CCNY's historic Shepard Hall. Photo credit: Elemental Architecture, LLC.
City College of New York’s Shepard Hall, a gothic revival masterpiece designed by the legendary George Browne Post more than a century ago, is the winner of a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.
This is the second Moses Award for restoration work on the 111-year-old Harlem edifice, a national landmark. In 1997, The Great Hall, located on the second floor of Shepard Hall, received the honor.
The latest accolade is in recognition of the exterior preservation of Shepard. Renowned architect Carl Stein led the almost three decade-long project that was completed last December. It included replacing more than 70,000 terra cotta pieces using modern technology and materials while remaining faithful to Post’s neo-gothic artistic vision.
“The honor of interacting with this historic and architectural landmark has, in itself, been a post-graduate education,” said Stein.
CCNY President Vince Boudreau hailed the award. “Shepard Hall is the spiritual center of City College and the very first building erected on our campus,” he said. “It is also one of the architectural embodiments of the sacred nature of public education. It is deeply gratifying that a building that has had so much meaning to generations of City College students, faculty and staff has received this attention. We are deeply grateful for the honor.”
The coveted Moses Awards are the Conservancy’s highest honors for excellence in preservation. They are named for Lucy G. Moses, a dedicated New Yorker whose generosity benefited the City for more than 50 years. The Awards have recognized individuals, organizations, and building owners for their extraordinary contributions to the City.
“The Conservancy is grateful for the generous support of the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, which makes the Awards possible,” said Andrea Goldwyn, its director of public policy.
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the awards. They will be presented May 8 at the historic St. Bartholomew's Church – a 2018 Moses Award recipient as well – in mid-Manhattan.
About the New York Landmarks Conservancy
The New York Landmarks Conservancy has led the effort to preserve and protect New York City’s architectural legacy for 45 years. Since its founding, the Conservancy has loaned and granted more than $40 million, which has leveraged more than $1 billion in some 2,000 restoration projects throughout New York, revitalizing communities, providing economic stimulus and supporting local jobs. The Conservancy’s work across the City and State protects New York’s distinctive architectural heritage for residents and visitors alike today, and for future generations
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. Today The Chronicle of Higher Education ranks CCNY #2 among public colleges with the greatest success in ensuring the social mobility of our student body; at the same time the Center for world University Rankings places it in the top 1.2% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. More than 16,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight professional schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.