Evelyn G. Haynes (1909-2001) was a preservationist and a member of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission during its earliest days. A native New Yorker, she grew up in Brooklyn Heights, attended Smith College, and was an editor at Vogue, where she worked from the 1930s to the mid – 1950s.

This collection of her records, correspondences, and archival material, largely from the 1960s to the 1980s, is mainly composed of photographs, sketching, writings, and historic materials connected to the creation of the Greenwich Village Historic District, the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Upper Manhattan, and the architecture of Greenwich Village row houses.

Table of Contents

94-96 Greenwich Street Research

These are Haynes’ copies of the Historic American Buildings Survey records for 94, 94 ½, and 96 Greenwich Street, which were three of only eight surviving New York City town houses originally built in the 18th century (Village Preservation fought to have all three landmarked; No. 94 was landmarked and survives, while 94 ½ and 96 were not and were disfigured). In these research reports, dated October of 1965, Haynes notes these buildings were designed in the Late Georgian style and built in 1798 and 1799. Each record includes notable features, historic significance, and a description of the buildings.

94½ and 96 Greenwich Street Building Surveys from October 1965. View as PDF.

94, 94½ , and 96 Greenwich Street Research Report from October 1965. View as PDF.

94, 94½ , and 96 Greenwich Street Handwritten Research Notes from October
1965. View as PDF.

Haynes Recommends Ruth Wittenberg Be Appointed to LPC

These documents include Evelyn Haynes’ specific suggestions and recommendations for
new commissioners of the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC). Each document
contains character and professional testimonies for different individuals. The first document is a list of different individuals and their accomplishments, while the second and third (written by Haynes and Verna Smalls, respectively, in May, 1968) specifically recommend Ruth Wittenberg.

Haynes’ Initial Suggestions to Hecksher, and Hecksher’s Response in May
1968. View as PDF.

Verna Small’s Letters to Hecksher (May 1968). View as PDF.

News Clippings

These news clippings include various op-eds and articles published in the Village Voice and the New York Times from 1966 to 1969. The authors in these articles highlight how real estate developers threaten Greenwich Village’s historic buildings if no actions towards preservation are taken. The articles additionally draw comparisons and contrasts between how officials on the Landmarks Commission talk in the media about Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Heights as historic districts, with LPC officials advocating for Brooklyn Heights more strongly than Greenwich Village. The Greenwich Village Historic District was finally designated in 1969, as documented in the Villager’s May 1969 article.

Village Voice articles. View as PDF.

  • December 1966 Leticia Kent Article concerning Greenwich Village
    Historic District proposals
  • February 2, 1967 Verna Small and Lewis Mumford Op-Eds calling for
    Greenwich Village Historic District designation
  • February 9, 1967 ‘Threatened City’ Article
  • February 16, 1967 Leticia Kent Op-Ed Criticizing LPC
  • November 28, 1968 Mary Perot Nichols Op-Ed questioning LPC
    effectiveness

The Villager assorted articles concerning the Greenwich Village Historic District
designation process. View as PDF.

Letters to the Villager. View as PDF.

  • Verna Small
  • Geraldine Mindell
  • John Shields

New York Times Articles.

  • February 6, 1967 “Undermining Landmarks Law” and Correction. View as PDF.
  • October 4, 1967 “Vanishing New York” Article by Wittenberg and Small. View as PDF.
  • Articles regarding Gothic Revival Row Houses near Grace Church. View as PDF.
  • Law Journal Clipping about Giggs v. LPC. View as PDF.
Research on Paint Colors in Historic Districts

This report contains Haynes’ extensive research into theory and analysis pertaining to colors used in different architectural styles in different historic districts in New York City. Haynes gathers evidence from 19th century photographic and written resources from the New-York Historical Society and the Museum of the City of New York to support her research on different architectural styles’ characteristics. Haynes additionally analyzes the Greek Revival’s significance in the city in the 1820s to 1840s. This also includes Haynes’
handwritten notes on doorway color significance.

Research Notes from 1969. View as PDF.

  • Research Report
  • Handwritten Notes on Doorway Paint Colors

Correspondence About Research. View as PDF.

  • Memo to Michael Gold (Written 1969)
  • Draft Letter to Harmon with Handwritten Edits (Written July 15, 1969)
Brooklyn Heights Historic District

This report contains data about the building types in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District
from the 19th century, categorized by decade and architectural style. The Brooklyn Heights Association Letter to Ruth Wittenberg, written in January 1967, states that Brooklyn Heights’ new residents valued the neighborhood’s historic preservation and significance, and the area’s designation as a historic district would increase the area’s long-term desirability.

District Date and Style Data. View as PDF.

Brooklyn Heights Association Letter to Ruth Wittenberg, January 26th, 1967. View as PDF.

Maps for Proposed Greenwich Village Historic District

These maps show different proposals for the boundaries of historic districts to be considered in Greenwich Village, particularly one large district vs. 18 smaller non-contiguous ones.

The first two maps are color coded to show original boundaries, proposed areas removed
and included. The latter maps show proposed ideas on breaking Greenwich Village up into
multiple areas, or keeping it as one unified area. View as PDF.

Map of Proposal 1 (Single Historic District). View as PDF.

Alternative Map (18 Separate Districts). View as PDF.

Support for Designation of one large contiguous Greenwich Village Historic District (aka “Proposal 1”)

These statements and testimonies are from officials and organizations in support of Proposal 1, which would designate Greenwich Village as one united historic district. Prominent letter writers included the Association of Village Homeowners, Giorgio Cavaglieri (the architect for the restoration and preservation of the Jefferson Market Library), and James Fitch (architecture professor and in charge of the graduate program in Restoration and Preservation of Historic Architecture at Columbia University). The alternative solution would be to break Greenwich Village into 18 smaller separate historic districts, shown on the alternative map. Through letters and testimonies, different community members advocate for Proposal 1, which they believe would strengthen the Village’s overall culture and history. These letters and notes from public hearings for Proposal 1 were dated and written in February 1967.

Statements for Proposal 1. View as PDF.

  • Letter from Beck (February 24, 1967)
  • Letter from Camisa (December 31, 1966)
  • Letter from Davison (February 26, 1967)
  • Letter from Edelson (February 20, 1967)
  • Letter from Jacobs (February 25, 1967)
  • Letter from McQuade (February 22, 1967)
  • Letter from Nichols (February 21, 1967)
  • Letter from Rosenfeld (February 24, 1967)
  • Letter from Schary (February 04, 1967)
  • Letter from Tafel (February 22, 1967)
  • Letter from Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton (December 19, 1966)
  • Letter from Upham and Meeker (December 19, 1966)

Establishing a Greenwich Village Historic District. Letter from the Greenwich Village Historic District Council Supporting Proposal 1. View as PDF.

Greenwich Village Historic District Council Legal Brief Supporting Proposal 1
December 21, 1966. View as PDF.

Regina Kellerman’s Annotation of Haynes’ Greenwich Village Landmarks Draft Designation Report Area 6

These papers, written by Evelyn Haynes, detail the different histories and architectural styles of buildings in Greenwich Village and the West Village at each respective address. Each contains a detailed history about each street covered, how it acquired its name, and significant events that occurred there. Haynes’ detailed reports discuss how these buildings were influenced by prominent European architectural styles. Regina Kellerman’s annotations of Greenwich Village Landmarks Designation Report Area 6 check Haynes’ writing for sentence fluency and clarity regarding architecture and aesthetic details. In Kellerman’s letter to Haynes, written in July 1968, Kellerman talks about how the writers that worked on Draft Designation Report Area 6 are unqualified in their knowledge of architectural history and use of primary sources, thus further delaying the Greenwich Village Historic District completion.

Regina Kellerman’s Cover Letter to Haynes (Written in July 11, 1968). View as PDF.

Annotated Greenwich Village Landmarks Designation Report Sections

Barrow Street. View as PDF.

Washington Square North West Side – Fifth Avenue to MacDougal. View as PDF.

Bleecker Street. View as PDF.

Bedford Street. View as PDF.

West Fourth Street and West Tenth Street. View as PDF.

Seventh Avenue. View as PDF.

St. Luke’s Place. View as PDF.

Morton Street. View as PDF.

Leroy Street. View as PDF.

Hudson Street. View as PDF.

Grove Street. View as PDF.

Greenwich Street. View as PDF.

Commerce Street. View as PDF.

Christopher Street. View as PDF.

Map of Greenwich Village Area 6. View as PDF.

LPC Administrative Documents Prior to Designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District

From 1966 to 1969, as it was considering historic district designation for the area, the
Landmarks Preservation Committee drafted many resources about the history of Greenwich Village to support the argument for designation. This section also includes letters and memos to and from the Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair from that period, as well as various documents including memos, resolutions, reports, and meeting minutes pertaining to the formation of the Greenwich Village Historic District.

Robert Mandel Letter to Platt on Behalf of Ruth Wittenberg (Written February 21,
1967). View as PDF.

Signed Designation Report Acknowledgments Page (Copyright 1969). View as PDF.

Kellerman’s Draft for Commission Report on Greenwich Village (Written October
03, 1966). View as PDF.

Memos Concerning the Greenwich Village Designation Report. View as PDF.

  • Memo from Evelyn Haynes to Commissioners regarding errors and mistakes on the Greenwich Village Designation Report. (1968)
  • Memo from Commissioner Platt to Haynes about hiring a trained architectural historian or preservationist to help reduce mistakes and bring more experience to their work. (1968)
  • Memo from Commissioner Platt to Haynes saying he doesn’t understand her dissatisfaction with the Designation Report, while he approves of the report. (Written September 16, 1968)

Excerpts from Geoffrey Platt’s Statements at a Meeting of the Greenwich Village
Association (May 03, 1966). View as PDF.

Notes on Meeting w/ Humstone about GVHD Zoning (April 28, 1969). View as PDF.

LPC Resolution and Minutes Adopting Designation Report and Confirming
Designation (Meeting on April 29, 1969). View as PDF.

Community Board 2 Documents

View as PDF.

  • Resolution for December 15, 1968 Community Board 2 meeting.
  • Detailed report and officials’ names for Community Board 2 meeting on December 15, 1968.
  • Meeting minutes for the Community Board 2 meeting (December 15, 1968)
  • Community testimony on how preserving and historically recognizing Greenwich Village’s importance contributes to its culture
LPC Administrative Documents 1968-1971

Including annual budget and staff salary reports from 1968 to 1971. In 1972, the New York City Council sought to expand LPC jurisdiction.

The Landmarks Preservation Fund Original Founding Resolution, Memorandum
from Geoffrey Platt, and Fund Ledger (Written December 10, 1968). View as PDF.

NYC City Council 1972 Resolution to Expand LPC Jurisdiction (October 10,
1972). View as PDF.

LPC Salaries and Budget 1968-1971 (1971). View as PDF.

List of LPC Honorary Chairmen. View as PDF.

Miscellaneous Letters. View as PDF.
This collection of letters was written by or addressed to the Landmarks Preservation
Committee.

  • Letter by Alden Condict to LPC in hopes of including the Bayard-Condict Building in the Greenwich Village Historic District. (February 04, 1967)
  • Letter by Geoffrey Platt, Chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Committee, addressed to Dr. William Cahan (President of East Sixties Property Owners Association) that several buildings owned by the association’s members were now covered by the Treadwell Farm Historic District (located on Upper East Side). (December 20, 1967)
  • Letter from Michael Gold (Executive Assistant for the Landmarks Preservation Committee addressed to Cobble Hill Association about which street boundaries designated the Cobble Hill Historic District. (December 09, 1968)
  • 1972 letter addressed to the Brooklyn Heights Association regarding several previous violations. (December 09, 1968)
  • Letter from Evie Haynes to Harmon. (April 02, 1972)

Miscellaneous Internal Documents. View as PDF.

  • Letter from Evelyn Haynes to Harmon.
  • LPC schedule of landmark hearings and locations across different boroughs in 1970.
  • Agenda for Commissioner’s meeting on December 08, 1970
  • Timeline of dates for the East 82nd Street Historic District application
  • Scope of service and responsibilities for various historic districts on the Upper East Side
Municipal Art Society, the Frick Museum, and the Widener House Dispute

View as PDF. In the early 1970s, shortly after acquiring the building, the Frick Collection sought to demolish the Widener House, located at 5 East 70th Street, in the interest of expanding their facilities. The Landmarks Preservation Committee was not aware of this until they learned the Frick had applied for a demolition permit. These documents (written in between March and April 1973) include materials from the Municipal Art Society and the Landmarks Preservation Commission responding to the situation.

  • Press release from Municipal Art Fund about Widener House demolition (March 19, 1973)
  • Letter from Paul G. Pennoyer, Counsel to Commissioner Goldstone (March 20,
    1973)
  • Letter to David Prager, President of the Municipal Art Fund (March 23, 1973)
  • Letter to Commissioner Goldstone from David Prager (March 28, 1973) – Letter to David Prager from Evelyn Haynes (April 02, 1973)
  • Article in New York Post about the Widener House dispute (March 20, 1973)
  • Letter to Laurie Beckelman from Percy Sutton (January 05, 1975)
  • Letter to Hon. Beverly Moss Spatt from Evelyn Haynes (February 11, 1974) – Letter to Ms. Edith Fisher, Chairman of Community Board #8 from Kent Barwick (June 19, 1974)
  • Scope of Services invoice and instruction sheet from Designation of Landmarks and Landmarks District. (Date unknown)
  • Memorandum from Evelyn Haynes to David Prager about a statement to the press regarding Widener House. (Date unknown)
Morris-Jumel Mansion Records

This collection of the Morris-Jumel Mansion records reflects the scope of Evelyn Haynes’
work as president of the board. All the minutes and notes for two years of meeting agendas are included. The collection also includes (but is not limited to) memos and correspondence between Haynes and others (both individuals and organizations) associated with the Morris Jumel Mansion regarding furniture, financial records, press clippings, and more.

Collection of Washington Headquarters Association Boarding Meeting Agendas
and Minutes from March 1986 to February 1988. View as PDF.

Annotated WHA By-Laws

  • 1981 By-Laws. View as PDF.
  • 1986 By-Laws. View as PDF.

News Clippings Related to Morris-Jumel Mansion. View as PDF.

Letters Related to WHA and Morris-Jumel Mansion

  • Studenroth/Matero/Haynes Dispute Over the Historic Structures Report. View as PDF.
  • Borrowed Furniture from the Met. View as PDF.
  • Dispute over ownership of Juhring Furniture. View as PDF.
  • Letters Regarding Evelyn Haynes’ Verbal Resignation. View as PDF.
  • Letters Regarding New Heat System and Tree Destruction. View as PDF.
  • Memos to Members and Trustees. View as PDF.

Miscellaneous Letters. View as PDF.

  • 1987 letter from Helene Von Rosenthiel to Haynes about the paint removal process on historical buildings.
  • List of clients (universities, museums, corporations) from Helene Von Rosenthiel.
  • List of textile and furniture consultation and care services and background information offered from Helene Von Rosenthiel
  • Memo from Annette Benda at Sotheby’s about potential costs in auctioning the
    Morris-Jumel Mansion.
  • Charlotte Elizabeth Smith’s resume (Assistant Director for Development at the New-York Historical Society)
  • Letter from John Davies Delmar to Evelyn Haynes
  • Letter from Evelyn Haynes (℅ Morris-Jumel Mansion) to the Editor, Letters of The Times in London.
  • Response from Evelyn Haynes to John Davies Delmar regarding previous correspondence
  • Memorandum from Evelyn Haynes to Jean Bartlett regarding the Morris
    Jumel Mansion’s board of directors’ inability to properly run the mansion as a museum.
  • Letter from Evelyn Haynes to Betty (Sue Beth Carter)
  • Resignation letter from Regina Kellerman to Evelyn Haynes (Kellerman resigned from the Board of Trustees at the Morris-Jumel Mansion).
  • Note from Henry Hope Reed (President of Classical America) to Evelyn
    Haynes.
  • Letter from Evelyn Haynes to the Honorable Paul O’Dwyer
  • Letter from Evelyn Haynes to Harmon, copied to Terry Benbow and William Fisher
  • Rough draft of cover letter with grant proposal attached to Greentree Foundation (℅ Morris-Jumel Mansion)
  • Letter from Mrs. Alden O. Stanton to Dr. Frank G. Matero and Evelyn Haynes about delaying the dining room renovation project due to lack of funds.
  • Professional cover letter from Susannah Elliott for the Director position at the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Elliott previously was assistant director, then interim director).
  • Susannah Elliott resume
  • Letter addressed to Roberta Krakoff, President of Board of Trustees, Washington Headquarters Association.

Morris-Jumel Mansion Financial Records. View as PDF.

Restoration Records.

Mansion Restoration Research, Scope of Work, and Cost Estimates. View as PDF.

Mansion Restoration Correspondence. View as PDF.

Washington’s Office Restoration Overview. View as PDF.

Octagon Drawing Room Restoration Overview. View as PDF.

Compiled Reports. View as PDF.

  • 1978 Annual Report of the Historian
  • Morris-Jumel Mansion Archeological Report
  • Annotated Mansion Booklet
  • Historic Structure Report Outline
  • Annotated Mansion Report
  • Octagon Drawing Room Report
  • Undated Summer Projects Report

Miscellaneous Documents. View as PDF.

  • List of Possible Deaccessions
  • 1986 Article on Deaccessions
  • Winter 1986 Newsletter
  • WHA-Parks Department Maintenance Agreement
Miscellaneous Photos

The following collection of photos capture various buildings in the South Street Seaport area on Water Street, Pearl Street, Fulton Street during the early 1970s. The building sketches are from an unknown artist.

1971 South Street Seaport Photos. View as PDF.

1973 Photo of 13 Fulton Street, Brooklyn and 1845 Woodcut of 238 Water
Street. View as PDF.

Unknown Building Photocopies and Sketches. View as PDF.