Walking Tour of 15 Landmarks Attracts Many to Murray Hill in Support of Cultural Medallion Program!
On a lovely Saturday afternoon in mid-October, 70 people took part in a walking tour of 15 landmark buildings in historic Murray Hill sponsored by the Preservation & Design Committee of the MHNA. Strolling along tree-lined streets at their own pace, tour participants were greeted at each building by a docent who spoke about its historic significance and architectural characteristics. Landmarks on the tour included the Union League Club, the Polish Consulate, Morgan Library as well as several other of the neighborhood’s most beautiful townhouses, mansions, carriage houses and private clubs.
Each participant also received a beautiful 60-page guide book filled with information about each landmark as well as historical facts about Murray Hill and the landmarking process. Following the tour, a reception was held at the Collectors Club, one of the landmark buildings on the tour and one of the largest philately clubs in the country.
This was the Committee’s first event to support our participation in the Cultural Medallion Program. Under the auspices of the Historic Landmarks Preservation Center, this Program was established to commemorate the residences of distinguished New Yorkers who made their mark in the arts, politics, business and other notable endeavors. The only medallion currently in Murray Hill is in commemoration of Malvina Hoffman, the famous sculptor whose studio was located at the far end of Sniffen Court. Her terra-cotta medallion can be seen at 157 East 35th Street. Work is now underway to place medallions on three other buildings in the neighborhood commemorating Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, and Charles Dana Gibson.
If you would like to make a donation to support Murray Hill’s participation in the Cultural Medallion Program, please visit our website at www.murrayhillnyc.org and click Donate. Or contact Susan Demmet, Chair of the Preservation & Design Committee at sldemmet@gmail.com. Anyone donating $50 or more will receive a free copy of our Walking Tour of Landmarks Program Guide Book.
Our thanks to the Collectors Club, host for the reception, event sponsors and all of the docents who made this event possible:
| Morgan Library/Madison Ave. & Annex Morgan Library Piano Building JP Morgan JR House (231 Madison @ 37th Street) | Nina Liebman |
| Sniffen Court 36th Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue) | Robin Garr |
| Federalist Set Back House (Van Buren) 152 East 38th Street | Ainslee Schreiber Sami Steigman Lisa Searing |
| De Lamar Mansion (Polish Consulate) 37th & Madison Avenue | Barbara Sagan |
| Church of the Incarnation (NE Corner of 35th and Madison Avenue) | Sarah Stavrou John Chadwick |
| Lanier Mansion 123 East 35th Street | Sandy Driesen Veronica McILraith |
| Adelaide Douglas House 57 Park Avenue | Pauline Brooks Matt Roberts |
| Collectors Club 22 East 35th Street | Debbie Landey |
| Bowdoin Carriage House 149 East 38th Street | Nicole Migeon Nicole Scope |
| Allen Stable House 148 East 40th Street | Shibani Gambhir Victoria Spagnola |
| Robb Mansion 23 Park Avenue | Elaine Silber |
| Allerton House – POD Hotel 145 East 39th Street | Ashley Petrylak Mark Shenk |
| Burrill Mansion 36 East 38th Street | Michaela Walsh Jon Harari |
| Union League Club 38 East 37th Street | Barbara Gieseler Stein Berre |
Event Sponsors:
Bartow Insurance
Flushing Bank
Madison Bistro
Pershing Square Cafe
Smorgas Chef at Scandinavia House
Villa Berulia