Last July I received some news about the American Society for Psychical Research (ASPR), an organisation the shortcomings of which James A. Conrad and I have previously reported. The information was that the ASPR, homeless after losing its prestigious headquarters, was going to move into the Interchurch Center, a building near Columbia University in Manhattan shared by a number of non-profits.
I was told the move of the library
(presumably including the archive) and apparatus, complete with Faraday cages,
was scheduled for late September or early October 2025. No announcement was made by the Society, but
in the past couple of weeks the address on its website has changed from the
mailbox at Manhattan Express Shipping.
It has indeed taken a unit in the Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside
Drive, Suite 730, New York 10115. The
telephone number is (212) 799-5050.
We do not know whether the ASPR’s
collections, previously kept in an expensive storage facility, have been moved
in; the photograph of the library on the website clearly shows a section of
shelving as it was when the ASPR was at 5 West 73rd Street. Also, having a physical address does not
necessarily mean there is a staffed office. Patrice Keane (Executive Director) and Nancy
Sondow (President), the two most closely associated with the organisation, are
now in their late sixties and seventies and may not want to be bothered with
the day-to-day running of the Society.
The website provides no information on opening hours, or names of staff.
The Center’s website describes the 1950s
building: “Nestled on New York City's Upper West Side, The Interchurch Center
is a distinguished 19-story, 600,000 square-foot landmark that proudly houses a
vibrant community of ecumenical, educational, and philanthropic
organizations.” The units are clean and
pleasant but functional, and lacking the character of the beautiful Strasburger
House the ASPR was forced to vacate.
The Center’s mission statement suggests
that the ASPR will be expected to do more than use their unit as for storage. It reads in part:
“Welcome to The Interchurch Center where
we are more than just an office space – we are a dynamic workplace designed to
enhance your tenant experience. Our state-of-the-art building offers superior
accessibility and a range of tenant-focused services….
“...we foster a welcoming environment that
respects diverse perspectives while promoting collaboration and connection. Our
dedicated programs and networking opportunities empower tenants to thrive
professionally and build meaningful relationships.”
Just how dynamic, collaborative and
connected the ASPR will be in its new home remains to be seen. While it is good news that progress has been
made in establishing a base of operations, there are still unanswered questions
about the organisation’s financial prospects and intentions. If someone in New York with an interest in
the ASPR could pop along to see if there are staff present and what is on
offer, I would be happy to hear from them.
It will be a service to psychical research if the library and archive become accessible again, though there is a lingering doubt as to whether there will be enough space to accommodate it all in a single unit; those Faraday cages may have to go. But at least the officers and trustees have made a start, and perhaps they will eventually resume the activities of a vibrant membership organisation, with a journal and lecture programme. It would be useful if they deigned to tell those interested in the ASPR’s wellbeing what their plans are.
