Introduction to Library Art Tour
Title
Introduction to Library Art Tour
Description
Welcome to the Peabody Institute Library, one of the first free libraries in the nation.
In 1852, George Peabody, who was born just a mile down Washington Street, donated $10,000 for the creation of the first Peabody Institute. By the time of his death in 1869, Peabody would have donated $217,000 just to our library.
The Peabody Institute was established as both a public library and a lyceum. Speakers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips and Josiah Quincy spoke here. In addition to the library’s role in adult education, art has also been an important part of its history.
Included within our collection are the works of many artists, including George Catlin, Frederic Remington, Emile Gruppé, Thomas Ball, Charles Osgood and John James Audubon. But the art found here is more than painting hung from our walls. The very architecture of the building is also of interest. The original building measured 50 by 82 feet. Today this section contains the circulation and reference services on the first floor, the technical service area on the second floor and some third floor stacks. The architect chosen for the project, Richard Bond, was a prominent architect of the time. He also designed Salem City Hall and the Essex County Courthouse on Federal Street in Salem. The library is built of brick with sandstone trim on a granite foundation in an Italianate style, which was one of the most popular architectural styles of the time. In 1866, the library was enlarged to create the Eben Dale Sutton Room, which was the library’s first reference room. The front portico was added on at that time as well.
In 1852, George Peabody, who was born just a mile down Washington Street, donated $10,000 for the creation of the first Peabody Institute. By the time of his death in 1869, Peabody would have donated $217,000 just to our library.
The Peabody Institute was established as both a public library and a lyceum. Speakers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips and Josiah Quincy spoke here. In addition to the library’s role in adult education, art has also been an important part of its history.
Included within our collection are the works of many artists, including George Catlin, Frederic Remington, Emile Gruppé, Thomas Ball, Charles Osgood and John James Audubon. But the art found here is more than painting hung from our walls. The very architecture of the building is also of interest. The original building measured 50 by 82 feet. Today this section contains the circulation and reference services on the first floor, the technical service area on the second floor and some third floor stacks. The architect chosen for the project, Richard Bond, was a prominent architect of the time. He also designed Salem City Hall and the Essex County Courthouse on Federal Street in Salem. The library is built of brick with sandstone trim on a granite foundation in an Italianate style, which was one of the most popular architectural styles of the time. In 1866, the library was enlarged to create the Eben Dale Sutton Room, which was the library’s first reference room. The front portico was added on at that time as well.
Creator
Local History Resource Center at the Peabody Institute Library
Rights
All copyrights belong the Peabody Institute Library
Collection
Citation
Local History Resource Center at the Peabody Institute Library, “Introduction to Library Art Tour,” Peabody Institute Library, accessed May 7, 2024, https://peabodyinstutelibrary.omeka.net/items/show/35.