Thursday is "This Old House" Day

Today's "old house" is my favorite Romanesque "house of knowledge" designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, funded by the Crane family, and dedicated in 1880.  It is Quincy's magnificent winter castle.  It is one of the 150 favorite works of Great Buildings Online and you can read an excellent account of this H.H. Richardson library masterpiece HERE.

Novel Night

The Friends of the Thomas Crane Library recently sponsored another delightful author evening.  Bestselling author, B. A. Shapiro, not only read from her break-through novel, The Art Forger, but she also shared her frustrating attempts to get her writing published. The Art Forger takes place in Boston and is based on the 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist.

Great News!

Hip hip hooray!   The Thomas Crane Public Library will be opened 7 days a week this summer!    This image was made using a creative setting on my camera; it reminds me of an old postcard. 

Covered In White

This snow-covered tree outside the main library will be covered with pink blossoms very soon.

Park & Surf

That laptop screen must be difficult to see in the bright light outside the main library.

Author Talk

Meet Christopher Klein, author of Discovering The Boston Harbor Islands, who gave a superb book presentation this week at the Thomas Crane Public Library.  This program was sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  It gave me an opportunity to express my gratitude to the author for his well researched book.  It has been one of my "go to" resources for my blog posts about the islands.

There are 34 islands in the Boston Harbor Island National Park system; I have been fortunate to have visited 15 of them over the years and am always ready to go "island hopping".

I will be sharing some of my Bumpkin Island images later this week.

"Free To All"

The Thomas Crane Library, one of H.H. Richardson's most successful designs, really shows beautifully with its spring landscape which was designed by famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.  I  wish funding was provided so people could visit the interior of the library on Sundays.

Good Books, Cheap!

There is a new bookstore in town . . . the Friends of the Thomas Crane Library have opened a bookstore in the basement of the main library. It's opened on Saturdays from 10-2. You can read more about it HERE.
I found a hard covered copy of David McCullough's John Adams biography in new condition for $2. All proceeds go towards museum passes and special library programs.

Blossoms & Books

The Thomas Crane Public Library grounds provide a gorgeous setting in which to enjoy a couple chapters.

Memorial In Bloom

Spring is my favorite season to view the grounds of Quincy's H.H. Richardson Romanesque library.

Celtic Bells

This was a special memorial program sponsored in memory of Doris Lunn by her family and friends. What a beautiful way to celebrate a loved one's life. Thank you.

"Look Up Here"

Happy Monochrome Monday!

Concert About the Sea

The Friends of the Thomas Crane Library provide free concerts for the community like the "Rum-Soaked Crooks" shown here getting ready to perform sea chanteys and maritime ballads.

Reading Stop

This reader found a perfect spot on the public library steps to stop for a reading break.

"Free To All"

This is the emblem above the doorway to the Thomas Crane Public Library. The emblem seems very appropriate for these tough fiscal times facing libraries. The hours and service at Quincy's public library are scheduled to be cut drastically unless our city leaders come up with money or a different way to proportion next year's budget. Sixteen school libraries are facing possible elimination as well.

"Libraries will get you through tough times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries." ~Anne Herbert

The Crane Relief

The exterior of the Thomas Crane Library is granite and brownstone. Pictured here on the gable end of the street elevation are cranes flanking TCPL to commemorate the generosity of the Crane family. I think the Crane family would be very pleased to see thousands of citizens flocking to their library in these tough times.

Come Sit!

I was surprised that no one was sitting on these beautiful iron outdoor benches at the Thomas Crane Public Library. It's time to soak in the good weather.

It's Monochrome Monday and this is my contribution to this week's black and white group. Click here for more black and white images.

If Only Money Would Grow On Trees

Quincy's beautiful library needs some money to grow on this tree to make up for a 10% budget loss this year to be followed by a proposed 9% budget reduction for next year. Hours have already been reduced and many people may lose their jobs unless changes are made to the budget.

I just don't understand why libraries get cut in tough times when more people make use of it for not just a good read but for internet access, entertainment, work, job search, research and special programming.

Thursday is "This Old House Day"

This grand double residence at 39-41 Grandview Avenue was built in the shingle style in the early 1890s. This is one of the grandest Queen Anne houses in the area with the status symbol of the period: a tall three story corner tower. Of particular note are the Richardsonian Syrian arches on the second floor porch which were once probably unglazed. They recall the entrance of the 1882 Crane Library by H. H. Richardson which can be seen here.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set up at the main library cafe area through today to take applications and assess property damage for victims of the recent flooding disaster. Hopefully some monetary help will be made available to these homeowners. (flood photos here)

More information on FEMA is available on the city's website here.