History

Hyde Park’s first library opened in the Cobb’s block of Everett Square in 1873, and by 1884 moved to larger quarters at the corner of Harvard Avenue and River Street. The magnificent classical building was built and opened in 1899, and became a branch of the Boston Public Library when the town of Hyde Park joined the City of Boston in 1912. The marble fireplace, high ceilings, and turn of the century details are among its charming features. The year 1997 saw ground broken for a new addition and renovation of the existing building. The firm Schwartz/Silver Architects designed the project, which ended with a grand-reopening ceremony held in January 2000. The Hyde Park Branch Library was awarded a 2006 Best Accessible Design Award, which honors the design and construction of facilities that provide access to persons with disabilities. This award is sponsored jointly by the Boston Society of Architects and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board.