Stewart, William Rhinelander, 1852-1929
Variant namesPhilanthropist, New York City.
From the description of Account books, 1872-1892. (New York University). WorldCat record id: 58775739
William Rhinelander Stewart (1852-1929) was a New York City businessman and philanthropist. He was a commissioner of the New York State Board of Charities from 1882 to 1929 and served as president of the Board from 1894 to 1903 and again from 1907 to 1923.
From the description of William Rhinelander Stewart papers, 1882-1929. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122626854
From the guide to the William Rhinelander Stewart papers, 1882-1929, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)
Treasurer of the Committee on Erection of the Memorial Arch at Washington Square which was organized to raise money to build a monument to the centennial anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as president of the United States in 1789; the arch was designed by architect Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White.
From the description of Washington Arch collection, 1872-1925 (bulk 1889-1895). (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58665131
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1889 Jan. -March 1889 :William Rhinelander Stewart conceived the idea to build a temporary Triumphal Arch in Washington Square Park to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States. Stewart becomes treasurer of the Washington Arch Fund, architect Stanford White designs the Arch free of charge, and Joseph Cabus builds the Arch. -
April 1889:
Funded on donations from local residents, a temporary wooden Arch is erected in time for the celebratory parade for the centennial of Washington's inauguration. -
May 1889:
The Committee for the Erection of the Washington Memorial Arch was organized to create a permanent replacement arch. It appoints Henry G. Marquand as Chairman, Louis Fitzgerald as Vice-Chairman, Richard Watson Gilder as Secretary, and William R. Stewart as Treasurer and selects Stanford White as the designer of the new arch. -
Sept. 1889:
Donations to the Washington Arch Fund reach $50,000 of the $100,000 estimated to complete the Arch's construction. -
April 1890:
David H. King, Jr., the builder of the Pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, is awarded the contract to build the Arch. He agrees to build the Arch for cost and waive his usual ten percent commission. -
May 1890:
Work upon the foundation is completed, and the laying of the corner-stone ceremony takes place. -
Dec. 1890:
The first block of marble is laid and construction continues throughout the winter. -
Feb. 1891:
Although the Arch Fund reaches $90,000, it is decided that more money is needed due to the change in plans to build a larger Arch with more complex ornamentation. -
April 1892:
The construction of the Arch comes to a close and donations to the Washington Arch Fund reach $121,907.50. -
May 1895:
The Washington Arch is formally dedicated and placed under the jurisdiction of city authorities. -
1916:
With money raised from the Washington Arch Statuary Fund, Hermon A. MacNeil completes his sculpture portraying Washington in his military uniform on the East Pedestal of the Arch. -
1918:
A. Stirling Calder's sculpture on the West Pedestal featuring Washington in his civilian clothing, also financed by the Statuary Fund, is completed.
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1852:
William Rhinelander Stewart born on December 3rd to Lispenard and Mary Rogers (Rhinelander) Stewart. -
1873:
Stewart graduates from Columbia University Law School. He later gives up practicing law and devotes his professional career to philanthropy and the management of estates. -
1880:
He is chosen as Superintendent of the Mission Sunday School of Grace Chapel. -
1882:
Stewart appointed as commissioner for the first judicial district on the state board of charities. He continues to serve on this organization for forty-seven years. -
1889:
Stewart develops the idea of constructing the Washington Arch in Washington Square and serves as treasurer of the committee. -
1895:
Stewart formally presents Mayor William Strong with the key to the Arch, signifying the formal transfer of the Arch to city authorities. -
1898:
He is elected president of the National Conference of Charities and Corrections. -
1900:
Stewart organizes the New York State Conference of Charities and Corrections -
1908 -1929 :He is president of the Rhinelander Real Estate Company. -
1910:
Stewart founds the New York City Conference of Charities and Corrections. -
1911:
He publishes his book The Philanthropic Work of Josephine Shaw Lowell, New York: Grace House, 1906. -
1924:
He publishes Grace Church and Old New York, New York: E. P. Dutton & company, 1924. -
1929:
Stewart dies on September 4th in New York City.
From the guide to the Washington Arch Records, 1872-1925 (Bulk 1872-1925), (@ 2011 New-York Historical Society)
| Role | Title | Holding Repository |
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Filters:
| Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (State)--New York | |||
| Europe | |||
| New York (N.Y.) | |||
| Washington Square (New York, N.Y.) | |||
| New York (State) | |||
| Washington Square (New York, N.Y.) | |||
| New York (State) | |||
| New York (State)--New York | |||
| Washington Square (New York, N.Y.) |
| Subject |
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| American |
| Arches |
| Arches |
| Charities |
| Charities |
| Decoration and ornament, Architectural |
| Decoration and ornament, Architectural |
| Fund raising |
| Governor |
| Governors |
| Monuments |
| Monuments |
| Outdoor sculpture |
| Outdoor sculpture |
| Public welfare |
| Public welfare |
| The history of the Washington Arch in Washington Square, New York |
| Upper class |
| Wages |
| Wages |
| Occupation |
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| Philanthropists |
| Activity |
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Person
Birth 1852
Death 1929
