| Detroit Public Library Main Branch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, United States |
| Architect(s) | Cass Gilbert Sr, Cass Gilbert Jr, Francis Keally |
| Branch of | Detroit Public Library |
The Main Branch is the headquarters of the Detroit Public Library System in Detroit, Michigan. It is located in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood, between Woodward Avenue and Cass Avenue.
Designed by Cass Gilbert, the Main Branch was constructed with Vermont marble and serpentine Italian marble trim in an Italian Renaissance style. His son, Cass Gilbert Jr. was a partner with Francis Keally in the design of the library's additional wings added in 1963. Among his other buildings, Cass Gilbert designed the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C., the Minnesota State Capitol and the Woolworth Building in New York City.
History
In 1901, the Library Commission called a meeting to consider a new Main Library building. At the time, the Centre Park Library on Gratiot and Library street in the downtown district was the main branch. Andrew Carnegie offered $750,000 for the proposed main branch, and the city asked to submit a ballot question regarding issuing $500,000 of library bonds for purpose of complying with Carnegie's offer. However, voters rejected Carnegie's gift in 1907 and approved a $750,000 bond issue. Eventually, Carnegie's offer was accepted in 1910 by Common Council. In 1912, property near Woodward and Kirby was purchased, and in 1913 Cass Gilbert was awarded the architectural contract. The design was a three-floor, early Italian Renaissance-style building at 180,000 square feet. Due to delays and World War I, the Main Library did not open until March 21, 1921. It was dedicated June 3, 1921.
Discussion began as early as 1926 for additions. In 1944, Cass Gilbert Jr. and Francis Keally were named architects for an addition that would extend wings to the north and south. Construction began on the wings in 1957 after Common Council authorized the first issue of library bonds for financing. The north and south wings opened on June 23, 1963, and added 240,000 square feet to the building. The wings were connected along the rear of the original building and a new entrance created on Cass Avenue. Above this entrance is a mosaic by Millard Sheets entitled The River of Knowledge. As part of the addition, a triptych mural was added to the west wall of Adam Strohm Hall on the third floor. The mural by local artist John Stephens Coppin is entitled Man's Mobility and depicts a history of transportation. This mural complements a triptych mural on the opposite wall completed in 1921 by Gari Melchers depicting Detroit's early history.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as a contributing property to the Cultural Center Historic District.
Departments
Special Collections
The Burton Historical Collection, E. Azalia Hackley Collection, Ernie Harwell Sports Collection, and Rare Book Collection are all housed at the Main library.
Gallery
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References
- ^ Cohn, Barbara Madgy; Merritt, Patrice Rafail (2017). The Detroit Public Library: An American Classic. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0-8143-4232-9.
- "DPL History". Detroit Public Library. 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-02-22. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- "Special Collections". Detroit Public Library. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
Further reading
- Christen, Barbara S.; Flanders, Steven (2001). Cass Gilbert, Life and Work: Architect of the Public Domain. W.W. Norton. ISBN 978-0393730654.
- Cohn, Barbara Madgy; Merritt, Patrice Rafail (2017). The Detroit Public Library: An American Classic. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0814342329.
- Hill, Eric J.; Gallagher, John (2002). AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0814331200.
- Meyer, Katherine Mattingly (1980). Detroit Architecture A.I.A. Guide Revised Edition. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1651-4.
- Sharoff, Robert (2005). American City: Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0814332702.
- Woodford, Donald G. (1965). Parnassus on Main Street: A History of the Detroit Public Library. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-1125126868.