History:

The town of Hyde Park opened its first library in the Cobb's block of Everett Square in 1873. In 1884 it moved to larger quarters in the Masonic Block at the corner of Harvard Avenue and River Street. Ground was broken for the Town Library in December of 1898 and the magnificent building was opened in September, 1899. The Library became a branch of the Boston Public Library when the town joined the City of Boston in 1912. The marble fireplace, high ceilings, and turn of the century details have charmed patrons for generations. In 1997 ground was broken for a new addition and a renovation of the existing building. The project, which doubled the size of the branch, was designed by Schwartz/ Silver Architects. A grand reopening ceremony with Mayor Thomas M. Menino was held in January 2000.