Researcher Spotlight: Andrew Silverstein

This profile is part of a series of interviews chronicling the experiences of researchers who use The New York Public Library's collections for the development of their work.

Andrew Silverstein is a freelance journalist and New York City tour guide. Pre-Covid, Andrew focused on his walking tour company Streetwise New York Tours. Since March of 2020, he's been channeling his interest in NYC history into writing and research. 

When did you first get the idea for your research project? 

My last project started when I visited the About Page of Murray’s Cheese, the Greenwich Village shop turned national brand with 750+ locations. I read that Murray’s was founded in 1940 by Murray Greenberg, a Jewish Spanish Civil War veteran. It piqued my interest: a partisan fighter turned corporate cheesemonger? But then the story started to unravel, and I found the true story to be more interesting than the legend.

What brought you to the Library? 

I was in the Library the last day before it closed in March 2020, getting material to write an article for National Geographic Spain. I was back when it reopened for researchers for a week in November 2020. I can’t wait to get back in the reading room. However, this past year I’ve been amazed to learn how much I can research through NYPL remotely.

What research tools could you not live without?

For my Forward article on Murray Greenberg, access to genealogy resources through NYPL like Ancestry.com was critical. As well as newspaper databases. I’m grateful that five years ago, the Jefferson Market branch scanned eight decades of The Villager, a small local newspaper. And lastly, it is a real luxury to be able to ask a librarian to scan and email a resource. Each time I request a scan, I think: Is this really allowed? Who am I to ask for this?

What’s the most unexpected item you encountered in your research?

The current owners of Murray’s Cheese have no photos of Murray. I really wanted a photo of him in the original store, but no one (including his son) had any. Of course, I found one through the New York Public Library.

What’s the most interesting thing you learned from a book recently? 

That 62% of  New Yorkers live in a household with at least one immigrant. One of many statistics that Thomas Dyja uses to distill life in the city in his book, New York, New York, New York. 

How do you maintain your research momentum?

First I choose something that interests me. Once I commit to the project, I have no choice but to finish it. So curiosity and saving face.

After a day of working/researching, what do you do to unwind?

Buy groceries on 30th Avenue in Astoria (shout out to United Brothers Fruit Markets) and cook dinner.

Is there anything you'd like to tell someone looking to get started?

Your first research project should be to research all the resources NYPL offers. The library isn’t just a place with WiFi and clean bathrooms. It’s a world-class research center with a very knowledgeable and dedicated staff. And it’s free!