RIHS Invites You To Free Lecture Exploring Redevelopment Of Roosevelt Island From Visionary Master Plan By Architects Phillip Johnson And John Burgee To Present Day - Tuesday Evening March 19 At Roosevelt Island NYPL Library

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) presents: 

Redeveloping Roosevelt Island: Today's Interpolation of the 1969 Master Plan 

6:30 PM Tuesday March 19 at the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch (504 Main Street).

According to the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch: 

51 years ago, an isolated island in the East River underwent a transformation and was renamed Roosevelt Island, shedding its former identity as Welfare Island. Once home to numerous public institutions, the island has since evolved into a vibrant community that attracts thousands of tourists annually. However, many visitors and even residents remain unaware of its intricate history, encompassing decades of development in a relatively small space.

In 1969, architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee introduced the visionary master plan titled "The Island that Nobody Knows." This plan aimed to create a groundbreaking, new community as a response to the urban exodus of previous decades. Despite its positive reception, the plan fell short of complete realization. Today's Roosevelt Island reflects only a fraction of Johnson and Burgee's ambitious vision.

Join us for a presentation hosted by The Roosevelt Island Historical Society, featuring Hunter College graduate student Dylan Brown. Brown will delve into the intricate redevelopment of Roosevelt Island and illuminate how its current state diverges from the original master plan. Explore this fascinating journey through archival materials exclusively sourced from The Roosevelt Island Historical Society's collections.

Typology has more on the Roosevelt Island Master Plan.