Stepping onto the leafy, sun-drenched Tulane campus, you might miss it at first. But there it is, looming above the vibrant green: the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. With its imposing facade and seven floors stuffed with over 2.4 million books and artifacts, it’s a beacon of knowledge and learning in the heart of New Orleans. It’s not just a library, it’s a silent giant that’s seen generations of students and scholars pass its doors.
The name Howard-Tilton has an intriguing history These two names came together in 1938 when three libraries – the Howard Memorial Library, Tulane’s original Tilton Library, and the Newcomb library – merged into one grand institution. The original Tilton Library, dedicated in 1902, was a gift from railroad magnate Frederick William Tilton. It stood out as a testament to his desire to give back to the community. The Howard Memorial Library, dating back to the 19th century, boasted a collection of handwritten documents and manuscripts, collected by Charles T. Howard, the first president of the Louisiana Lottery in 1869. It was a testament to his family’s commitment to culture and scholarship.
The Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, housed in a building constructed in 1968, has become a symbol of resilience. The storm surge from Hurricane Katrina flooded the basement of the library, putting its collection and its future in jeopardy. Over a 10-day period, volunteers and dedicated professionals waded through the muddy remnants of the library, salvaging and restoring everything they could. It’s a testament to the strength of a community and their devotion to preserving knowledge and history.
Though the basement remains bare, the library stands tall and proud. Today, it offers students, faculty, and the community a place to immerse themselves in the world of knowledge. The Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is not just a building filled with words on pages, it’s a sanctuary for intellectual exploration.