Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library of Yale University

"... Located in New Havem, Connecticut. Believed to be the largest building in the world entirely devoted to this purpose. The building of marble and granite is an architectural "conversation piece".

The building, of Vermont marble and granite, bronze and glass, was designed by Gordon Bunshaft, of the firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill; the George A. Fuller Construction Company was the general contractor. Work began on the building in 1960 and was completed in 1963. The white, gray-veined marble panes of the exterior are one and one-quarter inches thick and are framed by shaped light gray Vermont Woodbury granite. These marble panels filter light so that rare materials can be displayed without damage. From the exterior, however, the building's powerful stone geometry serves to dominate the space it occupies in Hewitt University Quadrangle, amidst neo-Classical and neo-Gothic neighbors. [SOURCE] [LIB1884]

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Public Library DAYTON OHIO

Two views of the Library from the early 20th century.

[LIB1883]

Library CALEDONIA NY

Caledonia Public Library Website

[LIB1882]

1961 Public Library ANTIGO WISCONSIN

"One of the oldesty constructions in the city of Antigo built in 1904, which houses 32,000 volumes."

Antigo Public Library Website

[LIB1881]

Carpenter Memorial Library, Manchester, New Hampshire

"Carpenter Memorial Library is the gift of Frank P. Carpenter to the City of Manchester, N.H. in 1914. A memorial to his wife Elenora Blood Carpenter. Italian Renaissance in style. In beauty, utility and convenience it has few rivals throughout the country. Constructed of white Vermont marble."

Soon after the death of his wife Elenora Blood Carpenter in January, 1910, the president of Amoskeag Paper Mill Frank Pierce Carpenter offered to construct a library building in her memory.

Frank Carpenter spared no expense in the planning and construction of the new library building. He hired architects Edward L. Tilton of New York and Edgar A.P. Newcomb of Honolulu to design the Italian Renaissance style building which would serve not only the then present needs but growth over many subsequent decades. [SOURCE]

Edward L. Tilton designed many libraries in the United States including: Springfield (Massachusetts) Central Library; Wilmington (Delaware) Public Library; Bayonne (New Jersey) Public Library; Elizabeth (New Jersey) Public Library, and many more. For a wonderful 15 page overview of Tilton and his architectural accomplishments, read (available as a PDF) Edward Lippincott Tilton, A Monograph on His Architectural Practice, researched and written by Lisa B. Mausolf with Elizabeth Durfee Hengen for The Currier Museum of Art (2007).

[LIB1880]

MANCHESTER STREET CARS - IMAGES OF AMERICA [Manchester, New Hampshire]

1906 Flower Memorial Library WATERTOWN NY

Beautiful vintage postcard published by the Rotograph Company, no. H6242a.

ERECTED BY MRS. EMMA FLOWER TAYLOR
IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER, EX-GOVERNOR FLOWER.
Cost of building with decorations, $250,000.
The cornerstone was laid JULY 11, 1903, by MRS. TAYLOR,
with a prayer by REV. Archdeacon Joiner and address by MR. S.F. BAGG. The building was completed and presented to the city of Watertown NOVEMBER 10, 1904. The building was designed by the architectural firm of ORCHARD, LANSING & JORALEMON. [SOURCE] On the National Register of Historic Places: Flower, Roswell P., Memorial Library (added 1980 - Building - #80002628)

Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library Website

[LIB1878]

1908 Public Library AMESBURY MA

Designed by architect Penn Varney in 1900 in the Romanesque Revival style. It was listed in 2004 as one of the Ten Most Endangered Resources in Massachusetts due to the fact that portions of the building are in danger of being destroyed in favor of expansion. [SOURCE] Amesbury Public Library Website

[LIB1877]

1907 Public Library NORTH ADAMS MA

The Honorable Albert C. Houghton, 1st Mayor of North Adams, purchased the former Sanford Blackinton residence and gave it to the city for a public library as a memorial to his brother Andrew Jackson Houghton. Mr. Houghton also donated $10,000 to make the building suitable for use as a library. This sum did not prove adequate for the necessary alterations and repairs, so the City Council appropriated an additional $9,000. [SOURCE]


IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS BROTHER; Mayor Houghton's Gift to the City of North Adams, Mass. An article from The New York Times, May 3, 1896, Wednesday [ARTICLE]

[LIB1876]

1951 John Stewart Memorial Library, Wilson College, CHAMBERSBURG PA

[LIB1875]

"Wilson College was incorporated by Act of the Legislature, March 24, 1869, and was opened October 12, 1870, as a school for the higher education of women. A large portion of the funds made available for the founding of this college were contributed by Miss Sarah Wilson as a memorial to herself and her family. Miss Wilson is buried in the graveyard of Rocky Spring Presbyterian Church."

State Library Building, RICHMOND VA

[LIB1874]

"This handsome public building was erected in 1895, though the South wing was added in 1909. The lower floors contain the court-room of the Supreme Court of Appeals, the law library and offices of various State Officials."

Free Public Library, TRENTON NJ

[LIB1873]

Newberry Library, North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois

Published by E. C. Kropp, Milwaukee, no. 246.

The Library was founded as a public library by a bequest of Walter Loomis Newberry, a businessman and prominent citizen, who had been an active book collector, founder of the Young Men's Library Association, and president of the Chicago Historical Society before his death in 1868. When he drew up his will, Mr. Newberry created a codicil should his daughters die without issue. Since Chicago had no public library at the time, he determined that in such an instance a public library should be established in the northern section of the city. [SOURCE: http://www.newberry.org/]

Mr. Alcott in the Library, The Alcott House, CONCORD MA

Amos Bronson Alcott originally purchased two houses, both dating to the early 1700’s. He moved the smaller tenant house and joined it to the rear of the main structure, making many improvements to the main house, as he explains in his journal entries of 1857-58. At that time, the site encompassed 12 acres of apple orchards, probably appealing to Mr. Alcott who considered apples the most perfect food. It is not surprising that he should name his home "The Orchard House." [SOURCE: http://www.louisamayalcott.org]

Louisa May Alcott wrote her classic work, Little Women, here in 1868 at a "shelf" desk built by her father especially for her. She also set Little Women in this home, causing guests to comment that "a visit to Orchard House is like walking through the book!"

[LIB1870]

1909 The Library Building, HUNTINGTON LONG ISLAND NY

The Huntington Public Library as it appeared on a postcard from the early 20th century. This card was published by W. V. Tuttle, Huntington, Long Island. It was printed in Germany and numbered 32640. [LIB1869]

E. Lee Trinkle Library, Mary Washington College, FREDERICKSBURG VA

[LIB1868]

"E. Lee Trinkle Library, Mary Washington College, the Virginia State College for Women, at Fredericksburg, Va. Named in honor of the late E. Lee Trinkle, former Governor of Virginia."

Black and white interior view of the E. Lee Trinkle Library rotunda area where ten women are pictured using the card catalog and checking materials in or out. [IMAGE SOURCE]

University Library MEXICO CITY MEXICO

Biblioteca Central

Constructed 1953. The outer walls are covered with murals by architect and painter Juan O'Gorman (1905-1982). [SOURCE]

[LIB1867]

1938 New Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

[LIB1866]

Library, Muhlenberg College ALLENTOWN PA

Muhlenberg College Website

[LIB1865]

1920 Carnegie Public Library, COLUMBUS OH

In 1920 Annie N. Battelle became the first woman library trustee. [SOURCE, read more]

[LIB1864]

Library Reading Room, Ohio Historical Center COLUMBUS OH

In 1885 a group of Ohioans established the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, proclaiming in its charter the goal of preserving aspects of the state's past. These citizens realized that Ohio's numerous earthworks and significant ancient artifacts offered eloquent testimony about its prehistoric heritage. In addition, they wanted to document Ohio's contributions to the nation's growth and development. They were concerned that, without a statewide organization dedicated to the preservation of Ohio's history, much of the physical evidence of Ohio's past would be, at best, preserved by museums and libraries outside the state, or at worst, lost entirely. [SOURCE, read more]


[LIB1863]

1907 City Hall & Library NEW BEDFORD MA

[LIB2020]

1911 U.S. Congressional Library WASHINGTON DC

[LIB2019]

Widener Memorial Library HARVARD UNIVERSITY MA

[LIB2018]

1800 to 2000 Library of Congress Commemorative Postage Stamp

Libraries - Creativity - Liberty

"The Library of Congress, America's library, is celebrating its 200th birthday in 2000. This bicentennial recognizes all libraries and the vital role they play in advancing American creativity and liberty."

[LIB1863]

1952 Library, SKOWHEGAN, MAINE

The Skowhegan Free Public Library had its early origins in the Canaan Social Library (Skowhegan was originally part of Canaan), which provided services from 1798-1830. From 1830 until 1867, townspeople depended on private or social lending. The Skowhegan Library Association was incorporated in 1867 providing library services to the town of Skowhegan. [SOURCE]

Skowhegan Free Public Library Website

[LIB1862]

Gilead Library Building, PATTERSON, NY

"The Gilead Library Building as viewed across the campus from Gilead's main auditorium. Here one may learn much concerning the purpose of Jehovah God the Creator." Pub. by Watchtower, Brooklyn, NY, no. 54633

[LIB1861]

1905 Public Library FOND DU LAC WI

[LIB1860]

Amazon Link: Fond Du Lac County Historical Society

Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University, NEW HAVEN CT

[LIB1859]

Designed by architect James Gamble Rogers.

1913 The Library, NORWALK CT

Published by the Leighton & Valentine Co. [LIB1858]

Baker Library, Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, CAMBRIDGE MA

An American Art Post Card, no. 610.

[LIB1857]

1909 City Hall & Public Library from Montello St., BROCKTON MA

[LIB1856]

1946 Public Libraries HYANNIS MA

A genuine Curteich Chicago post card no. OB-H1870. Photograph by Harrison Fisk. [LIB1855]

1919 Interior of Library, Vassar College, POUGHKEEPSIE NY

[LIB1854]

Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University, NEW HAVEN CT

[LIB1853]

Amazon Book: John W. Sterling: a Sketch (Class of 1864 Yale College)

1898 Neptune's Fountain LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC

After returning to the United States, Roland Hinton Perry received a commission to sculpt a series of bas-reliefs for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. in 1894. The following year, he was commissioned to create the Fountain of Neptune in front of the Library's main building, now known as the Thomas Jefferson Building.

[LIB1941]