Open without restrictions.
Minutes and other records of the Building Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of New York from early 1885 until April 1888.
History and Biography
The College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of New York (P&S) was established by a charter granted by the New York State Board of Regents in 1807. In 1814, students and faculty of the moribund Columbia College Medical Faculty (founded 1767) were merged into P&S. In 1860, the College amicably severed its relationship with the Regents and forged a nominal affiliation with Columbia College. However, P&S gave up none of its administrative or financial independence and it was not until 1891 that P&S fully merged into Columbia. Since 2017 it has been known as the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The Building Committee was established by the P&S Board of Trustees in 1884 to oversee the construction of its new campus on West 59th St. between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Although the new buildings were completed by December 1887, the committee was active until April 1888.
Organization
Minutes and other records of the Building Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of New York from early 1885 until April 1888. Besides the committee minutes, the volume includes reports to the Trustees, copies of outgoing correspondence, and incoming correspondence bound-in. There is much correspondence with the architect, W. Wheeler Smith; the College’s lawyer and bank; and various contractors and suppliers. Besides the medical school building, the records document the design and construction of the two other structures on the campus, Vanderbilt Clinic and Sloane Maternity Hospital (later Sloane Hospital for Women), both also designed by Smith. At the rear of the volume is a page with a chronological list of payments made, 1885-1888, and a pocket containing site plans.
Subject Headings and Related Records
Administrative Information
No information on acquisition. In Archives & Special Collections holdings by 1997.
Finding aid written by Stephen E. Novak, 2022.