The archive of Roosevelt Island
An island the city built to hide people, now a place people choose to live.
Found: 11 archival photographs, 18 prints & maps, 0 community contributions
Plan for a Suspension Bridge Across East River, at Blackwell's Island, N.Y
Penitentiary, Blackwell's Island, New York City
Alms House Buildings, Blackwells Island
Smallpox Hospital, Black Wells Island, N.Y.
View of the Lunatic Asylum and Mad House, on Blackwell's Island, New York
Workhouse, Blackwell's Island
View of the Penitentiary, at Blackwell's Island, New York Harbor
Prison and Garden on Blackwell's Island (from Gleason's Pictorial, May 28 1853)
Blackwell's Island Lunatic Asylum
Workhouse on Blackwell's Island: The Dark Cell
Blackwell's, Ward's and Randall's islands and adjacent shores of East and Harlem Rivers
Ten Days in a Mad-House; or, Nellie Bly's Experience on Blackwell's Island
Ten Days in a Mad-House (cover)
At the Temporary Home for Women
In the Hands of the Police
Nellie Before Judge Duffy
Nellie Bly Writing at Her Desk
New-York City Asylum for the Insane (Woman), Blackwell's Island
Nellie Bly
Panorama of Blackwell's Island, N.Y.
A 1903 boat panorama of Blackwell's Island showing the lighthouse, asylum, workhouse, almshouse, penitentiary, Charity Hospital, seawall, and Queensboro Bridge piers. Provided for historical context only.
Emma May Be Choked Off by Police
Emma Goldman Speaking
Mae West in the Police Van after the Sex Raid
Mae West in She Done Him Wrong
General View, Showing Entrance -- Welfare Island, Lighthouse (HABS NY,31-WELFI,3-1)
General View of East Side -- Welfare Island, Insane Asylum (HABS NY,31-WELFI,6-1)
General View of West Front -- Welfare Island, Farmhouse (HABS NY,31-WELFI,1-1)
Octagon Tower, Roosevelt Island (modern photo)
Blackwell Island Light, Roosevelt Island (modern photo, Aug 2025-era)
The Girl Puzzle Monument Honoring Nellie Bly
Oral histories and street sounds — coming soon.