Cooper Union Building

East Village & Lower East Side


The large brownstone Cooper Union is a private college offering degrees in architecture, fine arts and engineering; it was founded by glue millionaire Peter Cooper in 1859. The next year, Abraham Lincoln gave his 'Right Makes Might' speech condemning slavery in the college's Great Hall – a speech which some historians believe helped propel him to the White House.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby East Village & Lower East Side attractions

1. 41 Cooper Square

0.04 MILES

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5. Grace Church

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6. St Mark's Church in-the-Bowery

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7. St Marks Place

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8. Museum of the American Gangster

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