The Scots Who Built New York
The Scots Who Built New York - The Artisans
Scots of all creative endeavors have come to or been part of the making of New York and
America.
"You will see who many of these Scots were, and are - from the 18 th century to the present –
seeing their contributions in their chosen endeavors.
We will be introducing people in chronological order from the time of the founding of the
United States for which New York City was the capital (from 1785 to 1790) to the present.
Also we will introduce Scots whose intellect and talents would today be called ‘influencers’
because their powers of intellect and artistic talent lent to new directions for society".
To Attend this event CLick Here.
Please support us as we complete the ‘Scots Who Built New York’ Walking Tour Maps and continue work toward a full SWBNY App!
From the earliest days, Scots have contributed much to the growth of New York City, and our series of talks titled “The Scots Who Built New York” illustrated this.
We’ve now been developing a series of walking tour maps - the first one around Lower Manhattan and Midtown East & West was launched in April 2019.
In October 2020, working with the Carnegie Corporation we added a second map to our series of Walking Tour Maps.
In 2021 we look to develop an additional map to the series covering Upper East and Upper West NYC - leading to our full mobile app so that over 90 locations around the city can be spotlighted.
In 2023 the next phase of the SWBNY is under way with our attention focused to the Boroughs of New York.
John Kinnear, historian and architect presented an illustrated talk that took one on a journey through the borough - identifying the impact of Scots and Scottish Americans on the developing of the boroughs.
An upcoming SCOTSINUS podcast will be share here - contact ASF Office for further information
Click on the link below to make a donation
Donation to the Scots who Built New York Project
 Donations single fixed contribution |
Make your own contribution or recurring monthly donation |
Scots Who Built New York Walking Tour Maps
From the earliest days, Scots have contributed much to the growth of New York City, and now the American-Scottish Foundation is proud to offer the first two walking tour maps of the city.
The first map provides historic locations around Lower Manhattan and Midtown East & West where Scottish architects, designers and engineers helped create New York City. The second map is a walking tour of Andrew Carnegie architectural contributions to the city.
 Lower & Midtown East & West Walking Tour Map One Map - $10 |
Lower & Midtown East & West Walking Tour Map Two Maps - $15 |
 Andrew Carnegie's New York Walking Tour Map One Map - $10 |
Andrew Carnegie's New York Walking Tour Map two Maps - $15 |
Lower & Midtown East & West Andrew Carnegie's New York Walking Tour Maps One Set - $15 |
Lower & Midtown East & West Andrew Carnegie's New York Walking Tour Maps Two Sets - $25 |
Past Scots Who Built New York Events
To Learn More Click Here.
The American-Scottish Foundation® is proud to have a vibrant and growing platform of Arts and Culture programming.
A leading project for the ASF at this time is The Scots Who Built New York, a series of talks chronicling the impact of Scots and Scottish Americans on the development of New York.
With research undertaken by architect and architectural historian John Kinnear, ASF developed a photographic series of talks exploring the huge contribution of Scottish-Americans to the building of New York.
Having completed the research and presentations from 1664 to the Modernists of today, we now enter Phase 2 of the project, bringing this important and fascinating history to a wider audience through:
- The Scots Who Built New York City Book (in various formats)
- The Scots Who Built New York City Walking Tour App
- The Scots Who Built New York City Map
To date, The Scots Who Built New York lecture series reflects on eras of architecture as exemplified by a leading Scottish architect of the time. Noted within the research and talks are references to other contemporary, leading Scottish American architects.
With the work around the Walking Tour App, and NY City Map, we intend to expand on that research and add in other Scottish American Landmark buildings that were built over the last 350 years.
We invite you to join us as a Sponsor or Patron of this exciting next phase of this project.
Scottish Americans and Scottish architects have been a leading force in the developing of New York and remain so today. ASF were invited to expand on the topic under the working title The Scots who Built Americas Great Cities – our first being a talk in Washington DC in October 2016, an ever expanding project!
App and Map Opportunity
Platinum $15,000 |
Associate $7,500 |
Patron $2,500 |
Friend $1,000 |
| Contributor (your choice of amount) | |
General Funding of the ASF Arts & Culture Program
Arts Patron $5,000 |
Arts Supporter $2,000 |
| Arts Friend $500 | Arts Contributor (your choice of amount) |
John Kinnear, Principal of John Kinnear Architects and President of the American Friends of the Georgian Group, has an architectural practice based in Manhattan, which undertakes projects throughout the United States.
The firm is noted for its historical preservation as well as new structures incorporating traditional design styles.
Recent projects include the restoration of the Ruth Mansion in Delaware, 26 Commerce Street in Greenwich Village, and The Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden in Hanover Square for which he was the Project Architect.
PRESS
See the latest article about the Scots Who Built New York in the London Times Here.
See articles from The Scotsman and the Daily Record on the Scots Who Built New York; and most recently, in London's Times.
PAST EVENTS
Please Join us for a talk & reception on the impact of Andrew Carnegie on the Building & Shaping of New York. For More Reservations Please click here
Click on any of the images below to view details of each past event.
On June 7, 2018, The American-Scottish Foundation, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York and The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA , hosted a talk and reception celebrating the 150th birthday of Charles Renie MacKintosh. Including a presentation on the "Influence of MacKintosh on New York " - Scots who Built New York by John Kinnear, Architect, Historian & Director, American-Scottish Foundation
In April 2017 we looked at the Scots part of the development of the City from its Dutch beginnings with a presentation entitled 1664-1750 - The Early Days. Robert Livingston, a Scot, came to New York in the 1670s and became one of the wealthiest men in the Colony. Among his business associates was Captain William Kidd, a Scot from Dundee who sailed a privateer, financed by Livingston and others. Later he was accused of piracy!
1763-1845 John McComb Jr. and his father John Sr. were major architects and builders during the reconstruction of NYC after 10 years of British occupation following the Revolution. John McComb Jr. has 8 extant Landmarks in NYC, more than any other architect to date. Among them is City Hall, Alexander Hamilton's home The Grange, and St Mark’s Church.
1845-1900 Charles McKim was senior partner in McKim Mead and White, the premier architectural firm in the United States at the turn of the 20th Century. McKim overcame personal setbacks to become one of the finest architects of the century.
Amongst his outstanding buildings are The Loeb Library and The University Club, his jewel. We suffer at the loss of Pennsylvania Station, which in passing led to the creation of NYC's Landmark Preservation Commission.
Andrew Carnegie is the ultimate "rags to riches story" in the history of the United States and two talks have been undertaken around Carnegie and his Legacy. Carnegie’s contributions to industry and in particular the impact of the steel industry are examined, for it is steel which changed the way we build.
Through Carnegie’s philanthropy buildings were built and thousands of libraries created around the world. New York became Andrew's home and he left us many buildings which to this day are dynamic city treasures. What made Carnegie? This we attempt to discover in The Life & Impact of Andrew Carnegie on the Building & Shaping of New York.
1880 onwards - The Modernist period begins in 1880. Carnegie’s steel has made tall buildings possible and economical, Otis’s elevators have made height accessible. Architects have been released from the bounds of masonry supported buildings. New expression of forms and greater use of glass are now possible. Engineering becomes the partner of the architect in the design of buildings ever taller and ever more efficient.
The Scots who Built American Cities - Scottish Americans and Scottish architects have been a leading force in the developing of New York and remain so today.
ASF have been invited to expand on the topic under the working title The Scots who Built American Cities – our first was a talk in Washington DC in October 2016.
Click to view video
As part of our Landmarks 50 involvement and as a co-sponsor, the Museum of the City of New York have asked us to spread the word and are giving ASF Members and Friends a special discount to its Saving Place public programs series.
See the full listing of 2016 events here.
The Saving Place public programs series is made possible through the generous support of the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation. The symposium is co-sponsored by Historic Districts Council, The Municipal Art Society, New York Preservation Archive Project, New York Landmarks Conservancy, and is co-presented with AIA New York Chapter | Center for Architecture, AIANY Historic Building Committee and the American-Scottish Foundation.
Click for more details and to reserve. Use code SAVE50
The City Museum's exhibition Saving Place: 50 years of New York City Landmarks, was on view from April 21. 2015 to January 3, 2016.
TICKETS
Free for Museum members; $12 for students/seniors; $16 for general public. As a Saving Place public programs co-sponsor benefit, ASF is offered discount tickets using discount code SAVE50 — a $10 ticket instead of $16.