Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Why it's listed
Located in the middle of Harlem, this three-story, five-bay cut stone building opened in 1905 as the 135th Street Branch of the New York Public Library. McKim, Mead, and White designed it as an interpretation of an Italian palazzo in Renaissance Revival style, with a rusticated lower facade, smooth upper floors, a large Palladian window, four pilasters and broad projecting eaves. Inside, a vestibule and a cast and wrought iron staircase stand out. Its importance rests mostly on what the library came to hold. As Black migrants settled in Harlem, the branch began collecting materials on Black history, art and literature, and by 1925 had a Department of Negro Literature and History. In 1926 Carnegie Corporation funds bought Arthur Schomburg's collection, which grew to tens of thousands of volumes plus manuscripts, records and microfilm. Renamed the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1972, it drew scholars and writers from across the country.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is nationally significant as a long-standing center for documenting the Black experience. Since World War I the library has collected materials on Black history, art and literature, serving Harlem and scholars worldwide. The 1926 purchase of Arthur Schomburg's collection and its link to the Harlem Renaissance are central to the case. The building is also described as a pleasing example of McKim, Mead, and White's work.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 100000798. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 515 Lenox Ave.,103 W. 135th St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | — |
| Reference number | 100000798 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1905 |
| Architect / builder | McKim, Mead, and White |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Areas of significance | Black, Education |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 23, 2016 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed condition is good and the building is occupied, in use as a museum and educational library facility. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.81444, -73.94111 (Wikidata) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 100000798.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1060566
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.