Item Info
Media Type: Albumen Prints
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
The Germantown Library, located in Vernon Hall, officially became the Germantown Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1896. In 1898, its location moved out of Vernon Hall and into Vernon House (also known as the Wister Mansion), also in Vernon Park.
In 1907, the branch was again moved into its final location, remaining in Vernon Park, pictured here in this ca. 1907 exterior view. This building was the fifth Free Library branch built using funds from the $1.5 million Andrew Carnegie grant. The Georgian Revival-style structure was built by architect Frank Miles Day & Brother, at a cost of $69,098. It was constructed of local fieldstone with marble trim, its floor plan having a large main floor, and a basement.
The branch served the Germantown community until 1978, when the Northwest Regional Library officially opened to the public, only a few blocks away. The library building was converted into a senior center.
Geocode Latitude: Geocode Longitude:-75.175773
Geocode Latitude:40.036937
Creator Name: Rau, William Herman, 1855-1920 - Photographer