1911day.year
The New York Public Library is dedicated.
On May 23, 1911, the New York Public Library's iconic main branch on Fifth Avenue was officially dedicated as a grand public institution.
Designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Carrère and Hastings, the main branch featured a monumental façade and two lion statues nicknamed Patience and Fortitude.
At its opening, the library housed over a million books, serving as one of the world's largest marble buildings.
The dedication ceremony underscored New York City's commitment to free public education and cultural enrichment.
Scholars, writers, and the general public quickly embraced its vast reading rooms and research collections.
Today, the library remains a cherished landmark and a hub of knowledge for millions of visitors each year.
1911
New York Public Library