East Broadway near Chatham Square. Carnegie Library. [J. Trumper Furs and Marrus and Walder on either side.]
1903
East Broadway near Chatham Square. Carnegie Library. [J. Trumper Furs and Marrus and Walder on either side.]
Chatham Branch, NYPL, ca. 1903.
Chatham Square Branch was the first of twelve Carnegie libraries designed by McKim, Mead & White. Completed in 1903, the structure remains one of the most intact Carnegie libraries (interior and exterior) in the city. The Chinatown-located library has served that community nearly since its opening. The library began a circulating Chinese language collection in 1911. Today the Chinese Heritage Collection, a unique collection of materials in English and Chinese, is housed on the lower floor.