Public Baths (New York, New York)
Encyclopedia
The Public Baths, or Asser Levy Public Baths is an historical building located at the corner of Asser Levy
Place and East 23rd Street
in Manhattan
, New York City
. It was built in 1904-1906 and designed by Arnold W. Brunner and Martin Aiken of the firm Brunner & Aiken.
The baths were an important part of the drive to alleviate sanitary problems in the city. Many New Yorkers, especially immigrants living in overcrowded tenements, had no place to bathe – a 1896 survey found that there was one bathtub in the Lower East Side
for every 79 families – and progressive social reformers pushed for the construction of public bathhouse
s modeled on those of ancient Rome
. In 1895, the state passed a law requiring that localities build public baths, but New York City did not built its first bathhouse, on Rivington Street until 1901. In 1903, the city's Department of Docks and Ferries released land for a new bathhouse on 23rd Street, which was originally called the East 23rd Street Bathhouse. The design by Brunner & Aiken in Roman Revival style was inspired by Roman baths and the "City Beautiful" movement as well.
The building now houses two swimming pools, one outdoors for use in the summer, and one indoors for the rest of the year, and a public health club. It is part of the Asser Levy Recreation Center, which also includes the Asser Levy Playground next door. Asser Levy
was one of the first Jewish
citizens of New York City, and a strong and influential advocate for civil liberties
.
The Asser Levy Public Baths building, which was restored by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
in 1988-90, was designated a New York City landmark in 1974, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1980.
Asser Levy
Asser Levy , also known as Asher Levy, was one of the first Jewish settlers of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island.-Life and career:Although it is not certain, Levy was probably born in Amsterdam...
Place and East 23rd Street
23rd Street (Manhattan)
23rd Street is a broad thoroughfare in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is one of few two-way streets in the gridiron of the borough. As with Manhattan's other "crosstown" streets, it is divided at Fifth Avenue, in this case at Madison Square Park, into its east and west sections. Since...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It was built in 1904-1906 and designed by Arnold W. Brunner and Martin Aiken of the firm Brunner & Aiken.
The baths were an important part of the drive to alleviate sanitary problems in the city. Many New Yorkers, especially immigrants living in overcrowded tenements, had no place to bathe – a 1896 survey found that there was one bathtub in the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
for every 79 families – and progressive social reformers pushed for the construction of public bathhouse
Bathhouse
Bathhouse may refer to* Public bathing, historical public baths* Gay bathhouse, a place where males, typically homosexuals, go to have sex with other customers...
s modeled on those of ancient Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. In 1895, the state passed a law requiring that localities build public baths, but New York City did not built its first bathhouse, on Rivington Street until 1901. In 1903, the city's Department of Docks and Ferries released land for a new bathhouse on 23rd Street, which was originally called the East 23rd Street Bathhouse. The design by Brunner & Aiken in Roman Revival style was inspired by Roman baths and the "City Beautiful" movement as well.
The building now houses two swimming pools, one outdoors for use in the summer, and one indoors for the rest of the year, and a public health club. It is part of the Asser Levy Recreation Center, which also includes the Asser Levy Playground next door. Asser Levy
Asser Levy
Asser Levy , also known as Asher Levy, was one of the first Jewish settlers of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island.-Life and career:Although it is not certain, Levy was probably born in Amsterdam...
was one of the first Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
citizens of New York City, and a strong and influential advocate for civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
.
The Asser Levy Public Baths building, which was restored by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
The City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation is the department of government of the City of New York responsible for maintaining the city's parks system, preserving and maintaining the ecological diversity of the city's natural areas, and furnishing recreational opportunities for city's...
in 1988-90, was designated a New York City landmark in 1974, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1980.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 14th to 59th StreetsNational Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan from 14th to 59th StreetsThis is a list of properties and districts in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.This is intended to be a complete list of properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets...
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets