| 1897 |
 |
November 2: Philadelphia voters approve a referendum for a new central library building |
|
|
 Horace Trumbauer begins the design of Lynnewood Hall, library trustee
Peter A. B. Widener's mansion in Elkins Park |
| 1898 |
|
Free Library founder Dr. William S. Pepper dies |
|
|
June 17: Mayor Charles F. Warwick signs an ordinance creating a loan that
includes "one million (1,000,000) dollars for library site and building:
PROVIDED, Not more than one million (1,000,000) dollars shall be expended
by the City in payment of site and erection of building" |
|
|
Peter A. B. Widener donates his mansion at Broad and Girard Streets
for the Free Library's Josephine H. Widener Memorial Branch |
| 1899 |
|
October 27: Legal counsel informs Free Library officials that they cannot
construct a library building on Logan Square |
| 1900 |
|
 May 8: Free Library's Josephine H. Widener Memorial Branch opens after
renovations by Horace Trumbauer |
|
|
November 9: Free Library officials consider the old United States Mint at Chestnut and Juniper Streets as a site for the new central library building |
| 1902 |
|
November 15: Free Library officials accept sealed proposals for a site for the new
central library building |
|
|
November 28: Free Library officials reject all sealed proposals for sites for the
new central library building |
