The first park at the site was opened in 1847 and was called Reservoir Square due to its proximity to the Croton Distributing Reservoir.and Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, during which the park was rebuilt and the NYPL's stacks were built underneath.After a period of decline, it was restored in 1988-1992 by architecture firms Hanna/Olin Ltd.Reservoir Square contained the New York Crystal Palace, which hosted the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in 1853 and burned down in 1858.The park is both a National Register of Historic Places listing and a New York City designated landmark