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Images of America: Massachusetts
Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library (BPL) was the first large municipally funded public library in the United States. Although the library was founded in 1848, the original idea was first proposed by French ventriloquist Alexandre Vattemare in 1841. In 1854, the library opened to the public in two rooms in a schoolhouse on Mason Street. Just four years later, the building on Boylston Street opened with 88,789 items. In 1871, the BPL was the first library in the country to open a branch, and by 1895, when the new central library was opened in Copley Square, 29 branches and reading rooms had opened. Charles Follen McKim was the principal architect of the new building, which is noted for its perfect proportions, magnificent murals, and beautiful ornamentation throughout the building. The tremendous growth of the library made it necessary to build an addition, and in 1972, the new building designed by Philip Johnson was opened.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 14, 2018
I hang my head to say I’ve never been inside the Library, only sat and took in the Sun and people watching one sunny Summer afternoon. I’ve always heard great stories about the main branch but am FOR SURE going to visit after reading this book. The pictures are so unbelievably GORGEOUS that the library is an Art Museum in itself! Can’t wait to “tour” this beautiful building and all its treasures.
March 7, 2022
Enjoyable look at images of the BPL from its earliest days til the modern day. It was published before the large-scale reno of the Boylston St building, so I would love to see an updated version some day.
July 18, 2018
I enjoyed finding out the history of the central library and the branches I frequent (Jamaica Plain, Connelly, Roslindale and West Roxbury).
May 6, 2013
This is a reasonable book in the series. I think it would have been improved by a few maps and plans of the buildings to put the photographs in context.
May 27, 2013
Started flipping through it B&N and wound up reading the whole thing. I thought it was interesting. I love libraries!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews