A grand old building. That’s the Huntington Free Library and Reading Room. It stands proudly in the Bronx. This isn’t just any library. It’s a living testament to history. A place where stories whisper from the pages of time.
The Huntington Free Library and Reading Room opened in 1891. Railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington founded it. He took over a project started by Peter C. Van Schaick. Van Schaick a local philanthropist left funds for a free reading room. The townspeople refused it. They didn’t want to pay for its upkeep. Huntington saw its potential. He added to the building. He opened its doors to the public.
The original building. Architect Frederick C. Withers designed it. He used Victorian High Gothic and Gothic Revival styles. He also designed the Jefferson Market Courthouse. William Henderson added the rear part. This was in 1890. The library is now a New York City landmark. A green iron fence surrounds it. Large chestnut trees shade the area.
Step inside the Huntington Free Library and Reading Room’s reading room. A large engraving of Collis P. Huntington greets you. An oil painting of him hangs above the fireplace. A map of Throggs Neck from the 1850s covers the fireplace. The original visitors’ register is still in use. Booker T. Washington signed it in 1892 and 1894.
The furniture is from the turn of the century. Much of it is original. Three fireplaces still grace the room. Though no longer functional. The piping for the original gas lighting remains. A wood sculpture of the library sits on a bookshelf. Patrolman John H. Jones carved it during his lunch breaks.
The large map case and card catalog are still in use. Vintage typewriters are there too. One is a very early Woodstock electric model. A 1917 Tiffany grandfather clock stands tall. The Huntington Free Library and Reading Room even served as a filming location. Scenes from Boardwalk Empire were shot there in 2012.
The Huntington Free Library and Reading Room. More than a library. It’s a time capsule. A place where history and community intersect. A treasure in the heart of the Bronx. It continues to serve the community. It’s a place to explore stories both old and new.