The Milstein Division's collection of Wurts Brothers views of New York City includes sites in four boroughs: Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Depicted are images of apartment houses, townhouses, brownstones, skyscrapers, factories, churches, hotels, banks, theaters, libraries, restaurants, bridges, parks, etc. Street views document storefronts of many varieties. Housing for both the wealthy and the middle class can be found here. Most views are exteriors, but there are some interior views of domestic and commercial spaces. General aerial and scenic views are included as well. The collection includes some photographs that pre-date the founding of the company in 1894.
Bibliographic history: The Wurts Brothers Company of architectural photographers was founded in 1894 by Norman and Lionel Wurts. Lionel's son Richard joined the company in 1920 and ran it until it closed in 1979. Working for architects, developers, and construction companies, the Wurts Brothers photographed all types of buildings, both commercial and residential.
