Historic Westchester

Westchester Through the Centuries

Colonial Westchester
The first of three photo collections from the Westchester County Historical Society - focused on buildings from the Colonial Era.
Westchester in Early America
The second of three photo exhibits from the Westchester Historical Society - focusing on the 50 year period between 1780-1830.
Gilded Age Westchester
The last of three photo collages from the Westchester Historical Society - showing the buildings and mansions that made up late 19th century Westchester.
Westchester County Center
Opened in 1930, the Westchester County Center remains a public focal point for events and entertainment into the 21st century.

Historic Public Libraries

The Westchester Library System acts as a consortium for the independently governed libraries of Westchester.

Some, shown below, are as notable for their architecture as their collections

Westchester Library System
"Westchester Library System (WLS) collaborates with 38 libraries in Westchester County to provide access to resources and services and to enhance and support library service for the more than 940,000 residents.[sic] We are one of New York State’s 23 public library systems which were established in 1958 by State Education Law."

Historic Libraries of Westcheser

Bedford Free Library
Bedford chose to use the word FREE, as opposed to libraries where one had to buy a subscription. The Bedford Free Library is the oldest library building in Westchester. Started in 1807 inside the Bedford Academy building, it would later encompass the entire school building.

Mount Vernon Public (Carnegie) Library
Built in 1904, and the only Carnegie Library still in use in Westchester County, the Mount Vernon Public Library is the central library of the Westchester Library System

New Rochelle Carnegie Library
Opened in 1914, this Carnegie library served the city until the current Central Library opened in 1979.

Field Library of Peekskill
Although Peekskill has subscription (membership) libraries since the 18th century - the Peekskill Free Circulating Library became known as the Field Library. This structure, still standing - housed the library from 1924 to 1978
Rye Free Reading Room
Before the term "public library" became universal, towns (cities) such as Rye would often call their Libraries, "reading rooms." Free meant they were open to the general public without a membership fee
Yonkers Carnegie Library
The First Public Library in the City of Yonkers, (opening in 1904) and its main branch until its controversial demolition in 1982. It was later "replaced" by the Yonkers Riverfront Library.

Reference & Instruction Department

Reference & Instruction Department
Fordham University Libraries

Walsh Library ♦ Rose Hill Campus  ♦ 718-817-3586
Quinn Library  ♦ Lincoln Center Campus  ♦ 212-636-6050
Fordham Westchester Library  ♦ Fordham Westchester Campus  ♦ 914-367-3061
library@fordham.edu   ♦   text 71-TXTX-1284 ♦  Ask a Librarian (Chat)

New York - Westchester County: Historic Westchester

Westchester Through the Centuries

Historic Public Libraries

Historic Libraries of Westcheser

Reference & Instruction Department