OK, so we’re taking a little detour around Gulick and the IPA Collection. OK, a big detour.
But we can’t resist. And there is a (loose) connection.
Across from Baruch College and the Newman Library, on Lexington Avenue between 25-26th Streets, stands the historic 69th Regiment Armory, home of New York City’s only official Irish regiment, the Fighting 69th.
http://www.sixtyninth.net/armory.html
The imposing fortress, built from 1904 to 1906 and memorializing battles going back to the Civil War, was notable as the site of the 1913 Armory Show that brought the modern art revolution to America. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~museum/armory/armoryshow.html
It’s also notable for an easily-missed plaque on an outside wall at the armory’s northwestern edge at what was once 104 East 26th Street.
Wow!, we invariably think, trudging past from the No. 6 train, imagine that, Melville living right here for almost 30 years! In fact, we learn from a biography by Laurie Robertson-Lorant (Clarkson Potter/1996) in the Newman Library, the site was a three-story brownstone (since demolished) registered in the name of Melville’s wife, Elizabeth, in 1863. By then, Melville had published nine novels and 16 magazine pieces and sketches, including “Moby Dick” a dozen years before. Still, he was thought of (when he was thought of at all) as a has-been.
If Melville walked east on 26th Street (and he was a great walker!), he passed a carriage factory and ironworks and eventually Bellevue Hospital. To the west loomed the New York and Harlem railroad depot and Madison Square Park — the “garden,” or arena, wouldn’t rise until 1879. Not that Melville probably cared, but nearby too lay some of the city’s most notorious brothels. http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/seven_sisters_row_west_25th_street
On Sept. 27, 1891, Melville went to bed feeling sick. After midnight he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 72.
Which brings us to our point, via this recent email:
Friends:
September 28th marks the 125th anniversary of the passing of the legendary American author Herman Melville, one of the many notables in our care at The Woodlawn Cemetery.
To recognize his life and legacy we are presenting “Celebrating Melville: Writer for the World,” a collection of readings from his works and musical selections featuring prominent authors, academics and musical artists.
There is no admission charge for this public event which will begin at 2:00 on the afternoon of September 28th in the area of his final resting place. Space is limited. To order your tickets and for more program details, please visit us at www.hermanmelville.org or www.thewoodlawncemetery.org/melville-event-2016
We look forward to greeting you at the event and to celebrating together.
Robert
Robert Kestenbaum, Event Chair
Director of Family Services
The Woodlawn Cemetery
Webster Ave. & East 233rd St.
Bronx, New York 10470
Direct: 718-408-5626
Mobile: 914-879-1809
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.thewoodlawncemetery.org
And the connection to Baruch?
Apart from the proximity of his former home, the Newman Library boasts a robust Melville collection.
