Lillian Marrero/Lehigh Avenue Branch
Historical Images of Philadelphia Free Library Departments and Branches
Item Info
Media Type: Albumen Prints
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
The Lehigh Avenue Branch was the third Free Library branch that was built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. Built on land donated by the city, it opened on November 20, 1906. This interior view was taken around the time of its opening. The building has one story, which consists of the main room and the children's room; the raised basement originally had a galleried lecture room, a staff room, kitchen, boiler room, coal bin, storage room, two toilets, pantry, and a dressing room. At the time, this white limestone and terra cotta Beaux Arts-style building was the largest library in Pennsylvania.
The branch was saved from a planned relocation in the mid-1960s, and was instead rehabilitated in 1967. In 2005, the branch was renamed the Lillian Marrero Branch, in memory of Lillian E. Marrero-Rios, a librarian at this branch for many years. She ran a food bank in the library’s basement, which is still in operation.
The branch serves the communities of Central North Philadelphia, Fairhill, St. Edwards/Hartranft, and West Kensington.
Creation Year: ca. 1906
Geocode Latitude: Geocode Longitude:-75.142456
Geocode Latitude:39.992764
Creator Name: Rau, William Herman, 1855-1920 - Photographer