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Timeline: What happened when
The Making of the Thomas Crane Public Library The nation’s first public library opened in Peterborough, New Hampshire in 1835. In 1848 legislation was passed to establish such an institution in Boston,...
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The Politics
The People and Politics Few public libraries in the country have a more storied history than that of the Thomas Crane Memorial Library. That history began in the 1870s with a series of events involving...
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The Architect
The Architect: In the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20ieth century, Henry Hobson Richardson was one of three men whose related works transformed American Architecture. Along...
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The Art
Museum Quality Art Glass:Famous artist John LaFarge created the “Old Philosopher” stained glass window in the Richardson Building as a memorial to Thomas Crane. Made up of more than 1000 pieces of...
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The Landscape
Landscape: Not only was the original Thomas Crane Library built by the most famous architect of the time, its grounds were designed by the most famous landscaper of the time-Frederick Law Olmsted. “I...
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Who is Thomas Crane?
THOMAS CRANE NEVER SAW THE LIBRARY THAT BEARS HIS NAME Born on Georges Island in Boston Harbor in 1803, Crane was seven years old when his family moved to Quincy. He was 26 when he left the Quincy...
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The Building
Distinctive Design Welcome to the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy Massachusetts. Dedicated in 1882, the original part of this library that now serves 90,000 residents in a city nine miles south...
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Bibliography
We are a national favorite. In a 2007 survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects and Harris Interactive in celebration of AIA's 150th anniversary, Americans ranked Richardson's Crane...
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Thomas Crane Library Website
Please click here to visit the Thomas Crane Library Website. Check out out our calendar of events and newsletter for everything from movies and lectures to live music and children’s activities. Thanks!
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A National Favorite
We are a national favorite. In a 2007 survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects and Harris Interactive in celebration of AIA's 150th anniversary, Americans ranked Richardson's Crane...
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