Old East Ham Library

Tucked away on High Street South, the Old East Ham Library whispers stories of a bygone era. This isn’t just any building. The Old East Ham Library stands as a testament to the generosity of philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie and John Passmore Edwards. Before 1850, free public libraries were a rarity in England, numbering only around 30. Then came the 1850 Public Libraries and Museums Act. This allowed larger towns to allocate funds for libraries. Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 and the 1892 Libraries Act further fueled this movement. However, public funding was often insufficient. This is where Carnegie and Edwards stepped in. Their funding brought about the first public libraries in Newham. The Old East Ham Library, originally a Carnegie Public Library, opened in March 1908. It served the community faithfully until 2014. A new East Ham Library was then built nearby. This original building was repurposed as a sixth form college. The Old East Ham Library stands as a reminder of a time when access to knowledge was a hard-won privilege. It embodies the spirit of progress and the power of philanthropy. This beautiful red brick structure, designed by A. H. Campbell, originally served as an extension to the East Ham Town Hall. It boasts stunning yellow terracotta dressings and intricate Jacobean motifs. The central open pedimented rusticated Ionic columned porch is a sight to behold. Above, a gabled oriel window adds to the building’s charm. The cupolaed and battered tower at the south end, with its octagonal buttresses and lantern, is a striking architectural feature.