Rich with archival research, The Once and Future New York documents the emergence of historic preservation in New York at the turn of the twentieth century. Between 1890 and 1920, preservationists saved and restored buildings, parks, and monuments throughout the city's five boroughs that represented continuity with the past.

Vols. for 1871-76, 1913-14 include an extra number, The Christmas bookseller, separately paged and not included in the consecutive numbering of the regular series.

In this book, Philip Ranlet examines the prolific political career of Cadwallader Colden. Colden was the long lasting lieutenant governor of royal New York. A determined foe of entrenched interests in New York such as the manor lords, the lawyers, and the fur smugglers, he remained a vigorous supporter of the royal prerogative. He handled Indian relations for many years and was the first true historian of the Iroquois. Also one of the preeminent scientists of the colonial period and the Enlightenment itself, he established botany in America and also tried to revise the work of Sir Isaac Newton. Lieutenant Governor Cadwallader Colden continued to battle the enemies ofBritish rule until his death during the American Revolution in 1776 at 88 years old.