`Abdu'l-Bahá in Manhattan (Kurt Asplund: 01-15-2013)
"I have attended more meetings in New York than in all the other cities combined." `Abdu’l-Bahá , Dec. 3, 1912 at the Kinney home (see The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 460).
“I have stayed a long time with you in New York. My stay in other towns has not been a tenth as long.” `Abdu’l-Bahá , Dec. 2, 1912 (Mahmud’s Diary p. 418)
The year 2012 marked the Centennial of `Abdu’l-Bahá ’s visit to the United States and Canada, and Bahá 'ı́s the world over were moved to their core as they relived those glorious days in 1912, thanks to the numerous books, articles and presentations offered online and at various celebrations honoring the occasion.
Many wanted to know: What did `Abdu’l-Bahá see with His blessed eyes? What sounds reached His ears? What were His private thoughts as he surveyed the vast landscapes and urban jungles of America? As researchers continue their work of uncovering new sources and stories about those fateful days, the dream of recreating His visit in intimate detail draws closer to reality.
In June of 1999, I purchased a copy of an old atlas (for $40) with the title, Miniature Atlas of the Borough of Manhattan in One Volume : 1912 (NY: E. Belcher Hyde, 1912; 472 pages), and when it arrived in the mail, I was delighted by what I had found: Every city block in Manhattan was laid out in extraordinary detail, offering a 1912 snapshot of the physical structure of the urban landscape from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan to the Harlem River to the north. Details include infrastructure such as bridges, rail lines, transit stations, piers, as well as every skyscraper, building, house, and man-made structure on the island (for a more complete description of the book, see Note 1 in the Addendum).
The work of utilizing this resource is a work in progress: As I seek to locate each site visited by `Abdu’l-Bahá in Manhattan, I’ve discovered some inaccuracies in the historical record (noted by asterisks*; see Addendum notes). I’ve been unable to gind the address of Hooper and Gertrude Harris’s home on West 95th Street (see #37 and note 24 below), and I’m likely to be missing other locations He visited. I would particularly like to know more about the specigic modes of transportation that `Abdu’l-Bahá used to move from one location to another.
It is the view of this researcher that every spot graced by the presence of `Abdu’l- Bahá is blessed.
I’ve attached a JPG Qile, a Rand McNally map of Manhattan from 1911, with blue dots marking all of the locations listed below (see 1912_Manhattan_JPG_with_locations.JPG; use the zoom feature for greater detail). Thanks to my brother, Craig Asplund for his terriQic help on this very useful small-scale map. The following image from the Miniature Atlas will help you interpret the plat map symbols in the map images below: Places visited by `Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912: Beginning with the piers of the White Star Line, followed by sites in Manhattan from South to North. *Annotations & arrows in red*
1. White Star Line Piers: S. S. Cedric arrived April 11, 1912; S. S. Celtic departed Dec. 5. 2. Hoboken ferry / The 23rd Street Station: `Abdu’l-Bahá took this ferry to and from New Jersey on at least a few occasions. 2 3. Liberty Street Station?2 Juliet Thompson’s description of the Master ginally returning to New York City after his journey to the Pacigic coast and back indicates that `Abdu’l-Bahá may have, at some time during his stays in Manhattan, taken the ferry from New Jersey to the Liberty Street Station, or from this station to New Jersey (see Diary of Juliet Thompson, p. 362). 2 4. Manhattan Bridge3 (direct route to Flatbush, Brooklyn) (July 12, Saturday according to Mahmud p. 168, and possibly other occasions) 5. Bowery Mission, 227 Bowery (April 19, Friday evening) 6. New York University4 on the 8th & 9th gloors of the American Book Co. building. 32 Waverly Place, bounded by Washington Square East (Wooster St.), Waverly Place, and Washington Place (May 30, Thursday):
1912 Catalogue, by New York University: “The school occupies the eighth and ninth gloors of the University Building, Washington Square East, New York City. The entrance to the elevators is on Waverly Place. The building is easily reached from any section of Greater New York by Subway (Astor Place Station), Sixth or Third Avenue Elevated, Hudson River tunnel or surface lines, all of which are within a few minutes' walk. The School's location in the heart of the business section of New York City and its close connections with leading commercial and ginancial houses enable it to secure the services of many successful men of affairs as instructors and lecturers. “The University has opened a Brooklyn branch of the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance in the Eagle Building, at Washington and Johnson Streets, Brooklyn (near Borough Hall). Long Island students taking any of the regular courses of the School will be required to enter in the Brooklyn division. Such students may take special courses offered in the Washington Square Building only.”
[Note that this 1912 catalogue lists Qive locations (see below). Is it possible that `Abdu’l-Bahá spoke at another location instead of Washington Square?]
“Faculty located at: Washington Square (off Waverly) (Politics, Law, Semitic Language and Literature, Psychology, Economics, Finance, Education, Mathematics, Accounting) University Heights in the Bronx (Chancellor, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Pure Sciences, French & Spanish, Greek, German, Engineering, Mathematics, Comparative Religion, Rhetoric, Athletics, History) 26th St. and 1st Ave. (School of Medicine, Pharmacology, Mental Diseases by or at Bellevue Hospital) 141 West 54th St. (Veterinary Medicine) Brooklyn Branch, Washington and Johnson Streets, Eagle Building, Brooklyn (near Borough Hall).”
p. 50: “PUBLIC LECTURES “In addition to the regular program of studies, arrangements are made for lectures before the members of the University, and in some cases before the public also. (For the list of Lectures given in 1911-12, see the Annual Report for that year.)”
[Note: The Annual Report for 1912 does not include a mention of `Abdu’l-Bahá or conQirm where the lecture took place.] 7. Home of Juliet Thompson at 48 West 10th St. (July 23, Tuesday & Nov. 15, Friday)
8. Church of the Ascension, NW corner of 5th Avenue and West 10th St. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, pastor (April 14, Sunday & June 2, Sunday) 9. Metropolitan Temple for Aggressive Christianity 5 (“Church of the Open Door”) 7th Avenue and West 14th Street with ofgices at “50 7th Avenue” (May 20, Monday & May 28, Tuesday) 11. Mr. & Mrs. Alexander & Marjorie Morten6 141 East 21st Street 10. All Souls Unitarian Church (April 13, Saturday) 4th Avenue & East 20th Street, SE Corner (July 14, Sunday) 12. Pennsylvania Railroad Station?7 It’s not unreasonable to presume that `Abdu’l-Bahá left New York from this station on His way to other cities, but so far, no mention of it has been found. 13. Gertrude Käsebier's Studio8 315 Fifth Avenue on S. E. Corner of Fifth Ave. & East 32nd Street (June 20, Thursday, where portrait photographs of `Abdu’l-Bahá were taken.)
14. Waldorf-Astoria Hotel9 West 34th Street & Fifth Avenue (demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building) (November 25, Monday, `Abdu’l-Bahá spoke before the Minerva Club, a women’s club5) 15. J. Piermont Morgan's Library 225 Madison Avenue on East 36th Street (November 18, Monday) 16. Grand Central Station10 East 43rd Street & Lexington Avenue. `Abdu’l-Bahá left for Washington D. C. from Grand Central Station according to Mahmud. (April 20, Saturday morning) 17. The Little Theatre11 (opened in March 1912) 240 West 44th Street between Eighth and Seventh Avenues (April 19, Friday afternoon) 18. Hotel Astor12 West 44th Street and Broadway, between West 44th and West 45th Streets near Times Square. (May 13, Monday evening) 19. Great Northern Hotel (demolished late 1970s) 118 West 57th Street, South side of street OR 109 West 56th Street between 7th & 6th Avenues, North Side (November 23, Saturday)
*20. Carnegie Lyceum13 (today's Zankel Hall, originally “Recital Hall”) at Carnegie Hall at "Union Meeting of Advanced Thought Centers" ("New Thought Alliance?") West 57th Street and 7th Avenue, between W. 56th and W. 57th Streets (April 14, Sunday afternoon)
*21. Home of Mrs. Helen V. Tatum14 130 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019 (“Renaissance Studio” bldg. in 1912 Atlas) (May 21, Tuesday) *22. Genealogical Hall15 226 West 58th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue (November 17, Sunday) 23. Plaza Hotel Main entrance off Central Park South (or West 59th Street), bounded by Fifth Avenue and West 58th Street. (July 3, Wednesday) 24. Miss Harriet Phillips's studio apartment16 39 W. 67th Street, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West (April 12, Friday evening) 25. Hotel Ansonia Broadway between 73rd and 74th Streets. (Residence from April 11, Thursday, to April 20, Saturday) 26. Home of Mountfort and Adele Mills17 327 West End Ave, between W. 75th and W. 76th Streets (April 15, Monday afternoon) 27. Church of the Divine Paternity Universalist Central Park West & West 76th Street (May 19, Sunday morning) 28. Home of Dr. Florian and Mrs. Grace Krug18 830 Park Ave., New York, NY 10021 (July 15, Monday and Dec. 3, Tuesday) 29. Central Park (see large map)19 30. American Museum of Natural History Central Park West, between W. 77th & W. 81st in Manhattan Square (July 8, Monday or July 5, Friday according to Mahmud) 31. Home of Mr. Henry F. “Frank” and Mrs. Amelia Champney20 309 West 78th St., between Riverside Drive and West End Avenue (`Abdu’l-Bahá ’s residence leased from May 27, Monday to Dec. 5, Thursday)
32. Riverside Park (“His Garden,” as told by Juliet Thompson, p. 300) *33. Theosophical Lodge or Theosophical Society21 2228 Broadway on SE corner of West 80th Street (PUP’s “Broadway and 79th“ is incorrect; that corner is occupied by "Spreters Dry Goods") (May 30, Thursday & December 4, Wednesday) 34. Home of Miss Charlotte Segler22 132 West 90th Street, between Amsterdam & Columbus (July 15, Monday according to Mahmud; his “Mrs. Sieglar”) 35. Home of Marshall L. & Annette W. L. Emery23 273 West 90th St. between Broadway and West End Ave. (April 18, Thursday, and, according to Juliet Thompson, `Abdu’l-Bahá spent His last few days in America at the Emery home before sailing Dec. 5) 36. The Hudson Apartments 227 Riverside Drive on the SE corner of Riverside Dr. & West 95th St. (`Abdu’l-Bahá’s residence from Saturday May 11 to Wednesday May 22) 37. Home of William Hooper Harris & Gertrude Harris?24 Somewhere on West 95th Street near West End Avenue? (see Juliet Thompson) (July 11, Thursday & November 20, Wednesday)
38. Home of Edward B. and Carrie H. Kinney25 780 West End Ave., on the SE corner of West End Ave & West 98th St. (April 11, Thursday, `Abdu’l-Bahá gave His girst talk on American soil. He gave many talks at the Kinney home: April 17 Wednesday, May 29, Wednesday, June 11, Tuesday, Nov. 29, Friday, Dec. 2, 3 Monday & Tuesday: "I have attended more meetings in New York than in all the other cities combined." `Abdu’l-Bahá , The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 460) 39. Grace Methodist Episcopal Church 125 West 104th Street between Amsterdam Ave. & Columbus Ave. (May 12, Sunday) 40. Home of Mrs. Asa Cochran26 514 W 114th St, New York, NY 10025 between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave. across from Columbia University (November 25, Monday) 41. Earl Hall, Columbia University (1912 Atlas names it "Art Hall") On main campus between W. 116th and W. 120th Streets, not far from Broadway (April 19, Friday) 42. Mount Morris Baptist Church - John Herman Randall was the pastor of this church (Juliet Thompson said, “Mr. Ramsdell’s Baptist Church” – JT p. 296). Fifth Avenue and West 126th St. (May 26, Sunday evening) 43. Home of Frank & Georgianna Moxey 27 575 Riverside Dr., between West 134th and West 135th Streets (“West Point” apts. in 1912 Atlas) (November 18, Monday) 44. Home of Arthur Pillsbury Dodge28 261 West 139th Street, between Eighth and Seventh Avenues. (April 16, Tuesday) *Locations marked with an asterisk contain corrections to the historical record.
Addendum and Notes:
1. The 1912 Atlas: George Glazer Gallery offers the following description of the 1912 Atlas:
“Miniature Atlas of the Borough of Manhattan in One Volume” E. Belcher Hyde, New York: 1912 Color printed plat maps 9.75 x 6.5 inches closed, overall Quarto, red cloth
“Comprehensive street atlas of Manhattan with 472 pages of detailed plat maps by E. Belcher Hyde, which created maps for the gire insurance industry. The degree of detail and specigicity of these maps allowed the insurance companies to estimate the liability of certain properties because they showed every structure in an area, its building materials and size, its function, and other pertinent information about the street and surroundings. The company published maps from the 1890s to at least 1991, of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.”
“An index is provided listing all streets and the pages corresponding to them. Includes a sectional map of Manhattan. Enough detail is provided to distinguish different buildings from each other, all lots being numbered along with house numbers, dimensions, number of stories and basement, and block number. The maps are current as of March 13th, 1912. Buildings that are large or of great importance are named.”
“Buildings, streets, subways and city infrastructure are labeled with symbols of interest to the insurance industry. These show if the building is made of brick, stone, iron or frame building, gireproof steel or a combination such as half brick and half frame or frame building with brick front. Other symbols point out buildings with stores on the girst gloor, saloons or hotels with liquor licenses, stables, sheds, old buildings, greenhouses and foundations. Infrastructure symbols show opened and unopened streets, water mains with dimensions, sewer with manholes and dimensions, street dimensions, hydrants and the elevations of streets above high tide. Transportation lines are also indicated: steam railroads, elevated railroads, trolley lines and interborough rapid transit.”
2. Liberty Street Station and the 23rd Street Station (#2, 3): Diary of Juliet Thompson p. 362: “The Master is here again! I met him at the boat last Monday, November 11. I met Him alone. And this is how that happened. At noon on November 11, Mirza Ali Akbar arrived from Washington to Qind living quarters for the Master and the Persians…. The Master was to come at ten that night and we thought we had plenty of time to notify the friends so that they could meet His ferryboat, but later another wire came to our house, relayed to me through Mamma and Mr Mills at Mrs Champney's (and luckily catching me there), saying that the Master would arrive at eight. Through a series of accidents, Mr Mills' chauffeur landed us Qirst somewhere in New Jersey and then at the Liberty Street station, and there was no time to telephone anybody.
"This will be very bad," said Mirza 'Ali-Akbar, but we couldn't help it.
“We had accomplished everything else, had rented again the dear house on Seventy- Eighth Street (Mrs Champney's) and found extra rooms for some of the Persians.
“Now, Mirza 'Ali-Akbar insisted on my taking Mr Mills' car and going at breakneck speed to the Twenty-Third Street station to try to meet the Master there, if He should come that way, while he himself waited at Liberty Street.
“I reached Twenty-Third Street just in time. The ferryboat was approaching and very close to the dock. Standing at the end of the pier, I saw it with its chain of lights. I saw Dr Farid. Then the Master rose from a seat on the deck and entered the brightly lit cabin.
“Soon He came toward me down the gangplank.
"’Ah, Juliet,’ He said, taking my hand in His and drawing me along with Him, so that I walked beside Him. But He didn't invite me to drive to His house with Him. Instead, He sent me back after Mirza 'Ali-Akbar -- Dr Baghdadi and Mirza Mahmud going with me. We returned all together to Seventy-Eighth Street.
“Oh, to see Him in that house again, sitting in His old corner in the English basement, the corner in the bay window!”
3. Manhattan Bridge (#4):
July 12, Friday: Mahmud writes about `Abdu’l-Bahá ’s visit to the home of Mrs. Newton and Mrs. Rivers in Brooklyn and ginishes with the following (p. 168): “While the carriage was in motion it felt less hot but the long distance and the exceedingly hot weather took their toll on `Abdu’l-Bahá. The carriage crossed the Hudson River [he means the East River], passing through the length of the city, which was bedecked with gas and electric lamps of red, yellow and green and colorful advertisements along its wide streets and in the shops [no doubt along Broadway]. The light emanating from them threw a luster on the greatness of this mighty century. Then the carriage reached home.”
Note that in 1912 there was no bridge over the Hudson River from New York City. Mahmud’s description and the clear imperative of taking the fastest route from Brooklyn to Manhattan on account of the heat indicates that the bridge to which Mahmud referred was Manhattan Bridge. He likely crossed that bridge on His way to the home of Howard MacNutt and on other excursions to Brooklyn.
4. New York University (#6): 32 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003 (not “31 Waverly Place” as some histories suggest) across from Washington Square. See notes below the map image for question about location of `Abdu’l-Bahá ’s talk.
5. Metropolitan Temple for Aggressive Christianity (#9): Seventh Avenue and West 14th Street with ofgices at “50 7th Avenue” This church was also known as the “Church of the Open Door” according to the Directory of Social and Health Agencies of New York City, Volume 23 (Welfare Council of New York City, p. 436), and by the New York Charities Directory, 1914. Juliet Thompson refers to the church as “Church of the Open Door” in her diary on page 297 (1983 Kalimat edition). On Monday, May 20, `Abdu’l-Bahá spoke here at a Woman's suffrage meeting; He arrived in Mill's automobile. He also spoke on Tuesday, May 28. See New York Times, June 1: “Church Listing” shows “EDWARD KINNEY, organist”, and the Directory of Social and Health Agencies of New York City, Volume 23 notes that the pastor of the church was Arthur Bruce Moss.
6. Home of Alexander and Marjorie Morten (#11): 141 East 21st Street near Gramercy Park Address congirmed in the New York Times and 1912 & 1913 NYC directories. See New York Times: Sept. 20, 1910: “In the Real Estate Field : Gramercy Park Residence Sold. Innes & Center, associated with Cammann, Voorhees & Floyd, have sold for the Trustees of Yale College the give-story English basement dwelling 141 East Twenty-girst Street, facing Gramercy Park, to Alexander Morten, who will occupy the house after alterations. The plot is 20 by 98.9, and is a few doors east of the new co-operative apartment on the Lexington Avenue corner...”
See New York Times, November 2, 1910; p. 16: "Real Estate Transfers" "21st St, 141 East, n s 20x98.9; The President and Fellows of Yale College, in New Haven, Conn., to Alexander Morten, 7 West 42nd St. Oct. 31… $1
The 1912 & 1913 New York City Directories list the following: “Morten, Alex pres 3- E42d h141 E21st” (the 1912 directory also lists: “Morten & Co wines 3 E 42d”)
[1910 Census:] 7 West 42nd Street Name: Alexander Morten Age in 1910: 59 Birth Year: 1851 Birthplace: England Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 19, New York, New York Race: White Gender: Male Immigration Year: 1898 Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Majorie F Morten Father's Birthplace: England Mother's Birthplace: England Household Members: Name Age Alexander Morten 59 Majorie F Morten 29
7. Pennsylvania Railroad Station (#12)? The only histories (not Bahá 'ı́) discovered recently indicate that travelers left New York City for Washington D. C. from Penn Station, thence through the submarine tunnel under the Hudson River. Another route was to take the ferry to New Jersey, then the Royal Blue Line train leaving Jersey City. According to Mahmud, `Abdu’l- Bahá left from Grand Central Station, even admiring the building before departure. Though there is no known evidence to date that `Abdu’l-Bahá departed from or arrived at the Penn Station, it is not unreasonable to speculate that He did so.
8. Gertrude Käsebier's Studio (#13): 315 Fifth Avenue June 20, Thursday, `Abdu’l-Bahá agreed to a photographic session at the renowned studio. He approved and chose the proofs He liked. See “Who’s Who in America, 1912,” p. 1138: Before 1909, Gertrude K. was “forced to move out of her 273 Fifth Avenue studio” to relocate at 315 Fifth Avenue. The 1912 & 1913 New York City Directories list the following: “Kasebier, Gertrude photographs 315 5th av R1102 h614 W136th ,” so apparently her business was located on the top gloor of the 11 story building (room 1102).
9. Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (#14) talk before Minerva Club (a Women’s club): 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, bounded by West 34th St., Fifth Ave., West 33rd St. and Astor Court (demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building). Note: Front entrance off 34th Street; “Women’s Entrance” off 33rd Street. Juliet Thompson, p. 378: “He had had to address a Women’s Club early in the afternoon…” Mahmud, p. 409: “…The girst was the Women’s Club of New York where he spoke on the education of women…” See New York Times, Nov. 24, 1912: City Social Notes “Minerva, Mrs. Mary Stokes MacNutt, President, will give a breakfast and entertainment to-morrow at 1 o’clock at the Waldorf. The subject of the day will be ‘A Bit of Old and New China.” Mrs. Edward B. Jenkins will have charge of the breakfast and Mrs. James H. Pettit of the music, which will include Grieg’s Peer Gynt suite, given by Miss Florence Hubiel. Abdul Baha, Mrs. W. G. Brown, Mrs. William Todd Helmuth, and Miss M. G. Hay have been invited as special guests. “A subscription bridge and euchre will be given by the Philanthropic Committee of Minerva at the Astor on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 2 o’clock.”
Also see New York Times, Feb. 23, 1913: “What is Doing in the World of Women’s Clubs” “Minerva will celebrate Presidents’ day to-morrow with a luncheon and reception at the Waldorf…. Mrs. Mary Stokes MacNutt, the President of Minerva, is in Persia, and Mrs. Katherine A. Martin will preside.
And see New York Times, Feb. 1, 1914: “For sixteen years Minerva Club has been guided through the tortuous ways of club politics by the founder and President, Mrs. Howard MacNutt. During that time there have been only small difgiculties to be straightened out, only a few little disagreements which were easily adjusted. But now a breach is threatened, and friends of Minerva are sincerely sorry. This is one of the most conservative and dignigied of the women’s clubs in the city, and invitations to its affairs are always welcomed and accepted. Last Monday at the business meeting held in the Waldorf there was a tempestuous session, and the report of the Nominating Committee was received with applause mixed with sighs. After the business was transacted there were little knots of women to be seen all through the corridors, discussing the meeting with the same mysterious air that men assume when they are busy electing some one to ofgice. According to the constitution of the club there must be two candidates for ofgice at the biennial elections. These are the nominees: For President – Mrs. Howard MacNutt and Mrs. Katherine Martin; for First Vice President – Mrs. Simon Baruch and Mrs. A. E. Fish; for Second Vice President – Mrs. Frank Peteler and Mrs. J. E. Yawger; for Recording Secretary – Mrs. R. F. Cartwright and Mrs. Darwin W. Truss; for Corresponding Secretary – Mrs. James McCullough and Mrs. W. W. Beals; for Treasurer – Mrs. John B. Corbin and Mrs. E. B. Jenks – and Mrs. Jenks says that Mrs. Corbin is one of her best friends, and she, Mrs. Jenks, would much prefer to have Mrs. Corbin have the ofgice and the honor. For the Board of Managers – Mrs. Horace Stokes,… The afternoon closed with an informal social hour, those in attendance including Mrs. MacNutt, gowned in black velvet and old lace, and carrying a huge bouquet of Killarney roses…” 10. Grand Central Station (#16): Mahmud’s Diary, pp. 48-49: “In the early morning after prayers, meditations, morning tea and receiving some of the believers, `Abdu'l-Bahá left the Hotel Ansonia for the railway station [Grand Central Station]. A large group of friends and well- wishers were there to bid Him farewell. One by one they came to Him and in their own ways expressed their respect, attraction and humility.
“When He arrived at the station, `Abdu'l-Bahá walked around the building, praising its beauty and construction. We were informed that it is one of the Qinest in the world, its construction costing about six million dollars. The train began its journey and for the Qirst few miles it traveled by the great river. As well as His usual companions, two American Bahá'ís traveled with the Master. One was Mr John Bosch from California, who had come to New York speciQically to see Him. He had asked for a Persian name and was given the name Núrání [`the Luminous'] by the Master. The other American was Dr Edward Getsinger, who begged `Abdu'l-Bahá that he be allowed to be a part of His entourage. As most American trains have but one class of travel, except for sleeping compartments, we were all accommodated in one cabin. After a journey of about Qive hours the train reached Washington DC.”
11. The Little Theatre (#17): The Little Theatre opened its doors in March 1912, and years later, was gutted and completely remodeled to become Helen Hayes Theatre. Interestingly, the Julie Harris Theater in Scarborough NY, near Ossining is a replica of the original The Little Theater:
“Julie Harris Theater: (914) 941-9513; (914) 941-4653 : Development OfQice - Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. “Dedicated to Miss Harris, this Theater is located in the main building of The Clear View School. The school, then ‘The Scarborough School’, was founded in 1913 by Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Vanderlip. The Theater is a replica of the ‘Little Theater’ in New York City and believed to be the only existing example of designer, Winthrop Ames. When it opened in 1917 it was known as ‘Beechwood Playhouse’ and was considered to be one of the country's Qinest ‘little theaters.’ No expense was spared, from the lighting to the Qly gallery, it was one of the most completely equipped theaters off broadway. It has remarkable acoustics, a deeply set stage, a Qloor designed especially for dancers, and at present seats 250.”
12. Hotel Astor (#18): West 44th Street and Broadway, between West 44th and West 45th Streets in the Times Square area. (In 1912, Hotel Astor was not in the current location of ‘Astor on the Park’ at 465 Central Park West; a building named ‘La Scala’ was located at that address.) 13. Carnegie Lyceum (#20): Some histories suggest that “Carnegie Lyceum” was the name of Carnegie Hall in 1912, but this was not so. Carnegie Hall was the proper name in 1912, and the Carnegie Lyceum was the recital hall below the main hall (today's Zankel Hall, originally “Recital Hall”).
14. Home of Mrs. Helen Viele Tatum (widow) (#21) See New York Times Oct. 30, 1910: “Leases: Mrs. M. E. Alexander has leased a duplex apartment in 130 West Fifty- seventh Street for Mrs. Helen V. Tatum….”
“See New York Times Oct. 17, 1909 article: “Rebuilding 57th St. Block Adjacent to Carnegie Hall:” “One of the noteworthy examples of the rebuilding process that is going on all over the midtown district is to be found in the block on the south side of Fifty-seventh Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, where about gifteen of the old brownstone-front dwellings have been demolished with the last two years to make way for modern twelve-story structures. Exclusive of the Sixth and Seventh Avenue corners, over half of the total frontage on this block has recently undergone reimprovement, the new structures being the Lotus Club, the two cooperative studio apartment houses at 130 to 140 West Fifty-seventh Street, and the St Hubert apartment house. The proximity of this property to Carnegie Hall has, no doubt, had much to do with determining the character of the new buildings which have been erected thereon, while the opportunities for the much-coveted north light on the southerly side of a 100-foot street have also proved an attraction for the artists. Besides these considerations, there is the further probability that Fifty-seventh Street is soon to become a great cross-town thoroughfare. The new structures at 130 to 140 West Fifty-seventh Street, which were put up by the Co-operative Building Construction Company, stand on a frontage of 160 feet. In their interior arrangement these present several novel features, containing duplex apartments of eleven rooms and four baths and, besides these, small suites of three rooms and bath, with kitchenette, as well as single studios.”
Juliet Thompson wrote: “The people who were there were of the fashionable world, with a sprinkling of artists and writers. Mrs. Sheridan was pouring tea. Mrs Tatum's house is beautiful. The impression you get is of space and light. A white staircase winds up through a very wide hall, from which, on each side, rooms open -- living rooms, dining room, library. All these were soon crowded. The girst friend I caught sight of was Louis Potter…”
As for Mrs. Tatum, the New York Times published her obituary on March 18, 1913: “TATUM.- Suddenly, at her residence, 130 West 57th St., Sunday, March 16, Helen Viele Tatum, wife of the late Dr. Edward Tatum. Funeral services from the Church of the Ascension, 5th Av. and 10th St., Tuesday, March 18, 11 A. M. Interment private.” Juliet Thompson never mentions her girst name Helen, always referring to her as “Mrs. Tatum.”
She writes of the Master’s foresight about her death: “In December of that same year (1912), Mrs Tatum came to see me. ‘The Master,’ she told me, ‘said such a strange thing to me just before He left America. I had been saying how sorry I was that I had left my car in Boston and couldn't put it at His disposal as I had done last spring. He answered: “Soon, Mrs Tatum, you will not need your car, for you will be riding in a chariot of gire.” I wonder, Juliet, what He meant by that!’ Within a few weeks, dear Mrs Tatum died suddenly.”
Helen Viele Tatum was born Helen (or Nelly) Viele in 1856, so she was about 56 years old in 1912. She married a bank clerk, George Welles Perkins, in the late 1870s, and had three children by him: Alice, Ruth and Georgie. Mr. Perkins became President of Mercantile National Bank in 1880 but was in poor health and died on Dec. 27, 1882. A few weeks later, Helen’s youngest child, Georgie passed away as well.
Helen remarried sometime between 1883 and 1889 to Dr. Edward Tatum, who worked with Thomas Edison and became known for his experiments with electricity used as a more humane means of execution (Edison opposed capital punishment all together). Edward died on March 29, 1891 of heart failure, so Helen V. Tatum certainly suffered her share of heartache.
15. Genealogical Hall (#22): 226 West 58th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue (Bahá 'ı́ News, Promulgation of Universal Peace, and Balyuzi said "252 West 58th Street" which doesn’t match up with any Google reference to the Genealogical Hall.) "Entrance to Genealogical Hall, 226 West 58th Street, the Society's home 1896-1929"
16. Miss Harriet Phillips's studio apartment (#24): The apartment building at 39 W. 67th St. housed 22 families, including Miss Phillips: 1910 Census record at that address: Name: Harriet Phillips – Artist (“working on Own Account”) Age in 1910: 60 Birth Year: 1850 Birthplace: New York Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 22, New York, New York Race: White Gender: Female Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Single Father's Birthplace: New York Mother's Birthplace: New York Household Members: Harriet Phillips 60 Julia Kuchta 23 (from Hungary)
17. Home of Mountfort and Adele Mills (#26) 1910 Census: 327 West End Ave., NYC Name: Montefort Mills (sic) Age in 1910: 35 Birth Year: 1875 Birthplace: Massachusetts Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 22, New York, New York Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Adele M Mills Father's Birthplace: Massachusetts Mother's Birthplace: Massachusetts Household Members: Name Age Montefort Mills 35 - lawyer (ofgice) Adele M Mills 36 - wife Alphonsine Coquelle 23 - servant Delia Grifgin 23 - servant Elizabeth Garner 35 - servant
18. Home of Dr. Florian and Mrs. Grace Krug (#28) 830 Park Ave. between East 75th and East 76th Streets. (Address veriQied in 1913, 1914 NYC Directories: “Krug, Florian physician 616 Madison av h830 Park av”) See New York Times, Oct. 29, 1911 advertisement: “Pease and Elliman offer the following high class apartments for rent: …830 Park Ave. New Building corner of 76th St. – 8 Rooms, 2 Baths (Private entrance).. $2750 9 Rooms, 3 Baths…………………… $3,500 12 Rooms, 3 Baths…………………..$4,000 12 Rooms, 4 Baths………………….$4,500 … (individual laundry with each apartment)”
Several NYTimes articles indicate that “Mrs. Florian Krug” was a professional golfer. 19. Central Park (#29) Mahmud, November 21, 1912: “After a short talk in which He encouraged the friends to establish love and harmony among themselves and to make every effort in the Cause of God, He walked to Broadway and then to Central Park. He was not pleased with the dense population and the height of the buildings, saying: `These are injurious to the public's health. This population should be in two cities, the buildings should be lower and the streets should be tree-lined as they are in Washington. How can these two places compare?' “Indeed, the condition of New York City is strange and its population so large that in addition to surface streets, there are three railway lines running the entire length of the city; one underground, another on the surface and a third above the streets on bridges about two stories high. These railway lines are continuously Qilled with people and are their mode of transportation. On some of the streets, automobiles and carriages have to stop for some 10 to 15 minutes because of the congestion until the trafQic ofQicers give them permission to continue. “Most buildings are from 17 to 18 stories high and each Qloor has some 20 to 30 apartments, most of which have bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, bathrooms with hot and cold running water and many comforts.”
20. Home of Mr. Henry F. “Frank” and Mrs. Amelia Champney (#31) 1910 Census: 309 West 78th Street, New York Name: Henry F Champney Age in 1910: 85 Birth Year: 1825 Birthplace: New Hampshire Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 22, New York, New York Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Amelia K Champney, age 60, born in New Brunswick, Canada Father's Birthplace: New Hampshire Mother's Birthplace: New Hampshire Household Members: Name Age Henry F Champney 85 Amelia K Champney 60 - wife Helen Hanson 87 - mother-in-law, age 87, born in Ireland Minnie Wilkins 45 - servant, age 45 21. Theosophical Lodge or Theosophical Society (#33): 2228 Broadway on SE corner of West 80th Street (Promulgation of Universal Peace says Broadway and 79th; should be Broadway and West 80th Street; Broadway & West 79th Street is "Spreters Dry Goods")
22. Home of Mrs. Charlotte Segler (#34) 132 West 90th Street, between Amsterdam & Columbus See Mahmud p. 169-170 and footnote 202: “The Master returned to New York in the morning and went directly to Mrs. Sieglar’s (sic) home to see her mother who was unable to walk because of a foot ailment but who longed to see the beloved Master and attain His presence. When her desire was made known to the Master, He immediately decided to visit her. The ailing woman was very pleased and happy and found in ‘Abdu’l-Baha the fruit of her life and a feeling that she had been newly born.”
Note: Her mother was Bertha Segler listed as an “invalid” in the 1915 New York Census.
Juliet Thompson (p. 345) reported that “…the Master had several appointments Monday…” but she makes no mention of Mrs. Segler. Star of the West lists Charlotte Segler as a member and contributor of the Persian-American Education Society: William Hoar, President; Joseph H. Hannen, Secretary; Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, Treasurer (see Nov. 4, 1910, p. 6; May 17, 1911, p. 2; Nov. 4, 1913, p. 221).
The 1910, 1920 and 1930 U.S. Censuses and the 1915 New York Census indicate that she lived at 132 West 90th Street with her mother, Bertha Segler. Charlotte was born Sept. 4, 1875 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her parents, Frederick Segler and Bertha Schroeder Segler were both born in Germany. Charlotte was a secretary in real estate according to the 1910 Census.
23. Home of Marshall L. & Annette W. L. Emery (#35) 1910 Census: 273 West 90th St. – Ward 12 Name: Marshall L Emery - Architect Age in 1910: 46 Birth Year: abt 1870 Birthplace: New York Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York Race: Mulatto Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Annette W L Emery (she and her parents born in NY) Father's Birthplace: New York Mother's Birthplace: New York Household Members: Name Age Marshall L Emery 46 Annette W L Emery 40 - Wife Daniel T Gerie 30 - Lodger, Stock Broker Eugene Burnde 37 - Servant
24. Home of Hooper & Gertrude Harris (#37)? `Abdu’l-Bahá visited their home on July 11, Thursday, where? Juliet Thompson indicates (pp. 335-336) they lived on 95th Street near West End Avenue (in a “tenement house neighborhood”). Apparently the Harrises moved from Newark, NJ to New York City in the summer of 1912, or maintained two residences. `Abdu’l- Bahá visited the Harrises in Newark on June 26 or 27, then later walked to their home on 95th Street in New York City on July 11.
The following listings appeared in the Newark, NJ and New York City directories: 1909 Newark, NJ Directory "Harris, W. Hooper h 70 Beverly" 1910 Newark, NJ Directory “Harris, W. Hooper h 70 Beverly” 1911 Newark, NJ Directory “Harris, W. Hooper h 1180 Broad” 1912 Newark, NJ Directory “Harris, W. Hooper steno N Y h 1180 Broad”
1913 Directories: No listing in New York City or Newark, NJ under Hooper Harris, or W. Hooper Harris, Wm H Harris, or any Harris on W. 95th; and no "Hooper"
1914 NYC Directory: “Harris, Hooper, stenog 32 Nassau R476 h151 W99th” 1915 NYC Directory: “Harris, Hooper, pres Acme Law Reporting Co h2183 Washn av”
Note that, when compared to the Census data, the directories were 6 months to a year out of date. So if Hooper Harris had been listed in the 1913 NYC Directory, the 95th Street address would likely have been listed.
25. Home of Edward B. and Carrie H. Kinney (#38) 780 West End Ave 1910 Census: 257 West 86th Street, NY Name: Edward B Kinney - "Music, Composing, Vocal Teaching" Age in 1910: 41 [47] Birth Year: abt 1863 Birthplace: New York Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Carrie H Kinney Father's Birthplace: Connecticut Mother's Birthplace: New York Household Members: Name Age Edward B Kinney 41 [47] Carrie H Kinney 32 Edward S Kinney 9 ["Sanford"in Juliet Thompson's Diary] Howard Kinney 5 William Davis 22 - Butler Clara Davis 24 - Servant - Cook Susan Davis 18 - Servant - Waitress Frances C Sterling 35 - Servant - Waitress
After `Abdu’l-Bahá left New York for Europe, the Kinneys apparently had trouble holding on to their home:
New York Times, Mar 12, 1913, pg. 3 ACCUSES BUILDERS OF WRECKING HOME: E. B. Kinney Asks Court to Enjoin T. J. McLaughlin's Sons from Doing Further Damage : Had Refused to Sell Lease : Then Holes Were Punched in His Chimney and Walls, He Avers, and His Yard Undermined.
Edward B. Kinney, who was choirmaster of St. George's Church under the Rev. Dr. Rainsford and now has a studio at his home, 780 West End Avenue, applied yesterday in the Supreme Court to Justice Davis for an injunction to restrain T. J. McLaughlin's Sons from doing further damage to his residence. As a result of building operations on the adjoining property, it is alleged, a hole has been cut in Mr. Kinney's chimney, which prevents him from using his kitchen range. Five large holes have been driven through the lower wall on one side of his house on the excuse of 'underpinning,' and the greater part of his yard has been cut away. "Mr. Kinney's wife appealed yesterday to Borough President McAlleny to investigate the use made of the permit granted by the Building Department to the builders to underpin or shore up the house. She is convinced that the permit has been abused, and that if it was necessary to underpin the house at all, it was quite unreasonable to cut holes about two feet by three through the outer wall to admit supports which are very much smaller. "Mr. Kinney took the house on a two-year lease from Oct. 1, 1913. T. J. McLaughlin's Sons bought the house, which stands at the corner of West End Avenue and Ninety- eighth Street, as well as two or three of the adjoining houses in West End Avenue, in order to put up a large apartment house. The girm wanted Mr. Kinney to move last Autumn, but as he had just established a connection in the neighborhood and had advertised widely for pupils for this Winter he refused to give up his lease. "Building operations began on Jan. 2. Thomas G. Wallace of 936 West End Avenue, the contractor employed by T. J. McLaughlin's Sons to demolish the adjoining houses, in a remarkable afgidavit gile with Mr. Kinney's complaint, makes the charge that instructions were given that as much noise as possible was to be made in the work. Moreover, Mr. Wallace states that he was ordered to pull down the chimney breasts of Mr. Kinney's house, and that he was present when some of his men, under instructions, dropped bricks and rubbish down the chimney of 780 West End Avenue… [The Kinneys received further support from inspectors, etc. who all giled afgidavits.] "Justice Davis took the papers and reserved (sic) his decision."
26. Home of Mrs. Asa Cochran or Asenath W. Cochran (#40) 514 West 114th Street (see 1910 through 1930 Census’s) According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Asenath Cochran was a music teacher living at the above address with her second oldest daughter, Olea (age 24). In 1900 (see 1900 census), she and her husband, John W. Cochran, lived at 128 West 137th Street; yet in 1910 and 1920, they lived in separate residences, though Asenath was listed as “married.” John W. Cochran was living in the Bronx as a “boarder.” By 1930, Asenath was “widowed.” The 1900 Census indicates Asenath was born in June, 1854 in Kentucky (coinciding with the 1880 census record), so she was about 58 years old in 1912 when she hosted `Abdu’l-Bahá . John was a “watchman” by profession and was born in Wisconsin in Dec., 1847. Their oldest daughter, Adelaide was born in California in Feb. 1880, married a Mr. Pond around 1901 and was also a music teacher by 1920. Olea was born in Vancouver, Washington in March, 1885 and was listed as a musician still living with her mother in 1930.
27. Home of Frank K. & Georgianna Moxey (#43) 575 Riverside Dr., “West Point” apts. constructed about 1911. See Promulgation of Universal Peace p. 442: "Talk at the Home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank K. Moxey, 575 Riverside Drive.
Frank Moxey was listed in the New York City Directories of 1913 and 1914 as follows: "Moxie Co. 22 Laight & 61 Varick" "Moxie (sic), Frank h:575 Riverside drive"
They soon moved to South Orange, N. J. where they remained active Bahá 'ı́s to the end of their lives (see Star of the West, May 17, 1920, p. 64; Bahá 'ı́ News, May-June 1925, p. 7).
Mahmud p.160: "Foremost among such poets was Mr [Frank K.] Moxey. When 'Abdu'l-Baha was staying in New York, Mr. Moxey had written a booklet eloquently praising Him, which he intended to publish in the near future."
Mahmud p. 162: "Mr Moxey described 'Abdu'l-Baha's walks in that park in a beautiful poem." Mahmud p. 399: "November 18… The Master was invited by the poet Mr Moxey and Mrs Moxey for supper. The hosts were among the devoted friends of 'Abdu'l-Baha and they were eloquent in their praise of Him. During the Master's previous visit to New York Mr Moxey had written a book of poetry, describing the demeanor, majesty and power of the Master. Mrs. Moxey, who was a famous musician, opened the gathering by playing the piano and singing a melodious song of praise in His honor."
Baha'i News, June 1927: p. 9: "The friends of Newark and vicinity on May 11 gathered in the home of Mrs. Frank Moxey in South Orange for the Baha'i services held for our devoted brother and faithful servant, Mr. Frank Moxey. Baha'i prayers and tablets were read by Mr. Hooper Harris and Mr. Mountfort Mills."
Baha'i News, August 1934: "In Memoriam for Mrs. Frank Moxey of Newark, N.J and Hooper Harris of NYC.”
Baha'i News, August 1934, p. 5: “In Memorium: The friends are requested to remember in prayer these believers who have ascended to the Kingdom. ...Mrs. Frank Moxey, Newark”
Frank K. Moxey was born in England in 1861, emigrated to the U. S. about 1862, and died in New Jersey in May, 1927. Georgianna Moxey was born in England in 1871 and died in New Jersey in August, 1934.
28. Home of Arthur Pillsbury Dodge and his wife, Elizabeth Dodge (#44) 261 West 139th Street 1910 Census at that address: Arthur P. Dodge (60), lawyer in law ofgice Age in 1910: 60 Birth Year: abt 1850 Birthplace: New Hampshire Home in 1910: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Head Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Dodge Father's Birthplace: New Hampshire Mother's Birthplace: New Hampshire Household Members: Name Age Arthur P Dodge 60 Elizabeth Dodge 61 - wife (born in Mass., as were her parents) Richard P Dodge 20 - son (born in Mass.) Evelyn Goodger 22 - lodger Eva S Henry 40 - lodger Karoline Z Jones 22 - lodger George M Mcelroy 30 - lodger Anna Mcelroy 28 - lodger