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368:. In the late 1870s the popularity of lecture series diminished. The institute noted: “We have a library, not an institute; its members are, at least half of them, ladies; and the men belonging are old as well as young; being therefore, not alone for the young, not alone for men, and not an institute but a library, it seemed time to call it by its right name.” In 1878, the private institution changed its name to the Hartford Library Association.
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Within two years from the start of the campaign, the city raised $ 406,000. On
September 15, 1892, with the city appropriating tax money for free library service, thelibrary opened. On the first day, 388 names were registered; by the tenth day, 2,160 names were entered. On May 3, 1893, by a special
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By the late 19th century, the people of
Hartford recognized the need for a free public library. An agreement was reached between Wadsworth Atheneum regarding property ownership. A request for funds went out to city residents so that the building could be modified with a new library wing added to the
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organized lectures and debates for young men and called this association the
Hartford Young Men's Institute. They invited Hartford Library Company subscribers to join with them, offering them lifetime memberships. Library company members agreed and brought to the institute their collection numbering
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A unique feature of the
Hartford Public Library is its Hartford History Center. It is the library's specialized collection focused on the story of Hartford: its history, its authors, architecture, photographs, pamphlets, periodicals, books, postcards, trade publications, city directories, prints,
263:, United States. The library's main branch is located at 500 Main Street in downtown Hartford. The nine branch locations are named Albany, Barbour, Blue Hills, Camp Field, Dwight, Goodwin, Mark Twain, Park and Ropkins. All branches feature free public access computers and free
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In 1957, the
Hartford Public Library moved from the Wadsworth Atheneum into a new building just two blocks away. Designed by Schutz and Goodwin, the 94,448-square-foot (8,774.5 m) building at 500 Main Street included modern reading and reference rooms.
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and Thomas Y. Seymour. The
Library Company was a subscription company and opened with some 700 books. The Library Company changed its name to the Hartford Library Company in 1799 and met in the Grammar School House, once located where the east end of the
319:, eventually sharing space with the fine arts gallery, the Watkinson Library, The Connecticut Historical Society and the Hartford Art School. One of the Institute's most prominent librarians from 1846-1868, essayist Henry M. Bailey wrote in 1850
383:, pledged $ 50,000 from New York; other large donors included Lucy Morgan Goodwin and her sons J.J. Goodwin and the Rev. Francis Goodwin; the Keney brothers; and, Hartford banker Roland Mather. Contributions were made by the employees of
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In 1998, to fully meet the needs of the public, the library completed a 145,000-square-foot (13,500 m) expansion and renovation at a cost of over $ 42 million. It was completed in 2007.
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The library today operates under the original charter granted to the
Hartford Young Men's Institute of 1839. The majority of the library's operating cost now comes from the City of Hartford.
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offered the Young Men's
Institute a stake in what he hoped would become the cultural center of Hartford. Members accepted and, in 1844, the Young Men's Institute moved into the new
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The archives of the City of
Hartford, from 1619 forward. Described by the state archivist as the most complete city records anywhere in the country.
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back of the original structure. Funds were also needed to pay for the ongoing maintenance of what was to become the new public literary.
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The
Hartford Public Library began in 1774 as the Library Company, started by a group of city leaders. The founding members included
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300:(Hartford City Hall) is today. Its first librarian was Solomon Porter, a Yale graduate and principal of the Grammar School.
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Only complete minutes and records of Hartford's Court of Common Council and Board of Aldermen, 1784–present.
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as its head librarian. She was 29 years old. She held the position for 51 years, until her death in 1926.
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Records, drawings of the Engineering Department, Public Works Department, and Hartford Housing Authority.
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Extensive poster collection of Hartford events, performances, happenings and works by Hartford artists.
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act of the general assembly, the library's name was formerly changed to the Hartford Public Library.
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The institute's lecture series was well attended for a number of years. Guest lecturers included
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The City Parks Collection, documenting the growth of the city park system from 1850.
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In 1838, Hartford resident and the first United States Commissioner of Education
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More than 2,000 people donated money to this project. Hartford native
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Extensive postcard collection of Hartford, 19th-20th centuries.
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Marc-Yves Regis photographic record of Hartford's North End.
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The institutional archives of the Hartford Public Library
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539:. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing. pp. 175–176.
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and beats against the windows. All without is cold and
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The holdings in the Hartford History Center include:
326:"It is a stormy evening: the rain patters on the roof
223:, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a
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559:2002 National Award for Museum and Library Service
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496:The Tony Bonee photographic collection 1940-1999
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1084:Libraries in Hartford County, Connecticut
333:In 1875, the Young Men's Institute hired
243:Learn how and when to remove this message
77:Learn how and when to remove this message
379:pledged $ 100,000 from London; his son,
40:This article includes a list of general
745:Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
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16:For the library serving the village of
204:contains content that is written like
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1094:Library buildings completed in 2007
1089:Library buildings completed in 1957
537:The Library: An Illustrated History
1074:Education in Hartford, Connecticut
929:Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
46:it lacks sufficient corresponding
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571:Hartford Public Access Television
493:photographic collection 1950-1976
770:Connecticut Governor's Residence
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1069:Public libraries in Connecticut
934:Statue of Christopher Columbus
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765:Connecticut Convention Center
142:9 + 1 Mobile Services Library
450:American Library Association
432:Matthew K. Poland, 2009–2016
287:, George Bull, Elisha Colt,
800:Harriet Beecher Stowe House
435:Bridget Quinn, 2016–present
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780:Connecticut State Capitol
470:posters and memorabilia.
429:Louise Blalock, 1994–2008
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459:University of Washington
944:Statue of Israel Putnam
750:Cathedral of St. Joseph
554:Hartford Public Library
535:Murray, Stuart (2009).
465:Hartford History Center
257:Hartford Public Library
103:Hartford Public Library
92:Hartford Public Library
61:more precise citations.
939:Statue of Horace Wells
820:Trinity Health Stadium
323:about the mood there:
362:Charles Dudley Warner
342:Oliver Wendell Holmes
321:Thoughts in a Library
261:Hartford, Connecticut
225:neutral point of view
182:http://www.hplct.org/
1038:Hartford–Springfield
308:over 3,000 volumes.
972:Hartford Yard Goats
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366:Ralph Waldo Emerson
259:serves the city of
217:promotional content
825:Wadsworth Atheneum
790:Constitution Plaza
594:41.762°N 72.6743°W
426:Patricia Berberich
354:Henry Ward Beecher
317:Wadsworth Atheneum
298:Municipal Building
291:, George Goodwin,
281:Jeremiah Wadsworth
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423:, 1893–1926
381:J.P. Morgan
131:Established
59:introducing
1063:Categories
916:Public art
891:Blue Hills
845:Government
585:72°40′27″W
582:41°45′43″N
522:References
395:Modern era
213:improve it
147:Collection
42:references
1010:Local bus
1000:CTfastrak
906:Parkville
858:City Hall
835:XL Center
687:Geography
665:Education
415:Directors
311:In 1842,
233:June 2024
896:Downtown
740:Armsmear
702:Timeline
565:See also
139:Branches
117:Hartford
113:Location
976:Former
692:History
677:Culture
660:Economy
352:, Rev.
271:History
178:Website
168:125,000
55:improve
954:Sports
714:People
653:Topics
385:Colt's
348:, Dr.
44:, but
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868:Mayor
709:Media
265:Wi-Fi
489:The
364:and
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152:Size
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