LIBRARY NOTES
An Old Trustee Gains a New Look
Monday, January 1, 2007
Head Librarian Mark Bartlett and Events Coordinator Sara Elliott Holliday
with Molly and William Ambler and the portrait they restored.
Visiting the Reference Room, member William Nash Ambler noticed an elegant portrait of Frederic de Peyster, severely darkened by age and dirt. He was particularly struck by the portrait because he is a descendant of de Peyster, and because his wife, Molly Ott Ambler, works with many art restorers. The Amblers contacted Library staff and arranged for artist and conservator Simon Parkes to clean and restore the painting. Its return put the finishing touch on the refinishing of the room over the summer. The Library is grateful to the Amblers for seeing both a need and a solution, and we are proud to have a unique historical item beautifully restored.
The Hon. Frederic de Peyster, LL.D. (1796-1882) was a Library trustee and chairman for many years and an enormous influence on the institution in the distinction of its activities and the friendliness of its tone at that time.
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