Free Library of Philadelphia, Passyunk Branch, 1935 Shunk St Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
When the cornerstone of the Passyunk Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia was laid in 1913, it was one of seven branches concurrently under construction through an endowment from industrialist-turned-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The impact of Carnegie`s grant program on the development of public libraries cannot be overstated. He came of age in an era when libraries were rare, privately funded institutions and access was through subscription. Believing in the power of libraries to create an egalitarian society that favored hard work over social privilege by allowing for equal access to knowledge, between 1886 and 1917 he provided forty million dollars for the construction of 1,679 libraries throughout the nation. The vast resources that he allotted to library research and construction contributed significantly to the development of the American Library as a building type. In addition, by insisting that municipalities supply a building site, books, and annual maintenance funds before bestowing grants Carnegie elevated libraries from the arena of private philanthropy to that of civic responsibility. Philadelphia was the recipient of one of the largest Carnegie grants for library construction. Although the city was among the first to establish a free library system, it had no purpose-built structures prior to the Carnegie endowment. Under the direction of the city`s appointed Carnegie Fund Committee, the branch libraries were built between 1905 and 1930 and designed by a "who`s-who" of Philadelphia`s architects. The twenty extant branch libraries remain as a remarkable intact and cohesive grouping, rivaled only by that of New York City, with fifty-seven. Passyunk Branch was designed by well-known architect John T. Windrim, who went on to design two more branch library buildings and to serve on the Library Board. It is among the smaller and less elaborate of the libraries, yet it is a classic example of the somewhat staid Beaux Arts form that came to define Carnegie branch libraries. It follows the usual plan to consist of a rectangular main block with a rear ell to create a T-shaped configuration. The lot on which the Passyunk Branch sits was provided to the city of Philadelphia by the estate of national renowned Philadelphia merchant, banker, and philanthropist, Stephan Girard. Girard established a working farm here on what was then the countryside. His former residence stills occupies a plot of land a short distance from the library that serves as a city park.
Free Library of Philadelphia, Passyunk Branch, 1935 Shunk St Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
When the cornerstone of the Passyunk Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia was laid in 1913, it was one of seven branches concurrently under construction through an endowment from industrialist-turned-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The impact of Carnegie`s grant program on the development of public libraries cannot be overstated. He came of age in an era when libraries were rare, privately funded institutions and access was through subscription. Believing in the power of libraries to create an egalitarian society that favored hard work over social privilege by allowing for equal access to knowledge, between 1886 and 1917 he provided forty million dollars for the construction of 1,679 libraries throughout the nation. The vast resources that he allotted to library research and construction contributed significantly to the development of the American Library as a building type. In addition, by insisting that municipalities supply a building site, books, and annual maintenance funds before bestowing grants Carnegie elevated libraries from the arena of private philanthropy to that of civic responsibility. Philadelphia was the recipient of one of the largest Carnegie grants for library construction. Although the city was among the first to establish a free library system, it had no purpose-built structures prior to the Carnegie endowment. Under the direction of the city`s appointed Carnegie Fund Committee, the branch libraries were built between 1905 and 1930 and designed by a "who`s-who" of Philadelphia`s architects. The twenty extant branch libraries remain as a remarkable intact and cohesive grouping, rivaled only by that of New York City, with fifty-seven. Passyunk Branch was designed by well-known architect John T. Windrim, who went on to design two more branch library buildings and to serve on the Library Board. It is among the smaller and less elaborate of the libraries, yet it is a classic example of the somewhat staid Beaux Arts form that came to define Carnegie branch libraries. It follows the usual plan to consist of a rectangular main block with a rear ell to create a T-shaped configuration. The lot on which the Passyunk Branch sits was provided to the city of Philadelphia by the estate of national renowned Philadelphia merchant, banker, and philanthropist, Stephan Girard. Girard established a working farm here on what was then the countryside. His former residence stills occupies a plot of land a short distance from the library that serves as a city park.
Posted Date
Sep 27, 2021
Source Name
Library of Congress
