The Historical Society of the New York Courts presented the program “History of Foley Square: New York Legal Landmarks & Civic Reform” on February 27 at the New York City Bar Association. The program delved into how Foley Square came to be surrounded by state and federal courthouses and other buildings by examining the migration of these structures within the context of the national civic center movement that arose in the early 1900s. The evening’s exploration included a look at the important, and perhaps under-recognized, role taken by George McAneny, city planner and preservation advocate, in Foley Square’s development.

Pictured from left: Albert Rosenblatt, president of the Historical Society of the New York Courts and a former Court of Appeals judge; Charles Starks, adjunct lecturer in Urban Planning & Policy, Hunter College, CUNY; Jon Ritter, clinical associate professor, New York University; Second Circuit Judge Dennis Jacobs; and Robert Pigott, Vice President & General Counsel, Phipps Houses.