Newberry Library

Newberry Library
Life Span: 1893-Present
Location: State and Walton streets
Architect: Henry Ives Cobb

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904

Newberry Library

Chicago Tribune, June 8, 1889

THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY ITS SITE CHANGED FROM THE “HOME-STEAD LOT” TO THE OGDEN BLOCK.
The Trustees Purchase the Historic Landmark from Alfred Cowles for $175,000—Architect Cobb and Librarian Poole Kach Make a Strong Argument for the Change—Reasons for the Choice of a New Location—Points of Interest.
The site for the future home of the Newberry Library has been at last definitely fixed. The old Ogden homestead was purchased by the trustees of the Newberry fund from Alfred Cowles for $175,000. This block and the house is the best known landmark on the North Side. The house is famous as being the only one in that district which passed through the great fire unscathed. The trees on the lot, too, were unharmed, and are now the finest in the citv.

The location of the library on the Newberry homestead lot has not been looked upon for several reasons with entire favor as a permanent home for the great library. Several objections were especially apparent to the architect, Mr. Henry Ives Cobb, when he returned from a study of the library buildings of Europe. With the experience which careful inspection of the principal library buildings of this country and Europe gave him Mr. Cobb undertook to point out to the trustees of the Newberry fund the advisability of a change in the plan of locating on the NewDerry homestead block the building which he was to design.

Mr. Cobb’s Letter
Mr. Cobb wrote to the trustees as follows:

We are now about to settle definitely upon our plans, and hope soon to begin work upon the foundations for the library building. Before it is too late there is one matter that I would like to take the liberty of calling your attention to.

Almost without exception the similar buildings I have seen have been situated on a comparatively open site with ample space about them, often on all sides, and invariably on at least one-the front. This is done partly for architectural effect, since it is essential for the satisfactory appearance of a building for it to have suitable foreground. But a more important factor in the selecting of an open site is to insure proper light, air, and quiet for the interior workings of the library.

In Europe almost all the great libraries are centrally located. The two great reasons for this are: That the people for whom it is intended may readily reach it, and the public library is invariably made one of the principal ornaments of the city.

For example: The new free library at Dublin has a large open space in front of it. The Liverpool library has an open square about it, although in this, as in most libraries, the reading room is lighted from above. In London the great British Museum is now seriously damaged for want of space about it; the officers are now using every effort to secure the tearing down of

a lot of the surrounding houses, and yet here there is an ordinary width street and about ninety-five or 100 feet in front of the building. In Paris the National Library is closely shut in, but the approach is made through an ample private court; this building was arranged years ago. Madrid the new magnificent Royal Library, now in process of erection. is situated in the centre of a great square and fronting upon the principal boulevard with its central parks similar to our Drexel boulevard. In Florence the new building for the National Library, for which the plans have been prepared, is to be situated on an open square in the heart of the city. This square is now covered with comparatively valuable buildings, all of which are to be sacrificed to give proper light and air to the new library building. In Dresden the library was placed across tae river in order to get proper space.

In Berlin there is a large open square in front of the building. In Leipsic the library is placed in the new part of the city. where there is ample space about it. And so I might enumerate almost all the different libraries that I have visited. In this country a noteworthy example is the new Boston library, which is being built in the new part of Boston that they may get space about it.

After months of careful study I have finally worked out a sketch plan that I think substantially embodies all of the necessary requirements for the use of the Newberry Library for the next half-century. This sketch gives a building that, when placed with its extreme northern projection upon the north line of your proposed lot on Rush street (which we have commonly called the “homestead lot”) and its extreme east and west lines within ten feet of the east and west lines of the lot, will have its southern lines within about sixty feet of the south line of the lot. Provided only low buildings were built upon the opposite sides of the streets the space would perhaps be all we could desire for light and air and comparatively satisfactory for architectural effect, but all of the above mentioned buildings have more.
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In looking over the “homestead lot” the morning after my recent return my attention was at once attracted to a building Mr. McCormick is putting up diagonally southwest from your lot. It is to be a ten-story apartment house covering a quarter of a block, and the owner gives me to understand that he intends doubling the size should it prove a financial success. In other cities when a residence neighborhood has been broken into by great apartment houses it has invariably been given over to such buildings. Since the locality we have under consideration 1s peculiarly adapted for such buildings it is only fair to expect others will follow the one now in process of erection. Hence we should consider the “homestead lot” after a number of lofty apartment houses have been built about it.

Another, and certainly the most important, point of view, from which you have already care: fully considered the “homestead lot.” is that of convenience to the majority of the people to whom Mr. Newberry left his great gift. Where do these people live, and where will they live fifty or a hundred years from now? A few, perhaps 1 per cent, will live east of State street, but that 1 per cent is liable to have many books of its own. The great mass of the people for whom the library is to be built will live west of State street.

Owing to the great future size of our city most of the visitors to the library will depend upon some means of public conveyance to reach it: hence the present and future means of public transportation about the site are of vital importance.

The “homestead lot” is situated among a number of the most expensive private nomes in the city and owned by people who would never consent to having horse cars run in front of their doors. Again, the section is so small that no railway company would bother to develop it. It seems evident that the most convenient means of access for the public will always as now be by means of the North State street horse cars, two blocks away.

The only lot in the city that I know of that would be better fitted for the site of the Newberry Library is the lot fronting on Lafayette place, known as the “Ogden lot,” and my object in thus writing you is to suggest that you consider the question of locating your library there instead of on the “homestead lot.”

Recognizing fully the advantages of proximity to the South Side and the beautifal surroundings possessed by the “homestead lot,” as well as the arguments in favor of placing the library upon the same lot that its generous benefactor lived upon, I strongly advocate building the library upon the ” Ogden lot” if it can be secured. The latter lot has one frontage upon a park, another upon North Clark street, another on one of our best residence streets, and a fourt upon a quiet street but little used. Should Lafayette place be closed, as I understand it can be, then an uninterrupted space of several hundred feet to the south is assured in front of the building. North Clark street is now and always will be the main artery of communication not only between different portions of the North Side, but connecting the North with the South and West Sides. On the whole. I consider the “Ogden lot” the most desirable lot on the North Side and in every way admirably adapted for the site of a great reference library.

From conversations I have had with you I know that you carefully considered this matter some time ago, but I have reason to think (from what has come to my knowledge since my return) that the owner of the “Ogden lot” may possibly be disposed to meet your views with reference to the financial question involved in the purchase of that piece of property.—Henry Ives Cobb

Librarian Poole’s Opinion Asked.
Mr. Cobb’s letter called out the following inquiry from the trustees to learn what Librarian Poole’s opinion of a change in the location would be:

Dr. W. F. Poole, Librarian of the Newberry Library

You will remember the only limitation contained in the will of Mr. Newberry relating to the site of the library is that it ‘be located in that portion of the City of Chicago now known as the North Division.”‘

From various sources quite disinterested and entitled to our respectful consideration have questions come to us as to the wisdom of our choice made nearly two years ago of the Newberry homestead block. The observations made by one of the trustees on his recent extended trip abroad, undertaken for the special purpose of the study of libraries, have given added importance to this subject of location. The sole object of the trustees, looking to the future as well as to the present in the location, as in the construction and administration of the library, for which Mr. Newberry made so generous a bequest, is the highest usefulness to the greatest number.

We therefore ask your careful consideration and judgment as to the relative desirability of the two locations: the Newberry homestead block, bounded by Rush and Pine, and Ontario and time streets, and the lot occupied by the late residence of the Hon. Mahlon Ogden, situated on Washington Park, the two properties being about equal in size.

Other things being equal, sentiment would locate this building upon the spot where Mr. Newberry lived for many years.—F. W. Blatchford, William H. Bradley. Trustees.

Mr. Poole’s Reply.
In answer to this Dr. Poole replied as follows:

In reply to your inquiry I beg to state that I gave the subject careful consideration two years ago, and arrived at a definite opinion as to the matter of location. in case both lots named were available. All I have since seen and beard tends to confirm the opinion I then expressed to one of the trustees who asked my views on the subject. Allow me to state some of the points on which my opinion was and is based.

The selection of a location for the permanent building I regard as the most important question connected with the organization of the Newberry Library. The decision must be made not with reference to the needs of the library for a decade, a half century, or a century: but for all time. Removal from a dwelling house. store, or factory is attended with some embarrassment, but the removal of a large library, which has been established for years, from its original site, is attended with great difficulties and with enormous expense. The City of Boston, in moving the location of the Public Library Building, whose corner stone was laid less than thirty-four years ago, is now passing through this experience. Such a removal is a practical abandonment of the whole structure and of all the improvements made upon the premises.

The best selection, in view of all the elements in the problem, should, therefore, be made at first; for fifty or a hundred years hence it will not be possible to procure a location large and central enough for the purpose of the Newberry Library without an immense expenditure of money.

The area of the Newberry homestead lot is so extended that the contingency of finding it insufficient may seem to be too remote to be seriously considered; and yet what could the Bibliothèque Nationale or the British Museum—which in 1821 had only 116,000 volumes and in 1835 only 200,000—now do on a lot of that size? Five acres have been assigned for the new building of the Library of Congress, with more than 600,000 volumes, which in 1850 bad only 50,000 volumes. Is it possible now to name any limit to the number of volumes which the Newberry Library will possess when it reaches the venerable age of many of the European libraries? I have the feeling that this future and its probabilities should be considered and provided for as taras possible in deciding the question now under examination.

The Ogden property, on the other hand, with every advantage possessed by the Newberry homestead lot, has a little more area and has Lafayette place and Washington square adjacent, which, for the present and for many years to come, will be useful as a needed outlook for so large and important a structure. In the remote future they will doubtless meet some of those larger requirements which have been alluded to.

I assume that, in view of the public and beneficent work of the Newberry Library, the City of Chicago will deal liberally with its interests, not hesitating to close Lafayette place and allowing the land to be used as an outlook to the library building. The advantage of having the approach to the building through such a square can hardly be overrated. A suitable outlook on the Newberry homestead lot will require a considerable sacrifice of land.

I will next consider the two locations with reference to convenience of access by the public. As to the location of the library, the will of Mr. Newberry only requires that it ‘be located in that portion of the City of Chicago now known as the ‘North Division.’ It is not necessary in treating this point to consider what are the centres of area or of population, either in the city or the North Division; for these are constantly changing, and never so rapidly as now. During the next month the City of Lake View will doubtless be annexed to the North Division, and large additions will be made to the West and South Divisions. If the centres of area and population could be ascertained and were found to be identical the location would probably accommodate no one. Lines of communication determine locations which are convenient to the public. Dearborn Park, although remote from the centres of area and population, is probably as central and convenient a location for the Public Library as any that can be found, because the street-car lines from the North, West, and South Divisions concentrate near it. For that reason the Ogden lot, adjacent to the Clark street lines, is most convenient to visitors from each of the three divisions; whereas the Newberry homestead lot has no street-car facilities, and being out of the direct line of northern travel is not likely to have such facilities. The residents of the vicinity generally have their own carriages.

It may de said that an institution of the importance of the Newberry Library will attract to it scholarly readers wherever it is located. The remark is true concerning a large class of read-ers, and yet experience shows that another large class of readers will not visit a library habitually if its location be remote from the usual lines of travel. The fact is shown in the two branches of the Philadelphia Library Company. The branch on Juniper street is much frequented because it is easily accessible, while the Ridgeway branch, on Broad street, having a structure which cost $800,000, has only a score of visitors dally because it is not readily accessible.

It may be objected to the Ogden lot that business has already invaded the vicinity; whereas, in the region of Ontario and Rush streets quietude and somnolence reign supreme—a condition which is supposed to be conducive to literary and scientific pursuits. Assuming the supposition—which is questionable—to be correct, it might be advisable to use the homestead lot for a few years it a permanent library building could be moved with the facility of a circus teat and a new location as easily be found for it. Business is invading the whole southern portion of the North Division, and the homestead lot cannot escape this inevitable movement.

A location so near the great centre of trade must eventually yield to the demands of business. The distance from Ontario street to the river is the same as from the river to Madison street on the South Side; and Oak street is the same distance from the river as is Harrison street. Rush street, it it ever was first-class property from the bridge to Ontario street, is so no longer; but is given up to small shops, boarding-houses, and flats.

Some financial reasons suggest themselves to me which favor changing the location of the library from the Newberry homestead lot to the Ogden lot; but as you are more familiar which such matters than I am, perhaps I had better not speak of them. They relate to the point that the exchange could probably be made at this time without pecuniary loss to the estate. That matter will not be new to you. I wish, however, to state that, in my opinion, the exchange of location ought to be made even if a considerable cost is incurred.

I have sought to interview no one on these matters; but Mr. Cowles and others have called on me and conversed freely on the subject. I am impressed with the belief that now is the time to secure the Ogden lot on such terms as will never again be available.

I am sure that the public at large would much prefer the Ogden lot as the permanent location of the Newberry Library.—W. F. Poole, Librarian.

The New Site.
The strong pleas of both architect and librarian were convince to the trustees, and negotiations were begun with Mr. Cowles, which ended yesterday in the transfer of the property.

The property was originally a part of the Newberry estate. It was appraised in the
inventory at $165,000, but a division could not be satisfactorily made among the heirs on this basis, and the property was sold in August. 1881, under the old Ogden mortgage. Mr. Cowles bought it at that time at open sale for $130,000.

The property is the entire block bounding Washington Park on the north. It lies between Clark street, Lafayette place, Dearborn avenue, and Oak street. There is a frontage of 316 feet on Clark street and 212 on Oak street, thus giving an increase in area over the Newberry lot—219×300 feet-of over 1,000 square feet. The price at which the transfer is made is $10,000 or 850,000 less than Mr. Cowles has been holding the property at, and will net him, taking into account the payment of taxes, between 4 and 5 per cent on the original cost, as the revenue has not been large.

The present quarters of the library at No. 338 Ontario street are already too small for the accommodation of the books so far collected. The trustees have decided to erect a one story building for the temporary accommodation of the books on the north side of Oak street, between Dearborn and State streets. This will be 153×216 feet, and it is thought will be large enough for the administrative offices and to hold so much of the library as will be accumulated in the next five years. The new building, which is to be the permanent home of the books, will cost from $500,000 to $750,000. Five years will be consumed in its erection. Work will be begun at an early date.

W. D. Kerfoot was asked for a real estate man’s view of the sale.

“The price at which the transfer was made,” said Mr. Kerfoot, “is at least $25,000 below the market. It is a fine piece of property, and is much superior to the Newberry homestead location. It is unquestionably the most accessible piece of property of its size on the North Side. If Lafayette place is vacated, as it undoubtedly will be, and the whole park be turned into a botanical garden, it will make a location worthy of the great library, and I think the best possible one which could have been found.”

“What effect will it have on real estate values in the neighborhood?”

“I don’t see that it will have any material effect. It has long been a question of interest to the property owners in the vicinity as to what the final disposition of the Ogden block would be and what the character of its improvements were to be. The answer to this question will of course be welcome to property-owners, but values will not be specially changed.”

The old Newberry homestead block still remains in the hands of the trustees. They will put up apartment houses on the site.

Chicago Sunday Tribune, November 12, 1893
The Newberry Library Building is completed. North Side people who have watched the growth of the beautiful structure with pride and satisfaction the last two years will be glad to know that the work of transferring the books from their modest, temporary quartets on the corner of State and Oak streets to their permanent home on Walton place will be begun next week. It is such a home as even the richly bound vellum volumes and rare old illuminated missals, which are the gems of the Newberry collection, must take pleasure in, although they, like all other patricians, have a right to be ag little particular in zhe matter of their abode.

Almost every Chicagoan is familiar with its location. The lot on which it stands faces the pleasant little park known as Washington square, and in the summer time readers will have through the open windows such glimpses of waving trees and green grass as will make them almost ready to exchange musty books for country pastimes. Imposing as the present structure is, it is really only the south wing of the building. The lot extends 318 feet on Clark street and Dearborn avenue and 212 feet on Oak street and Walton place. As the years roll on and Chicago’s population increases the number of books will naturally grow. When the reading rooms begin to show signs of being crowded it is the intention of the trustees to continue the building around the other three sides of the lot, leaving an open court in the center, thus providing ample room for over 4,000,000 volumes. But this will not take place for many years. Meantime Chicago people who love books will be more than content with what has already been provided.

The style of the building, which was designed by Henry Ives Cobb, is Spanish-Romanesque. The massive pile covers an area of 300×60 feet, or nearly half of an ordinary block. Granite from Branford. Conn., has been used in the construction, its warm brown tones lending themselves with results to building purposes of this nature. The effect of two materials has been given thus stone, however, by using for the foundation and first story rough block and for thle three upper stories smooth cut stone. The first Story is severely plain. Only above its line does the building blossom out into ornamentation. There about the windows and in long lines on the facade the stonecutter has Wrought delicate designs in the rough material that suggests strongly the features of Moorish architecture. An unusual number of windows tells even to those who view the structure fromn the outside the story of the fine light afforded every room In each of the four stories. Besides serving the purpose of supplying the library with plenty of sunshine and fresh air the with the traceries about them, are a distinctly artistic feature. The entrance is in the form of a triple arch of stone cut in designs and supported by pillars of granite. A broad flight of steps leads up to this from the street. The great oak door by which gains access to the building is placed in the center arch and opens into a square hall of polished Tennessee marble.

Inside the finish is in harmony with the beauty of the exterior. The upper rooms are Wainscoted with Tennessee marble. The basement floor is concrete, the main floor is white marble, and the floors in the upper stories are of red tile. Most of the window casings and all the wainscoting are of marble, scarcely any wood being used in the construction, so that the structure is almost absolutely fireproof. While the stairs are white marble the railings are of iron and exceedingly ornate, grace and being combined with strength and durability. Electricity is used for lighting and steam for heating. both being supplied by the Edison company from a plant located on the same lot. In the basement are revolving fans or blowers which communicate fresh air through shafts to every room in the building, so that heat and ventilation can be regulated its desired. Access from the basement to all the upper floors is had by main and rear staircases, two passenger and one freight elevator, so that convenient communication is amply provided for.

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The design of the Newberry Library is entirely unlike that of other library buildings, of which are of Gothic or ecclesiastical style, reminiscent of the middle ages, when the church was the sole patron of architecture as well as literature. The plans were adopted by the trustees and architect because they seemed to avoid the numerous faults to which the conventional library was prone. Among these may be mentioned the great waste in the interior, caused by having a large room from thirty to sixty high, with the books on galleries four or five stories high, forming an almost impossible to heat near the floor without spoiling books on the upper galleries and so arranged as to make a difficult task for assistants to give proper attention to the demands of readers.

In this building there is no such open space but numerous small rooms, of which holds but one class of books, every volume of which can be reached by a person standing on the floor, thus obviating use of galleries or step-ladders. Some of the principal departments or classifications of books are fine arts, mechanic arts, political economy, social science, history, religion, science, and biography. As the volumes increase in number and any department becomes crowded it can easily be subdivided and allowed to occupy two rooms. In each room are tables for the use of students or visitors who wish to consult books in that department. This will prove far more agreeable to the average reader than studying in a large like an open court, where a hundred or more persons are engaged in similar pursuits.

A peculiar feature in the plan is the outside corridor, seven feet wide on each floor, by which access is had to all the rooms. The wall on the inside of the corridors has windows, which admit as much light as possible through the corridor into the rooms. Every room is therefore lighted on two sides.

Few books will be kept on floor. One of the large is to be used as a check-room to keep the wraps and umbrellas of visitors in. In another Mr. Poole will have his desk. This will have no furniture except his chair and “roller-top” and such volumes as lie may select. One thing is sure, these will have fine bindings, and not a few of them will relate to fishing and fishers. For to such things the Librarian of Newberry inclines.

In the Dearborn street end of the big building is a great airy apartment devoted to the cataloguers—those useful, but much abused people who in most libraries have no place they can call their own. At the southwest end of the main floor is an auditorium seating 475 persons. This has been arranged with a special view of carrying on University Extension work, for the library aims at being a live educational center as well as repository of books. Near it on the same floor is the periodical room, which is to bo supplied with nnd tables on which all the important newspapers and magazines in the world will be placed.

Up-stairs is the historical room, 30x5O feet, with a for study 12×30 feet supplied with reading tables. The books are shelved behind a railing in cases eight feet high. The wall cases are deep enough to receive folios and quartos. The cases are double, placed back to back, or open on both sides, and will hold all smaller or ordinary books. The capacity of the room is 27,200 volumes.

Another reading-room on this floor is 161×50 feet. Here the encyclopedias, dictionaries, and bound sets of literary periodicals are to be kept. Here, too, people who desire it can have books brought to them to read.

The Newberry Library is the result of the generous provisions of the will of Walter Loomis Newberry, who died in 1808. By this will he bequeathed one-half of his entire estate to the founding of a free public library, to be located in the North Division of Chicago, the establishing of which should be commenced immediately upon the death of his wife, providing that his two daughters should die without leaving lawful issue. In case either should leave one or more children the entire estate was bequeathed to such heirs. The will was so clearly drawn that its validity has never been assailed. A purely collateral question touching the time for the division of the estate, after one of the severest contests known in Illinois courts was decided against the contestants and in favor of the plain language of the will. Mr. Newberry joined with Mark Skinner in the trust E. W. Blatchford, and later, compelled by his own declining strength, Mr. Skinner left his charge to the hands of William H. Bradley. the two trustees had sole charge of the library, as there was no State law under which they could incorporate.

July 1, 1887, the settlement with the heirs was nearly completed and the income from the library half of the estate was ascertained to warrant the trustees in proceeding to found the library in accordance with the foregoing provisions of the will. Accordingly on that date, as an appropriate tribute to the memory of the founder, the trustees resolved to give to the new institution the name of the Newberry Library, and at the same time decided that it should be a reference library.

July 11, 1887, the trustees decided on a site for the library, selecting the block formerly occupied as the Newberry family homestead, bounced by Rush and Pine streets on the west and east and Erie and Ontario on the north and south. Two days later the trustees made choice of William F. Poole, LL. D., for fourteen years librarian of the Chicago Public Library, as librarian of the Newberry Library. Dr. Poole accepted the position, and entered upon his duties the 1st of August. Eminently qualified for the place, he has for over six years performed the arduous duties in a most creditable manner. his work having been approved by the best librarians of the world.

June 7, 1889, the trustees purchased of Alfred Cowles for $175,000 the lot on which now stands the new library building, the price being considered at that time as really less than the actual value of the land by at least $45,000. It was not without some misgiving and not until after mature deliberation that the final home for thel library was thus selected. It was approved by the architect, Henry Ives Cobb; the librarian, Dr. W. F. Poole; and Trustees Blutchford and Bradley.

It was not required by the will that the permanent site of the library should be on the Newberry homestead lot, the only stipulation in that document as to the site being that it “be located in that portion of the City of Chicago now known as the North Division.” The trustees, however, had a desire, to retain the homestead lot for the site, but the new location, in addition to being larger, was in many respects so much better adapted that the change was reluctantly made. The wisdom of the choice has never been questioned.

In addition to being so suitable the Ogden lot is a marked spot in the history of Chicago. It was originally the property of Mr. Newberry, and, as part of his estate, was sold to Mr. Cowles in August, 1861, for $130,000, under thle old Ogden mortgage. The house was for years the Mahlon D. Ogden, and, as all Chicago people know, was the only one in the district which passed unscathed through the great fire. Even the trees upon the lot were unharmed, and some of them are still standing.

Early in 1891 occurred the death of Mr. Bradley, leaving Mr. Blatchford sole trustee with power to appoint his or successor. About this time a law covering the peculiar conditions of the Newberry Library fund enacted at Springfield and Mr. Blatchford concluded to incorporate at once the following twelve residents of Chicago as associato trustees: George E. Adams, Edward E. Ayers, William H. Bradley, Daniel Goodwin, Franuklin 5. Head, Edward S. Ishaim, A. C. AlcClug. Frnaklin MacVeagh, Walter C. Newvberry, Lanibe t Tree, Henry J. Willing, anmd John P. Wilson.

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The new Board of Trustees took up the work where they found it and, with the exception of cutting down some of the appropriations had been decided upon, continued the work of the new library building as originally contemplated. The new board wished to retain the income of the property of the estate, and the saving by them of the original plans is thought to be about $100,000.

The first amount scheduled as one-half of the Newberry estate and reserved by the trustees for the and endowment of the library was $2,149,201.00, much of which was in real estate that not only yields a handsome annual sum but has since continually increased in value.

The books acquired by donation and purchase for the first six months of the library, being the last half of 1887, were 6,457 volumes and 4,907 pamphlets. Of these, 359 volumes and 742 pamphlets were donated. The principal purchase was of books on early American and local history, embracing the collections of nearly all the State historical societies in the country, rare serials, the publications of printing clubs, as well as complete works on genealogy, the late Civil War, and Mormonismn. Sept. 6, 1887, the library was located temporarily at No. 90 La Salle street, where furniture and bookcases were arranged, with accommodations for 7,000 volumes.

The first book given to the library was a copy of the Caxton Memorial Bible, presented Sept. 29, 1877, by the Oxford University Press through the late Henry Stevens of London. it waited in a safe deposit ten years for the library to come into existence. A copy of this Bible, held up by Mr. Gladstone at the Caxton memorial celebration June 30, 1877, the 400th anniversary of the great printer, as “the climax and consummatiOn of the art of printing,” was printed at Oxford, bound in London, and delivered at the South Kensington Exhibition buildings within twelve consecutive hours. The printers commenced to make their preparations soon after midnight, and the printing actually commenced at 2 a. m. The sheets were artificially dried, forwarded to London, folded, rolled, collated, sewed, subjected to hydraulic pressure, gilded, bound, and taken to South Kensington before 2 p. m. The book consists of- 1,052 pages, 16mo., minion type, and is bound in Turkey morocco, beveled boards, flexible back, gilt-lettered on back and inside cover, with the arms of the Oxford in gold on its obverse side. It contains an explanatory inscription and title, “In Memoriam Gui. Caxton,” with the occasion and date of the edition printed at the bottom of each of its thirty-three sheets. The edition was limited to 100 copies, of which the one presented to the Newberry Library is numbered ninety-eight.

During the year 1888 nearly 15,000 volumes were added to the library, which were many musical and medical works, those departments being well filled. At this time the entire musical library of Count Pio Resse of Florence, Italy, was secured. It is composed largely of works by Italian writers on the theory and history of music, including the earliest. One of the most valuable books is the music of .Jacopo Peri’s opera ” Euridice,” known to students of music its the first opera that was ever publicly’ performed. The opera was written for the festivities attending the of Maria de MAedici to Henry IV. of France, and was first performed at Florence Oct. 0, 1600. It was printed in quarto at Florence in 1000, and, bears the dedication to Maria dp MAedici. Nu copy has before been seen in this country, and but one other is known in Europe. The second edition, printed at Venice in 1008, is in the British Museum. Accompanying this volume is the original libretto of “Euridice,” written by Ottavio Rinnecini, and printed at Florence in 1000.

The year 1889 was characterized by wonderful advancement of the library. Over 10,000 volumes were added, making 37,375 then on hand, besides 12,349 pamphlets. During the year there was expended for books and binding $38,018.55, besides $12,704.48 for salaries and incidental expenses.

During 1890 still greater progress was made, nearly 24,000 volumes being added to the library at a cost of $84,258.40, with over $10,000 expended for salaries and other current expenses.

Henry Probasco of Cincinnati presented many valuable gifts at the time his large collection of books purchased. Sonic of thie most valuable of these are as follows: Marble bust of Henry Clay, taken in his prime, by Joel T. Hart; copy of a bust of Dante, by Domenico; bust of Shakespeare, made from the wood of the “Hearne’s Oak,” England; autograph letters of Napoleon I., Frederick the Great, and Meyerbeer; copy of Gregorii Nazianzeni opera, 1570; nineteen Latin manuscripts in parchment, relating chiefly to the Convent of St. Geronima de la Murtrn, with Papal bulls, etc., of dates from 1404 to 1641; ten Spanish manuscripts on parchment, one being a Grant of Absolution, made Oct. 13, 1487, by Don Ynigo Manrique, Archbishop of Cordova, to Don Diego Fernandes de Cordova, Count of Cabra. and to the monks of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Consolacion. with bull of Innocent VIII., dated April 26. 1487, incor- porated in the document; Perpetual Annuity, granted Feb. 1, 1649, by Philip IV., and deeds of sale, grants and perpetual leases to property in Cordova of dates from 1488 to 1619.

In April, 1886, the trustees received notice that George P. A. Healy, the artist, had decided to bequeath to the library a valuable portion of his collection of paintings from the walls of his studio in Paris.

In April, 1890, the library was removed from No. 338 Ontario street to thle northwest corner of North State and Oak streets. At the close of that year the number of volumes hand increased to 60,014 and pamphlets to 23.958.

The Medical Library Association of Chicago had been incorporated with a view of establishing a complete library, but. finding itself unable to accomplish the undertaking, donated all its books during the year to the Newberry Library. The trustees accepted the gift and assumed the responsibility of continuing the work successfully. On consideration of payment for the additions made to its works by the Chicago Public Library, that institution donated all its volumes in this department to the Newberry Library. These two valuable collections amounted to 8,098 volumes and 6,459 unbound serials and pamphlets. This department has since been largely added to, so that it is now so complete as to be highly valued by the medical fraternity and frequently consulted.

The present number of bound volumes is over 117,000, and there are 40,000 pamphlets. When in the new and commodious structure, where there will be no longer lack of room, the increase of books will be much more rapid. In the basement it is the intention of the trustees to establish a bindery, so that the work can be done on the premises, thus saving cost of carting books to a bindery and back again.

Books are not circulated from the Newberry Library, but are used only on the premises for study and reference. The purpose of the library is to meet the higher wants of scholars rather thans the demands of readers of literature. Persons who wish to see the latest sensational novel go elsewhere. The use of books is free to all comers, whether they be residents of Chicago or of the Pacific coast. No tickets or letters of introduction are required.

The departmnent of biography is large and complete. Another one is a collection of the sources of American history, including biography, genealogy, State and local town histories, the publications of historical societies, books on the War of the Rebellion, the Revolutionary and other wars, together with the political and constitutional histories of the Nation and the individual States. The department of music is the largest and best in the country, and for its completeness the musical profession is largely indebted to Georgo P. Upton, vho compiled the original list for purchase and has gratuitously given the library the benefit of his knowledge one of the best musical literature. The collection contains the entire scores of all the great masters in the best editions.

The library recently bought the very interesting collection of books on fish and fishing by Robert Clarke, the veteran publisher of Cincinnati, which numbers about 1,000 volumes in elegant bindings. It is the largest fishing collection in the country. Mr. Clarke was forty years in making it.

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The most interesting single collection in the library is the one of early books and manuscripts purchased by Mr. Henry Probasco of Cincinnati, several years ago. Having large means it was his to own the early editions of the English Bible, the earliest impression of the works of the greatest authors in literature, and specimens of typography made before the year 1500. His leading taste as a collector was in procuring the finest art bindings from the time of Grolier to that of Trantz-Banzonet and Bedford. The collection shows the work of about seventy of the greatest art-binders, and the progress in book binding from the sixteenth century to our time. It has twd Groliers (1550-1505) stamped on the cover, “Ia. Grolierii et Amicorum,” described in Le Roux de Liney’s “Recherches sur Jean Grolier,” and have Grolier’s autograph inside their covers. The Italian, Spanish, and French art of each century are shown, and those with the English of the century are superb. Of the Fremich binders it shows of Bozerian five specimens. Capé twenty-nine, Chambolle-Duru six, David sixteen, Duru eight, Hardy eight, Hardy-Alennil thirty-four, Koehler eight, Lortie eight, Niedrée thirteen, Petit eight, Simier ten, Prautz- Bauzonet thirteen. The collection of art bindings will be chronologically arranged and exhibited under glass, so that the styles can be studied by periods. countries and individuals.

The collection of bibles is very rich. Of the English bibles it has the “Great Bible,” 1539; Cranmer’s” 1541; “Matthews, “John Rogers’ Revision of Coverdale,” 1549; “Jugge’s Revision of Coverdale,” 1565;”,The Bishops,” 1555,; “Geneva Vernie,” 1609; the first edition of Ring James’ version, “He Bible,” 1611; and thim second edition, the same year, called the “She Bible.”

Of Shakspeare there are in the library the four early folios, 1623, 1632, 1664, 1685: of Homer the editions beginning with that of Aldus, 1517; of Dante, nine editions, from 1477; of Horace, eight editions, from that of Aldus, 1519, anid of Petrarch, eleven edi- tions, from 1475 to 1732. It has the folio editions of Audubon’s ” Birds mnd Quadrureds “and of Lipsius’ “Egypt.” Its illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages are very fine and will also be placed on exhibition under glass. The exhibition room, however, will not be ready for some months asid thin interior fixtures and furniture vill not be provided until after the has been moved from its quarters.

Chicago Tribune, March 3, 1929

Unveil Tablet Where House Survived Great Fire
The site of the only house to survive the path of the fire of 1871 received historical recognition from the Gen. Henry Dearborn chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution yesterday when a bronze tablet was unveiled. The residence, the property of Mahlon D. Ogden, later became the location of the Newberry library, 60 West Walton place. It was recalled at the unveiling that the house was saved from the fire through the quick wit of several men who were inside.

Mrs. William C. Fox, regent of the chapter, made the presentation which was accepted by Horace S. Oakley, in behalf of the library trustees. Short talks on the significance of the memorial were made by D. A. R. officers, and the tablet was unveiled by Philip Schuyler Ballard and Edwina Patterson, members of Children of the American Revolution.

Left to right:

Chicago Sunday Tribune, November 12, 1961

Newberry Library Remodeled. Building Closed During Work.
The famed Newberry library building, unchanged on the outside since it was built in 1893, is undergoing a complete interior remodeling program designed to combine the old with the new.

Located on the near north side at Walton place and Dearborn street, the five story stone building, home of a world famous collection of books on the humanities, is closed while remodeling is in progress.

Dr. Stanley Pargellis, Newberry librarian since 1942, gave his staff of 65 a three month vacation while workmen installed a modern air conditioning unit and new heating ducts, put in new lighting fixtures, remodeled windows and doorways, tore out old shelving to make way for new, and plastered or painted nearly every wall in tile building.

Change in Date
“We had hoped to he open by the first of October,” Dr. Pargellis said, “but delays came up. Now we plan to be open for readers by the first of December.”

Dr. Pargellis described the building as “almost an oasis in this rushed world.”

The building s high ceilings and massive interior pillars have remained, for the most part, unchanged. The huge, high windows which catch every ray of sunlight and the wide sloping staircase are as they were when the building was first built.

On the other hand, most of the old wooden shelving is being replaced by less bulky metal shelves. Modern fluorescent lighting has been installed on every floor and almost every room will be outfitted with new furniture.

Rare Book Room
The rare book room has been expanded to hold 250,000 volumes. A vault, such as used in banks, large enough to hold 12,000 books, has been installed in the room. Two new elevators will replace the simple, small elevator now in service. Dr. Pargellis said they will be in service by January.

The lounge for Newberry fellows on the second floor, designed for “afternoon tea and talk,” has been enlarged and will be refurnished. Several smaller, private reading rooms have been added and are designed for use by scholars who spend weeks and sometimes months using the library’s valuable collection.

Dr. Pargellis is expecially proud of the new air conditioning thruout the building.

“This is air conditioning for the books rather than for the people,” he said. ” We will now be able to maintain a constant humidity on every floor. This modern equipment makes the preservation of valuable books much easier.”

Books Not Moved
Not one of the library s 800,000 volumes—some books of which there are few duplicates—has been removed during remodeling operations. Every shelf was covered with sheets of plastic to protect the books from plaster dust. Nevertheless, each book will have to be carefully cleaned, Dr. Pargellis said.

The Newberry library was founded in 1#87. It was established thru the will of Walter Loomis Newberry, a Chicago business man, who left it approximately 2 million dollars when he died in 1868. The terms of his will stated that one half of his estate should become available in 1885 for the establishment and building up of the collection.

Suggestion In 1927
Since its founding there have been several attempts to move the library. Both Northwestern university and the University of Chicago have put in strong bids for the collection to be housed on their campuses.

In 1927, THE TRIBUNE quoted an “authority on near north side real estate,” as calling the library structure “an old dingy building.” He suggested the trustees could lease the site for a combination hotel, office, and store building and move the library to Northwestern university in Lake Shore drive.

Other persons, some of them art experts, have praised the building as a beautiful example of renaissance architecture.

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