Eli Rabineau architectural records and papers, 1942-1987

Summary Information

Abstract

Eli Rabineau (1914-1991) was an architect whose practice was most active in Westchester County, New York. He graduated with a degree in architecture from New York University in 1946, and with a degree in urban planning from Columbia University in 1970. He designed many public buildings, synagogues, and Jewish centers, including the award-winning Yonkers Public Library Sprain Brook (East) Branch (Now Grinton I. Will Branch), which project records comprise the majority of the present collection.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series: Professional Papers and Yonkers Public Library Sprain Brook (East) Branch (Now Grinton I. Will Branch).

• Series I: Professional Papers
• Series II: Yonkers Public Library Sprain Brook Branch

Description

Scope and Content

This collection documents extensively with project drawings, reports, correspondence, photographs, and some news clippings of Rabineau's award winning project – Yonkers Public Lirbary at Yonkers, New York, from 1958-1985. The much smaller portions of the collection consist of some correspondence, architectural practice files, photographs, news clippings and presentation booklets of his other projects. The collection is arranged in two series: Professional Papers, and Yonkers Public Library Sprain Brook (East) Branch (Now Grinton I. Will Branch).

• Series I: Professional Papers

  This series is comprised of documents related to his architectural practice, as well as other professional works. The records of other projects besides Yonkers Public Library are included in this series as they contain only summarized information of the projects (such as brief project descriptions, reduced-size renderings and final photographs). Two items in a separate oversize box contains miscellaneous project files and a scrapbook of news clippings.

• Series II: Yonkers Public Library Sprain Brook Branch

  This is the primary component of the collection, which comprises of correspondence, original drawings, construction documents, schedules, specifications and photographs, from the initial commission of the Library's Sprain Brook (East) Branch that was completed in 1962, the follow-up mezzanine floor alternations and roof repairs in the 1970s, to the rehab program in 1984 for the Branch which by then had renamed as Grinton I. Will Branch.

Publication Date

1942-1987

Using the Collection

Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library

Restrictions on Access

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information and to make an appointment, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Restrictions on Use

Columbia University is providing access to the materials in the Library's collections solely for noncommercial educational and research purposes. The unauthorized use, including, but not limited to, publication of the materials without the prior written permission of Columbia University is strictly prohibited. All inquiries regarding permission to publish should be submitted in writing to the Director, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For additional guidance, see Columbia University Libraries' publication policy.

In addition to permission from Columbia University, permission of the copyright owner (if not Columbia University) and/or any holder of other rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) may also be required for reproduction, publication, distributions, and other uses. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of any item and securing any necessary permissions rests with the persons desiring to publish the item. Columbia University makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the materials or their fitness for a particular purpose.

Preferred Citation

Eli Rabineau architectural records and papers, 1942-1987, Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Susan Wilmarth Rabineau. Method of acquisition--Donated;; Date of acquisition--1994; 1994.002.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Chialin Chou (Archives Intern) under the supervision of Shelley Hayreh, Avery Archivist, in April 2013.

Revision Description

2013-04-13 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biography

Eli Rabineau was born on Aug 19, 1914. He studied architecture in New York University and obtained his license to practice in 1946. In 1970, he went to Columbia University and graduated with a degree in urban planning. And in 1972, he joined AIA Westchester Charter.

He was active in Westchester County, New York and designed many public buildings, synagogues, and Jewish centers, including the AIA Award of Merit winner - Yonkers Public Library Sprain Brook (East) Branch (Now Grinton I. Will Branch), the Bet Torah Synagogue in Mount Kisco, and Jewish centers in both communities.

He was active in civic and professional organizations, wrote many articles for architectural magazines, and was the author of the book A High Density Model for Future Urban Communities (1970). Additionally, He was the director of public facilities planning for the New York City Planning Commission from 1971 to 1980 and worked as a consultant until his death in 1991.