The New York building cost $9 million to build and from laying of first stone to stamping of first book took 9 years to build. It was the largest marble structure in America at the time.
Incidentally, a precursor to the building was the Astor library. The First President of the board of that library was none other than Washington Irving, son of Orkney lad William Irving. The Irving family came from Quholm on the island of Shapinsay.
We shall be celebrating our sister library's birthday today by eating enormous pastrami sandwiches, blasting Frank Sinatra's 'New York New York and shouting "HEY! What are you lookin' at? You talkin' to ME?" every time a customer catches our eye.
Oh, I've had such fun this morning! I keep forgetting to come check the blog, and so I got to read all the posts today. I laughed, and chuckled, and wept one tiny tear for y'all (a Texan word which means everyone; it is not a boat. A boat is a yawl. If you tell a Texan a yawl is a boat, he looks at you funny!) on the news that your favorite band was disbanding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for making it so much fun to visit the blog. I hope, maybe, one day, I can come see you in the Archives.
Sue.
Thanks for your kind words, Sue. We're glad you enjoy the blog. We certainly enjoy writing it!
DeleteI enjoy your blog. Thank you!
ReplyDelete