(images courtesy of NYPL and HDC)
Join the Historic Districts Council for a presentation on the history of New York City’s Carnegie and branch libraries and their endurance into the present.
(at the very first Carnegie Library built in New York City!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
5:30 PM
Yorkville Branch of the New York Public Library
222 East 79th Street (between Second & Third Avenues)
In 1899, industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated the funds which would build 67 architecturally distinctive libraries in the five boroughs between 1901 and 1923. These buildings, of which 54 still function today as libraries, have been community landmarks ever since. Together with the more recently built branch libraries, and the famous main branches, they make up the three library systems that serve the dynamic population of New York City.
Dr. Jeffrey Kroessler, author of Lighting the Way: A Centennial History of the Queens Borough Public Library, 1896-1996, will discuss the early history of the Carnegie and branch libraries, including their philanthropic origins, purposeful locations, and intended neighborhood functions, as well as their endurance into the 21st century.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating will happen on a first come, first serve basis.
If you have any questions, please contact Brigid Harmon at bharmon@hdc.org or 212-614-9107