Pilot
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From left: Explorer Verrazano, Coast Guard Cutter Calumet Meeting the SS Washington, Explorer Columbus
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Customs Officials Boarding Liner
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Passing the Statue of Liberty
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The Press Interviewing a Celebrity
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Unloading Cargo
Other stories
The ground story is 20 feet (6.1 m) tall.[20] The Bowling Green post office, operated by the United States Postal Service, was formerly near the building's south end. The post office was located around a west-east corridor accessed by both State and Whitehall Streets.[15][58] There are also two ramps for delivery vehicles.[15] The floor surface, wainscoting, and pilasters are made of marble, and the ceilings are 17 feet (5.2 m) high. When the post office was in operation, mail arrived through the delivery docks and was sorted in the basement.[58] About 6,000 square feet (560 m2) of storage space on the ground floor, under the rotunda, was converted into the George Gustav Heye Center's Diker Pavilion for Native Arts and Cultures in 2006. This pavilion consists of a slightly-sloped circular space seating 400 people, surrounding a maple dance floor.[59]
The upper stories contain office space. The outer portion of the fifth story was initially used for document storage; the windows are small apertures within the entablature, making that story unsuitable for office use.[38] The ceilings of the upper stories are between 12 and 16 feet (3.7 and 4.9 m) tall.[20]
History
The United States Customs Service had been formed in 1789 with the passage of the Tariff Act, which authorized the collection of duties on imported goods.[60] The Port of New York was the primary port of entry for goods reaching the United States in the 19th century and, as such, the New York Custom House was the country's most profitable custom house.[61] Import taxes were a major revenue stream for the federal government before a national income tax was implemented in 1913 with the passage of the 16th Amendment.[60][62] The New York Custom House had supplied two-thirds of the federal government's revenue at one point.[62] Because the salary of the collector was tied to the custom house's revenue, the New York Custom House's collector earned more than the U.S. president, and the position was extremely powerful.[61][63]
![Black-and-white sketch of the Merchants' Exchange Building](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/NYCustomHouseMerchantsExchange.jpg/220px-NYCustomHouseMerchantsExchange.jpg)
The New York Custom House had occupied several sites in Lower Manhattan before the Alexander Hamilton Custom House was built.[5][61] The first such house was established in 1790 at South William Street.[64] The custom house moved to the Government House on the site of Fort Amsterdam in 1799.[9][65] The customs service relocated numerous times in the 19th century before opening an office at 55 Wall Street in 1862.[66] The Wall Street location had been optimal during the mid-19th century because it was close to the Subtreasury at 26 Wall Street, thereby making it easy to transport gold.[61]
Planning and construction
In February 1888, William J. Fryer Jr., superintendent of repairs of New York City's federal government buildings, wrote to the United States Department of the Treasury's Supervising Architect about the "old, damp, ill-lighted, badly ventilated" quarters at 55 Wall Street.[61][67] Architecture and Building magazine called the letter "worthy of thoughtful investigation".[68] The 55 Wall Street building's proximity to the Subtreasury was no longer advantageous, as it was easier to use a check or certificate to make payments on revenue.[61] On September 14, 1888, Congress passed an act that would allow site selection for a new custom house and appraiser's warehouse.[69] Soon after, Fryer presented his report to the New York State Chamber of Commerce.[67] The Chamber said in 1889: "We have not seriously considered the removal of the present Custom House proper, since it is well located, and, if found inadequate, can easily be easily be enlarged to meet all the wants of the Government for an indefinite time to come."[70]
Site selection
Fryer recommended Bowling Green as his first preference for a new custom house, followed by a site immediately south, along State Street north of Battery Park.[71] In September 1889, Treasury secretary William Windom selected Bowling Green as the new site of the custom house and appraiser's warehouse.[72] Almost immediately, problems arose with the selection: Windom was accused of exceeding his authority in selecting the new site,[69] city businessmen opposed moving the custom house,[73] and a judge ruled in 1891 that the federal government could not take the Bowling Green site by eminent domain as it had proposed to do.[74] A bill to acquire land for a new New York City custom house and sell the old building was passed in both houses of the U.S. Congress in early 1891.[75]
The federal government appointed three commissioners to appraise the cost of acquiring land at Bowling Green; in July 1892, the appraisers estimated that the site would cost $1.96 million (about $59 million in 2023[a]).[76] Still, in January 1893, there was not enough money to purchase the lots at Bowling Green. The lessees and landowners were supposed to receive $2.1 million (equivalent to $64 million in 2023), but there was only $1.5 million on hand (equivalent to $46 million in 2023[a]). The 1891 bill had allowed up to $2 million for land acquisition and had required that the previous building be sold for at least $4 million.[77][78] No progress was made until 1897, when a further appropriation was proposed.[79] The proposed disbursements that would have gone to the landowners instead remained in the Treasury.[78][80] An alternate site in the West Village was chosen for the appraiser's warehouse.[80]
Competition and site acquisition
Architectural writer Donald Reynolds stated that the new custom house was to be as modern as possible, with "an architectural style that embodied the tradition of the customs service, the federal government, and the United States with the latest building technology".[81] The Tarsney Act, passed in 1893, permitted the Supervising Architect to host a competition to hire private architects to design federal-government buildings. However, the act did not take effect until Treasury secretary Lyman J. Gage took office in 1897.[82] Furthermore, it was difficult for the federal government to sell the old building for the required price of $4 million (about $121 million in 2023[a]).[83] The new New York Custom House was only the fourth building to be built under the Tarsney Act.[82]
Republican Party officials wished to have complete control over spending for the new custom house building.[61] Originally, the Chamber of Commerce and many business interests advocated for erecting a new custom house on the Wall Street site, even though it was less than half the size of the proposed Bowling Green site.[78] In 1897, Senator Thomas C. Platt and Representative Lemuel E. Quigg, both Republicans, proposed bills in the United States Senate and House of Representatives for building a new custom house at Wall Street, with Platt's bill calling for a five-person commission to oversee the process.[84] The bills died at the end of the 54th United States Congress in March 1897.[85] During the 55th Congress in February 1898, legislation for the acquisition of the Bowling Green site was again proposed in the U.S. House and Senate, providing $5 million (about $156 million in 2023[a]) for land acquisition and construction.[78] The U.S. House and Senate passed the Bowling Green bills the next year.[86][87] At the time, most of the structures on the site were three-story houses used by steamship offices;[16] by April, agreements had been made with most of the sixteen landowners.[80][88] The federal government disbursed $2.2 million (about $68 million in 2023[a]) to landowners at the Bowling Green site that June.[89] Two months later, the old Custom House was sold for $3.21 million (about $99 million in 2023[a]).[90]
Twenty firms were invited in May 1899 to submit designs to the competition under the terms of the Tarsney Act.[82][91] The government stipulated that any plan include a ground-level basement and up to six stories, as well as a southward-facing light court above the third story.[92] A committee of three men was appointed to look over the submissions.[82] By September 1899, there were two finalists: architecture firm Carrere & Hastings and architect Cass Gilbert.[5][93][94] After a plan for the two finalists to collaborate failed,[82] Supervising Architect James Knox Taylor picked Gilbert, who had been his partner at the Gilbert & Taylor architecture firm in St. Paul, Minnesota.[95] The selection of Gilbert was controversial, drawing opposition from Platt and several groups.[96][97] Some of the opposition centered around the fact that Gilbert was a "westerner" who had just moved from Minnesota to New York City, and several opponents raised doubts about the jury's competence.[82][96] After Gage certified Gilbert's selection in November 1899,[96][98] the opposition decreased significantly.[96]
Construction and opening
Demolition of existing buildings on the site began in February 1900,[99] and by that August, test bores were being made for the construction of the new Custom House's foundations.[100] Isaac A. Hoppes received a contract for such work the same December.[16] The site was excavated to a depth of 25 feet (7.6 m), and some 2.2 million cubic feet (62,000 m3) of dirt was removed. The New-York Tribune called the site "the biggest hole that was ever made in this city over which to erect a building".[101] In December 1901, the federal government accepted contractor John Peirce's bid to erect the Custom House building's first floor.[d] Pending further appropriations, the rest of the building would also be built by Peirce.[103] At the time, there was only $3 million budgeted toward the Custom House's completion (equal to $88 million in 2023[a]).[104][105] The following November, Peirce was authorized to complete the remaining stories,[106] after another $1.5 million (equal to $44 million in 2023[a]) was allocated to continue construction.[105]
The cornerstone of the building was laid on October 7, 1902, in a ceremony attended by Treasury secretary Leslie M. Shaw. After a ticker tape parade down Broadway, the cornerstone, filled with contemporary souvenirs and artifacts, was placed at the northeast corner of the site.[16][107][108] The new Custom House's construction lagged due to government bureaucracy, while work on comparable private buildings nearby proceeded more quickly.[109] The slow construction was attributed to various reasons, such as concurrent jobs being undertaken by the building's contractors, money shortages, and lack of supplies.[105] Nonetheless, the building's imminent completion sparked the development of other nearby sites.[110] The Custom House was reportedly 70 percent complete by February 1905, according to Peirce.[111] That September, J. C. Robinson was contracted to furnish the interior of the building.[112] With a proposed final cost of $4.5 million (approximately $114 million in 2023[a]), it would be more expensive than any other public building in New York City except for the Tweed Courthouse.[25]
The building's first tenant was a United States Post Office Department station, which opened on the Bridge Street side of the building's ground floor in July 1906.[58] The same year, an additional $465,000 was allocated for the building's completion (equivalent to $12 million in 2023[a]).[105] By September 1907, the Custom House was ready to open.[113] The next month, the building was formally declared completed and the contractors turned over the building to the federal government. At the time, most of the internal furnishings had not been added.[114] The U.S. Customs Service moved its offices to Bowling Green on November 4, 1907.[115]
Use by U.S. Customs Service
![The northern and western facades of the Custom House in 1912](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/US_Customs_House_New_York_of_to-day._%281912%29_%2814782617492%29.jpg/260px-US_Customs_House_New_York_of_to-day._%281912%29_%2814782617492%29.jpg)
Following the Customs Service's relocation to the Custom House, other government agencies with offices in New York City, such as the Weather Bureau, also moved to the Bowling Green Custom House. By 1908, the Custom House was fully occupied by these other agencies, as the Treasury's chief architect had assigned space to other departments without consulting with the collector.[116] The next year, the House of Representatives approved the installation of a pneumatic-tube system so the post office and custom house could send packages to the appraiser's warehouse.[117] In 1918, following the U.S. entry into World War I the previous year, Gilbert was directed to remove all references to Germany from the Custom House's sculptures, since Germany was one of the Central Powers against which the United States was fighting. The German insignia on the entablature's Germania statue was accordingly replaced with those of Belgium.[35][36] The next year, the U.S. Passport Agency moved to the Custom House building.[118]
In 1937, during the Great Depression, the Treasury Relief Art Project (with funds and assistance from the Works Projects Administration) commissioned a cycle of murals for the main rotunda from Reginald Marsh.[57][119] The ceiling of the rotunda had been undecorated white plaster when the building was first erected.[52] By 1940, officials were asking that the Custom House be renovated. Then-collector Harry M. Durning requested at least $190,000 from Congress, saying that "men [were] falling out of ancient chairs, and [...] our valuable records and current papers stacked on desks and improperly filed in decrepit cabinets and bookshelves".[120] From 1914 to 1956, the Bowling Green Custom House also included a regional tax office, where companies and residents in Manhattan south of 34th Street had to pay their taxes.[121]
Later use
Decline and restoration
As early as 1964, the U.S. Customs Service considered moving to the World Trade Center, which was under construction.[122] The Customs Service leased space at Six World Trade Center from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1970,[123] and it relocated in 1973.[124] At the time, the New York Custom House had 1,375 employees, and the land under the building was estimated to be worth between $15 million and $20 million (about $79–105 million in 2023[a]).[125] The General Services Administration (GSA) acquired the Bowling Green Custom House after the Customs Service relocated.[126]
From 1974 on, the Custom House was largely vacant, and different parts of the building fell into various states of disrepair. Marsh's ceiling murals and the commissioner's room remained relatively intact, but there was peeling paint in other offices, and weeds were growing from the statues outside.[124] The nonprofit organization Custom House Institute was founded in 1974 to preserve the building.[127] The next year, the federal government declared the building "surplus" property, thereby making it available to the city government.[128] The architect I. M. Pei suggested converting the upper floors into office space, keeping the second-floor rotunda open, and converting the first floor to commercial use. This did not happen, and the Custom House Institute occupied the first floor while the GSA cleaned the facade; the upper six floors remained unused.[126] These stories were seldom open to the public except for special events.[124] These included the bicentennial of the United States in 1976,[126] a summer arts program in 1977,[129] and another arts exhibition in 1979.[130]
The Custom House Institute suggested converting the building into a museum and restaurant.[131] The GSA estimated in 1977 that it would cost $24 million to renovate the Bowling Green Custom House (about $94 million in 2023[a]).[13] The building's preservation was spurred by U.S. senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who gave U.S. House representatives a tour of the building to convince them to fund its renovation. In 1979, in part because of his advocacy, Congress approved $26.5 million for the renovation, including the restoration of Marsh's murals.[132][133] The GSA opened a request for proposals in 1983, soliciting tenants for 77,000 square feet (7,200 m2) at the Custom House.[124] Six plans were presented to Manhattan Community Board 1 in August 1984. Among those, two plans were considered most seriously: one for a Holocaust museum and the other for a cultural and educational center with an ocean liner museum, restaurants, and theaters.[134] Of these, the community board's members were overwhelmingly in favor of the cultural and educational center, while Jewish groups preferred the Holocaust museum.[135] The Holocaust museum proposal was selected in October 1984.[136] The Museum of Jewish Heritage, as the museum would be known, accepted an alternate site nearby at Battery Park City two years later,[137] after preservationists said it would be "inappropriate" for such a museum to be located in the Custom House.[138]
![Main entrance archway of the Custom House as seen in 2013. There is a banner for the Museum of the American Indian in the archway.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/USA-NYC-National_Museum_of_American_Indian0.jpg/220px-USA-NYC-National_Museum_of_American_Indian0.jpg)
An $18.3 million renovation (equivalent to $45 million in 2023[a]) began in August 1984.[134] Ehrenkrantz and Eckstut Architects conducted the renovation.[13][139] They cleaned, restored, and conserved exterior and ceremonial interior spaces. The restoration architects renovated old office space into federal courtrooms and ancillary offices; rental offices and meeting rooms; and a 350-seat auditorium. The building's fire-safety, security, telecommunications, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems were also upgraded.[1]
Museum operation
By early 1987, Moynihan was proposing legislation that would turn over the building to the Museum of the American Indian (later the George Gustav Heye Center), which at the time occupied Audubon Terrace in Upper Manhattan. This led to opposition from the American Indian Community House, which wished to occupy a part of the Custom House, and which argued that the museum was run mostly by non-Indians.[140] At the time, the Museum of the American Indian wished to relocate because its Upper Manhattan facility was insufficient, and the Custom House was being offered as an alternative for the museum's possible relocation to Washington, D.C.[141][142] U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye introduced the National Museum of the American Indian Act the next month, which would have brought the collection to Washington, D.C., instead.[143] A compromise was reached in 1988, in which the Smithsonian would build the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian would also acquire the Heye collection, which it would continue to operate in New York City at the Custom House.[144][145] The act was passed in 1989.[146]
In 1990, the building was officially renamed after Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, by act of Congress.[147][148] The George Gustav Heye Center's space in the Custom House opened for previews in November 1992,[149][150] and it formally opened in October 1994.[139] At that time, most of the space had been closed for 20 years.[151] The Heye Center occupied the three lower stories, while the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York occupied two additional stories.[139] One of the Bankruptcy Court's rooms on the fifth floor, known as the Eastern Airlines Room, had been renovated to accommodate bankruptcy hearings for large companies such as Eastern Air Lines.[152] The other two stories were unoccupied and had not been renovated, but the GSA planned to renovate the vacant stories.[139]
The museum and building were mostly undamaged by the September 11 attacks in 2001, but airborne debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center had to be cleared from some of the interior spaces.[153] The Heye Center's exhibition and public access areas originally totaled about 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2).[154] The museum expanded into part of the ground floor in 2006.[59] Six years later, the National Archives and Records Administration offices in New York moved to the Custom House.[155] As of 2022[update], U.S. Customs and Border Protection owns the Custom House.[156] In addition, the building contains the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York[157] and offices for the United States Department of Transportation.[13]
Reception and landmark designations
Gilbert stated that during the design process, a tall dome was suggested in order to make the building into a "landmark" but that "this would wholly destroy the proportions of the building per se, and as a matter of plan, seriously impair its practical usefulness".[39] Gilbert suggested that a 400-foot (120 m) storage tower would be more appropriate if a "landmark" was necessitated, but that such a tower "would add considerably to the cost".[39]
From the start, the Alexander Hamilton Custom House was architecturally distinguished from other buildings in the area. The New York Times said in 1906 that "it is the unity of idea embodied in the new Custom House and enforced by the wealth of sculpture with which it is embellished, more than its mere costliness, that gives to the edifice its unique value".[25] A Times editorial the same year said that, despite the federal government's initial reluctance to decorate the Custom House lavishly, "few recall the money sunk into stone, bricks and mortar; they enjoy the final touches inside on which millions were not squandered".[22][158] The Wall Street Journal wrote in 1914 that the Custom House "represents the national Government in its economic bases and financial life".[159]
Acclaim for the building continued in the decades after its completion. Architectural writer Henry Hope Reed Jr. regarded the Custom House in 1964 as "the finest public building in New York".[160] When the U.S. Customs Service relocated in 1973, Ada Louise Huxtable wrote that 6 World Trade Center's "functional, featureless grid" contrasted with the "splendor" of the Alexander Hamilton Custom House.[161] Architectural writer Robert A. M. Stern stated in his 1983 book New York 1900 that the Custom House and the Ellis Island immigration station were the two structures that reinforced New York City's role as "the leading American metropolis, representative of America's role in the world".[5]
The Custom House was one of the earliest designations of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, becoming an official exterior landmark in October 1965,[2] six months after the commission's founding.[162] At the time of the exterior designation, the commission said that "At some time in the future this building may be in jeopardy", since the federal government had doubted whether the Custom House should be made a city landmark.[2] The Custom House's interior was also designated an official city landmark in January 1979.[3][163] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the designation covering both its exterior and public interior spaces. The site was also declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.[1][164][165] In 2007, it was designated as a contributing property to the Wall Street Historic District,[166] a NRHP district.[167]
See also
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan below 14th Street
- National Historic Landmarks in New York City
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan below 14th Street
References
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ^ The lower sections of the rotunda's ceiling contain nine layers of tiles, while the upper sections contain three layers. These are arranged as two "shells" with a space between them.[41][53]
- ^ The assistants were Xavier J. Barile, Lloyd Lozes Goff, Mary Fife, Ludwig Mactarian, Oliver M. Baker, John Poehler, J. Walkely. and E. Volsung.[41]
- ^ Peirce (also spelled Pierce) was previously one of the United States' largest granite contractors. As a general building contractor, he also worked on numerous early skyscrapers, as well as the New York Public Library Main Branch.[102]
Citations
- ^ a b c d "United States Custom House (New York)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g United States Custom House (PDF) (Report). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. October 14, 1965. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ^ a b c Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 1.
- ^ a b "NYCityMap". NYC.gov. New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Stern, Gilmartin & Massengale 1983, p. 74.
- ^ a b c Reynolds 1994, p. 257.
- ^ a b c d e f "The New Custom House" (PDF). The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide. Vol. 77, no. 1982. March 10, 1906. p. 414. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2020 – via Columbia University.
- ^ "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Bowling Green (4)(5)". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2018. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e White, Norval; Willensky, Elliot; Leadon, Fran (2010). AIA Guide to New York City (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-19538-386-7.
- ^ "To Occupy a Historic Site; Memories Recalled by the Location of the New Custom House". The New York Times. May 7, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ Stokes 1915–1928, v. 5, p. 1583.
- ^ "Memories of Bowling Green". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. April 1, 1900. p. 28. ISSN 2577-9397. Retrieved April 16, 2020 – via Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York, NY". General Services Administration. February 28, 2019. Archived from the original on June 12, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- ^ Reynolds 1994, pp. 256–257.
- ^ a b c d e f g Inland Architect 1900, p. 6.
- ^ a b c d e f Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 4.
- ^ a b c d e f "The New Custom House. Sculptures to be Placed on the Bowling Green Front by Twelve Chosen Sculptors". The New York Times. November 8, 1903. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Stern, Gilmartin & Massengale 1983, pp. 74–75.
- ^ a b c d Reynolds 1994, p. 262.
- ^ a b c d e f Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, p. 51.
- ^ a b c d Reynolds 1994, p. 264.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 5.
- ^ "Big Stone Safe Ashore". The New York Times. November 23, 1904. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c Reynolds 1994, p. 261.
- ^ a b c d e f g "World's Greatest Custom House Will Soon Be Completed; Splendid Building on Bowling Green or Department Which Collected $183,000,000 for Uncle Sam Last Year Should Be Ready for Business Within 12 Months". The New York Times. January 14, 1906. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, p. 52.
- ^ Harris 2002, p. 269.
- ^ a b c "For Four Marble Groups; Symbols of Continents for the Custom House by D.C. French Shown". The New York Times. April 30, 1905. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Custom House Statues". New-York Tribune. November 13, 1905. p. 9. ISSN 1941-0646. Retrieved March 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gray, Christopher (October 17, 1999). "Streetscapes/The Piccirillis; Six Brothers Who Left Their Mark as Sculptors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ Reynolds 1994, pp. 262–263.
- ^ Stern, Gilmartin & Massengale 1983, p. 75.
- ^ Reynolds 1994, pp. 263–264.
- ^ Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, pp. 4–5.
- ^ a b "To Change Teuton Statue; Germania on the Custom House Will Become Belgium". The New York Times. September 13, 1918. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "German Statue Will Be Belgian". New York Herald. September 13, 1918. p. 14. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g Reynolds 1994, p. 260.
- ^ a b Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, pp. 51–52.
- ^ a b c Inland Architect 1900, p. 7.
- ^ a b c d e "Floor Plan and Guide" (PDF). George Gustav Heye Center. April 2018. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 6.
- ^ a b c d e f Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 8.
- ^ a b c d Reynolds 1994, p. 259.
- ^ Reynolds 1994, pp. 259–260.
- ^ Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, p. 61.
- ^ a b c d Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 7.
- ^ a b Reynolds 1994, pp. 258–259.
- ^ a b c Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, p. 54.
- ^ New York State Legislature 1914.
- ^ Reynolds 1994, p. 258.
- ^ a b "Host an Event in New York, NY". George Gustav Heye Center. August 1, 2018. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, p. 56.
- ^ a b c Architects' and Builders' Magazine 1908, p. 60.
- ^ a b Reynolds 1994, pp. 257–258.
- ^ "U.S. Custom House Murals – New York NY". Living New Deal. Department of Geography, University of California, Berkeley. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ O'Connor, Francis V. (Autumn 1969). "The New Deal Art Projects in New York". The American Art Journal. 1 (2). Kennedy Galleries, Inc.: 62–63. doi:10.2307/1593876. JSTOR 1593876.
- ^ a b Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, pp. 6–7.
- ^ a b c "Postal Station Moves to New Custom House; New Home to Have Electric Stampers and a Tube Service". The New York Times. July 1, 1906. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ a b Dunlap, David W. (August 11, 2006). "Indian Museum Adds Space in the Round". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Reynolds 1994, p. 252.
- ^ a b c d e f g Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 2.
- ^ a b Vowell 2005, p. 127.
- ^ Hartman 1952, p. 10.
- ^ Stokes 1915–1928, v. 2, p. 301; Stokes 1915–1928, v. 5, p. 1263.
- ^ Stokes 1915–1928, v. 5, p. 1367.
- ^ New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; Dolkart, Andrew S.; Postal, Matthew A. (2009). Postal, Matthew A. (ed.). Guide to New York City Landmarks (4th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-470-28963-1.
- ^ a b Swett & Thornton 2005, pp. 122–123.
- ^ Architecture and Building 1888, p. 40.
- ^ a b "In and About the City; Exceeded His Authority. More Facts About the Selection of the Bowling Green Site". The New York Times. October 30, 1889. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ New York Chamber of Commerce 1889, p. 37.
- ^ "For New Public Buildings.; the Report of Superintendent William J. Fryer, Jr". The New York Times. September 6, 1888. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Bowling Green Selected; to Be the Site of the Appraisers Stores". The New York Times. September 11, 1889. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Object to Bowling Green.; Why Business Men Oppose the Removal of the Custom House". The New York Times. January 21, 1891. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "It Would Be Unlawful; to Condemn the Bowling Green Site as Proposed. Judge Wallace Decides That If Uncle Sam Wants Land for a Custom House He Must Proceed According to State Statutes". The New York Times. March 17, 1891. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The New Custom House.; Passage of the Bill, Which Now Goes to the President". The New York Times. March 3, 1891. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Appraisal Completed; What the Site of the New Custom House Will Cost". The New York Times. July 8, 1892. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Pretty Badly Tangled up; Matters Relating to the New Custom House Site. Not Enough Money Available to Purchase the Bowling Green Property -- Clouds on the Titles -- the Courts to Be Asked to Straighten Things Out". The New York Times. January 12, 1893. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "That New Custom House". New York World. February 10, 1898. p. 10. ISSN 1941-0654. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Customs House Site in New York". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 5, 1897. p. 5. ISSN 2577-9397. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "The Bowling Green Site" (PDF). The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide. Vol. 63, no. 1624. April 29, 1899. p. 762. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2020 – via Columbia University.
- ^ Reynolds 1994, p. 256.
- ^ a b c d e f Landmarks Preservation Commission 1979, p. 3.
- ^ "New Custom House Projected; Collector Bidwell Enlists Secretary Gage in Favor of a Building on the Bowling Green Site". The New York Times. February 11, 1898. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Custom House Bill; Commission Plan Accepted with Some Amendments, and the Measure Reported Favorably". The New York Times. February 20, 1897. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The New Custom House". Brooklyn Times-Union. March 4, 1897. p. 4. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The New York Custom House; Bill for the Purchase of the Bowling Green Site Passes in Senate and House". The New York Times. March 1, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Outsider and the Market" (PDF). The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide. Vol. 63, no. 1616. March 4, 1899. p. 366. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2020 – via Columbia University.
- ^ "For the Custom House Site; All but Three Bowling Green Property Owners Consent to Sell". The New York Times. April 20, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "The New Custom House Site; Formal Transfer of the Bowling Green Property". The New York Times. July 27, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Old Custom House Paid For; The $3,210,000 Makes a Material Change in Treasury Statement". The New York Times. August 30, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "New York Custom House; Government Invites Twenty Firms of Architects to Compete". The New York Times. May 12, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "New Custom House Plans; Architects Who Are to Compete for the Design Receive the Government's Specifications". The New York Times. June 23, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Custom House Plans Chosen; Committee Selects Those of Carrere & Hastings and Cass Gilbert -- One of Them May Withdraw". The New York Times. September 24, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Two Custom-House Ideas". New York World. September 25, 1899. p. 5. ISSN 1941-0654. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Lee 2000, p. 197.
- ^ a b c d "First Picture of New Custom-House to be Built on Bowling Green". New York World. November 6, 1899. p. 4. ISSN 1941-0654. Retrieved February 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senator Platt and the Custom House". The New York Times. October 25, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "Custom House Architect; Secretary Gage Accepts the Plans of Cass Gilbert". The New York Times. November 4, 1899. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "New Custom House Site; Work of Tearing Down Old Buildings Will Go on at Once". The New York Times. February 2, 1900. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 7, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Custom House Foundations; Borings Being Made on the Site for the New Building". The New York Times. August 14, 1900. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "An Underground City". New-York Tribune. January 12, 1902. p. 21. ISSN 1941-0646. Retrieved April 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ John Peirce Residence (PDF) (Report). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. June 23, 2009. pp. 4–5. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ "To Build New Custom House; Pierce Has First-Story Contract". The New York Times. December 3, 1901. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "May Delay Work on the New Custom House; Controller of the Treasury Gives an Important Decision". The New York Times. November 22, 1901. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Wonderful Pile!". New-York Tribune. June 30, 1907. p. 58. ISSN 1941-0646. Retrieved April 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "News of the Day Briefly Told". Brooklyn Standard Union. November 8, 1902. p. 4. Retrieved April 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cornerstone of New Custom House Laid; Secretary Shaw Performs Ceremony and Makes an Address. Plea for Interchangeability of All Forms of Our Money with Gold -- English the Language of Commerce". The New York Times. October 8, 1902. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ "New Custom House Formally Begun". Brooklyn Standard Union. October 7, 1902. p. 12. Retrieved April 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Contractors Rush Skyscrapers While Public Buildings Creep; The New Custom House, Public Library and Hall of Records Tied Down by Government Red Tape". The New York Times. November 30, 1902. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Influence of Custom House on Surrounding Property; Further Building Operations Looked for Upon Completion of that Structure". The New York Times. December 10, 1905. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Building Operations South of Chambers Street" (PDF). The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide. Vol. 75, no. 1925. February 4, 1905. p. 244. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020 – via Columbia University.
- ^ "Contracts for New Custom House". New-York Tribune. September 1, 1905. p. 9. ISSN 1941-0646. Retrieved April 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Custom House Opening; New Building to be Dedicated on September 23". The New York Times. September 11, 1907. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Contractors Finish New Custom House; The Bowling Green Building Is Formally Turned Over to the Government". The New York Times. October 2, 1907. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Old Custom House Vacated". The New York Times. November 3, 1907. p. 6. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Custom House Full; Collector Fowler Finds That Uncle Sam Is Letting in Other Tenants". The New York Times. January 30, 1908. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Tubes for Custom House; Pneumatic System for Sending Packages to Appraisers' Offices". The New York Times. February 23, 1909. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Passport Agency Moves to Custom House". The New York Times. July 26, 1919. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Murals Approved for Custom House; Eight Panels Depicting Scenes of Modern Shipping to Adorn Dome of Rotunda". The New York Times. April 16, 1937. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "Renovation Urged for Custom House; Durning Makes a 'Desperate' Effort to Get $190,000 From Congress for Purpose". The New York Times. February 5, 1940. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "U.S. Taxes Office to Move Monday; 5-Billion-a-Year Branch Is Quitting Custom House for 245 West Houston St". The New York Times. November 29, 1956. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ "Site Tests Begin for Trade Center; Realty Men Say Borings Are Designed to Fool Public". The New York Times. June 10, 1964. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Bamberger, Werner (June 7, 1970). "Custom House to Get an $18 ‐Million Home". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Dunlap, David W. (November 11, 1983). "After Decade of Abandonment, Custom House Invites Tenants". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ Bamberger, Werner (September 4, 1973). "U.S. Prepares to Vacate The 1907 Custom House". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c Wins, Molly (July 1, 1976). "Restored Custom House Glows for Bicentennial". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Tomasson, Robert E. (March 17, 1974). "A$25‐Million Renovation Of Custom House Studied". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
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External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website GSA: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House
- The short film Years of Grandeur: Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, New York, NY (2007) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
- "Reginald Marsh's Custom House Murals" Archived September 23, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Museum of the City of New York
- Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register
- Alexander Hamilton
- Allegorical sculptures in New York City
- Beaux-Arts architecture in New York City
- Bowling Green (New York City)
- Broadway (Manhattan)
- Cass Gilbert buildings
- Custom houses in the United States
- Custom houses on the National Register of Historic Places
- Financial District, Manhattan
- Government buildings completed in 1907
- Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan
- Historic district contributing properties in Manhattan
- Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in New York (state)
- National Historic Landmarks in Manhattan
- New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan
- New York City interior landmarks
- Sculptures by Karl Bitter
- Treasury Relief Art Project