Last week, Carnegie Corporation of New York announced $3.6 million in grants to fund education and enrichment programs at some of New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions, including Carnegie Hall. The Corporation has a long history of supporting such institutions. For example, the below images show telegrams between the Corporation’s fifth president, Fredrick P. Keppel, and trustee Robert A. Franks, expressing concern around the famed music hall’s impending demolition in 1924. In an effort to save the institution, the Corporation purchased Carnegie Hall during the settlement of the Andrew Carnegie’s estate, which it owned for just 30 days before selling it to a buyer were assured them that the Hall would continue to function as a music center. Carnegie Hall celebrates its 124th anniversary this year.
