Walt Whitman Branch Brooklyn Public Library

Walt Whitman Branch Brooklyn Public Library

Foliated Stone at Building Entrance

Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Location: 93 St. Edwards Street

Tucked away near the terminus of a dead end side street across from some housing projects is the Walt Whitman Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Andrew Carnegie funded the library’s design and construction. At a time when most libraries were housed within larger buildings, the concept for the Carnegie branches was to house book collections in stand-alone structures. Like other Carnegie libraries, the building’s design adheres to classical principals. Constructed in 1908 at a cost of $101,455, the Neo-Classical style structure was designed by architect Rudolph L. Daus. The Historic Districts Council has highlighted some of the brick and limestone building’s architectural features in the following list: “foliated stone surround topped by a cartouche, denticulated cornice, original wooden book stacks, metal scalloped screens with Greek fret and egg-and-dart borders and original decorative metal railing”.

A self-made man of humble beginnings, Andrew Carnegie was one of the most successful American industrialists of his time. Like many titans of industry he turned to philanthropy later in his career. One of his philanthropic enterprises was the building of Libraries. Carnegie funded many libraries across the country, as well as abroad. His foray into Brooklyn began in 1901 when he signed a contract with the city guaranteeing the construction of new libraries in the borough. It was determined that the five areas with the greatest need for Carnegie branches were Williamsburg, Fulton, Carroll Park, Bedford and Stuyvesant / Bushwick.

Carnegie’s philosophy behind the building of libraries was that those who wished to elevate themselves out of poverty could do so through self-education. Historically, this library catered to a local demographic of Brooklyn Navy Yard workers by providing an extensive collection of books on naval architecture and science. Today, the library offers a place of learning for residents of numerous public housing communities. According to the Brooklyn Public Library, the Walt Whitman branch “is a popular destination for young people, many of whom come to the library to do homework or simply blow off steam playing games”.

---

Sources:

1. "Walt Whitman Library, Fort Greene" Forgotten New York
2. "The Brooklyn Carnegie Library: Walt Whitman Branch" Historic Districts Council
3. "Walt Whitman Library - Local History & Photos" Brooklyn Public Library
4. "Brooklyn Parents Celebrate Improvements at Walt Whitman Library" Students First NY

Bushwick's Carnegie Library

Brooklyn Public Library - Bushwick Branch
Of the Robber Baron turned philanthropists of the late 1800s and early 1900s few had as much of an impact on civic architecture as Andrew Carnegie did. After selling his steel empire to J.P. Morgan, Carnegie turned his attention to philanthropy. One of his favorite charitable contributions was the building of public libraries. Carnegie would build a library for any city that demonstrated a need and was willing to stock, fund and staff the operation of the institution. A self made man of a poor immigrant family, Carnegie believed that libraries would allow the disadvantaged but industrious an opportunity to better their lives through self-education. Many of the architectural gems that were born out of that belief are still in existence today and continue to offer people the chance to expand their opportunities through learning.

Brooklyn Public Library - Bushwick Branch

Library Entrance

Frieze & Arched Pediment Over Entrance

At one time Bushwick had two Carnegie libraries. The first one, designed in Classical Revival style by William B. Tubby, opened in 1905 on Dekalb Avenue. The Dekalb Branch still exists; however, the original Carnegie building has been replaced by a modernist structure. The Bushwick Branch retained its Classical Revival style Carnegie building, which was designed by architect Raymond F. Almiral. The branch first opened on the first floor of a church in 1903. The library moved to Bushwick Avenue and Seigel Street in 1908. Similar to many other Carnegie Libraries built in Brooklyn, the building is a freestanding structure constructed of brick with limestone details and features large windows to allow ample light for reading. The most prominent architectural embellishments are at the building’s entrance and include ionic columns, a frieze with “Brooklyn Public Library” inscribed in it and an arched pediment. 

This part of Bushwick is where I landed when I came to New York a decade ago. The area has little in the way of notable architecture in decent condition except for a few renovated warehouses. So, this little building was a welcome site every time I passed it.

---

References:

1. "The Men Who Built America" History Channel Documentary Series
2. Bushwick Library BrooklynLibrary.org
3. Brian Merlis & Riccardo Gomes Brooklyn's Bushwick Gomerl Publishing, NJ 2012
4. "The Brooklyn Carnegie Libraries" Historic Districts Council

---