Friday, September 07, 2007

Public Library

This is the original library building of the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy Center; it was designed by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Richardson is also well known for having designed Trinity Church in Copley Square.

The library was dedicated on May 30, 1882, with the principal oration delivered by Charles Francis Adams, Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees. The money for the library was donated by Albert Crane in his father's memory. The Crane family wanted to name the library something like the Quincy Free Library, but Adams insisted it be named after Thomas Crane, and Charles Francis Adams, Jr. always got his way, at least in Quincy.

Today, this building houses the library's Reference Dept.

6 comments:

FĂ©nix - Bostonscapes said...

A superb photo of a grandiose building. H. H. Richardson has left us such wondrous masterpieces.

Janet said...

A great place! Glad to see it is still in use as a library.

JaamZIN said...

it looks like a house in a fairy tale! wonderful:)

Abhishek said...

looks like you spend a lot of time in and around libraries. Nice contrasts. Good shot.

Lynette said...

Are those eyelid-looking things in the roof windows?

Clueless in Boston said...

Lynette, Yes, those "eyelids" are for ventilation. Eyebrow windows were popularized by H.H. Richardson who designed this building.

Summer Attraction

This tiger swallowtail butterfly was a delight to see pollinating the phlox bed along my driveway.