Remember those childhood daydreams of palaces filled with books? Here at Howard University, that dream took brick-and-mortar form as the Founders Library. This isn’t just any library. It’s a symbol of the university itself.
Designed by Albert Irvin Cassell, construction began in 1937. Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was president at the time. The cornerstone was laid on June 10, 1937. The Founders Library opened its doors on January 3, 1939. Imagine the excitement. It was the second library built for the university.
Before Founders Library, the university’s books were scattered. They were in the main building and individual college libraries. By 1929, the collection had grown to over 85,000 volumes. The Carnegie Library was strained. A new, state-of-the-art library was needed. Congress stepped in. They appropriated $1 million for the construction.
To build Founders Library, the original main building was demolished. Even the President’s house had to be moved. Upon completion, Founders Library was hailed as a “palace of books”. It became the most comprehensive library at any Historically Black College or University.
The Founders Library dedication took place in May 1939. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes spoke of libraries’ importance. He called them the most important single agency for perpetuating civilization.
The Founders Library is Georgian style. It is a red brick building with a clock tower. It was visible throughout Washington, D.C. It included advanced technology for the time. These included mechanical elevators and air conditioning. The building cost $1.106 million in 1939. It was a major academic structure. Inside, there are five reading rooms. The main reading room measures 120 feet by 32 feet.
The university provided specific instructions. They specified the sizes for the principal spaces. They determined the number of books to accommodate. They requested a tower, reminiscent of the Old Main Building. The site chosen was on top of the hill.
The tower design was borrowed from Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Its dedication to liberty resonated with the library’s purpose. Newspaper headlines called it “Howard Memorial to Founders Is Like Aladdin’s Palace.”
Even the smallest details received attention. Soundproofed walls allowed quiet conversation. Floors were made of cork and rubber. Luxurious rugs invited readers to sink in. The browsing room featured cream-colored drapes and Spanish leather chairs.
The Founders Library is home to over 1 million volumes. It also houses special collections. These include the Channing Pollock Theater Collection. It is also home to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center documents the history and culture of people of African descent. It is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive repositories.
Founders Library also played a crucial role in legal history. Howard University’s School of Law was housed here. Much of the work on Brown v. Board of Topeka, Kansas was completed in this building. Charles Hamilton Houston initiated the case. Thurgood Marshall, his former student, argued it before the Supreme Court.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation recognized the library’s importance in 2012. They named it a “national treasure.”
So, as you stand before Founders Library, remember its rich history. Think about the generations of students who have walked through these doors. Imagine the countless stories contained within these walls. This library isn’t just a building. It is a testament to knowledge, perseverance, and the enduring pursuit of education.