Someone smart, I forget whom, noted that turn of the century buildings often had majestic access provisions for mechanical spaces and equipment, and I recall many a 1910 fuse box behind a panelled oak door, framed by an oak surround, with brass hardware and hinges.

Oak? We don't need no stinkin' oak. Oak is for the little people who pay taxes.

 

There was a FABULOUS marble and bronze electrical panel/switchboard in the old Chamber of Commerce building downtown that's now the Bank of China or some such. Mr. Pepi may know what happened to it.  The former Engineers Clvb on 40th St has the marble remains of their panelboard; I assume that the mungo hunters got the bronze and brass. 

 

I would be willing to bet the Carnegie Mansion still has it's original panel. 

 

You could tour fabulous basements instead of shitty neighborhoods and write it up.

 

Ralph