Did you know that the iconic lions outside the New York Public Library’s main branch have names? ๐ฆ Patience and ๐ฆ Fortitude were named by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during the Great Depression to symbolize the resilience and strength of New Yorkers.
The library’s construction began in 1899, and it took 12 years to complete. When it opened its doors on May 23, 1911, it was the largest marble structure in the U.S.! Even President William Howard Taft laid its cornerstone, and J.P. Morgan, one of America’s wealthiest men, was there at the grand opening.
The library’s Rose Main Reading Room is so massive, it spans two city blocks, making it one of the largest reading rooms in the world! The NYPL's collections include rare medieval manuscripts, ancient Japanese scrolls, and other historical documents that have inspired and informed scholars, artists, and writers. The library has a free Treasures exhibition that features some of the library's most amazing artifacts. It is one of New York’s most overlooked Treasures!
