Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Maryland
The State's only Carnegie libraries were built as Baltimore branch libraries. I have no postcards of any of these.
Baltimore (Enoch Pratt Free Library)
Opened in 1886, it's one of the country's premier libraries. Today, it not only serves the City, it includes the Maryland State Library Resource Center.
The Library has a great history page, albeit well-hidden. One of its highlights came in October, 1886, when the first borrower's card was issued to an African-American, Harry S. Cummings. Another was its four Carnegie grants between 1905 and 1908. However, this building was not built until 1931.
This Tichnor Bros. card was mailed in 1946.
This is the Edgar Allan Poe Room of the Enoch Pratt Library. It dates back to 1934, the 125th anniversary of the author/poet's birth.
Did you know that material pertaining to him is called Poeana?
Chevy Chase
The building also included the post office on a pre-1907 postcard.
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Today, the Library is part of the Montgomery County Public Libraries, and this building is no longer in use.
Frederick (Frederick County Public Libraries)
The C. Burr Artz Library was built in 1938.
Replaced along the way. Fate of the original building unknown.
The building in the background is a Prebyterian church.
Marken & Bielfeld postcard, probably printed by Curt Teich in 1951.
Hagerstown (Washington County Free Library)
AKA WCFL.
I hate taking information from a Wikipedia page, but for this library, I have little choice.
Built at the turn of the last century from a Bruce Price Neo-Georgian design, this building was replaced in 1965.
Still standing (2012).
According to this post-1965 Kelley Studios card, this is:
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The 2nd oldest county library in the US (1901).
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The user of the first bookmobile in the world (1905).
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39,000 square feet: not that impressive by today's standards.
The inset shows the bookmobile. Sorry, I don't think a horse-drawn wagon = bookmobile.
Kensington (Noyes Library)
This postcard was mailed in 1910 by the newly appointed librarian of Noyes Library. Although the Library has a long and well-written history, it doesn't give the roster of librarians over the years. All I know is that s/he had Mrs. R.C. Vernon of Madison, Wisconsin as a sister.
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The Library today is a children's library.
Leonardtown (Tudor Hall, St. Mary's County Memorial Library)
This is known as Tudor Hall, the headquarters of St. Mary's County.Library System. I believe it to have been replaced.
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The Artvue Post Card was never mailed.
Oakland (Ruth Enlow Library)
Still in use, as a branch of the Ruth Enlow Libraries of Garrett County. This 1950 library building was named for the daughter of the benefactor, according to its brief history page.
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I have to say that this is my favorite Delmarva library building.
Salisbury (Wicomico Public Library)
1963 building of no great distinction, remodeled in 1978-80.
Plastichrome card captures a few details of daily life.
Westminster (Davis Library)
Converted Methodist church, opened in 1951 as the Davis Library.
Taken over by Carroll County in 1958. Replaced in 1980: fate unknown.
1952 Curt Teich linen-finish card, reprinted along the way.
Williamsburg
Also part of WCFL today. This building is replaced: I don't know its fate.
Silvercraft brand of Dexter Press postcards.