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Collections

New York Postcard Collection Lantern Slide Collection Cooper Union Stock Photo The Stanley Prowler Collection The Blueprint Collection Cooper Union Stock Photo Cooper Union Stock Photo Cooper Union Stock Photo
New York Postcard Collection

The collections of Architecture Archive have grown organically over the years, in keeping with the evolving program of the office. In addition to the primary collection of student work, the Archive maintains an extensive blueprint collection of major works of architecture, a collection of thousands of 4 x 5 glass slides formerly used by Cooper Union faculty to teach History of Architecture and Town Planning, and an assortment of photographs and negatives relating to the history of the New York City Waterfront. Recent acquisitions include a collection of New York City Postcards donated by Joseph Covino (1999, 2003) and a collection of travel photos taken by architect Stanley Prowler (2006).

Other photographic materials housed in the Archive include a cross section of studio candid photos dating back to the 1890s, installation photos of School of Architecture exhibitions and images related to previous publications and special projects produced by the office.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.