Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Size: 2.25" x 1.6" Original 135th Street Branch | New York Public Library Architectural Heritage: Designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, this historic Neo-Classical building opened in 1905 as a Carnegie-funded library. Harlem Renaissance Hub: During the 1920s and 30s, the 135th Street Library served as a central gathering place and intellectual anchor for Black writers, artists, and scholars. The Schomburg Collection: In 1926, NYPL acquired Puerto Rican–born scholar Arturo Alfonso Schomburg’s extensive collection of African diaspora literature, art, and artifacts, establishing the foundation for today’s world-renowned research library. Landmark Status: Designated a National Historic Landmark, the original building remains a vital pillar of Harlem’s architectural and cultural history.