Washington Heights & Inwood Online

The public libraries of Washington Heights and Inwood have played an important role in serving a community of multi-ethnic groups. Many of these residents rely on the branch libraries for reading material that they would not get anywhere else. The reference rooms within these libraries are bastions of learning that provide magazines, newspapers, periodicals and historical books that are virtually unattainable to the public at large except at educational institutions.

These branch libraries serve as a haven for immigrants who speak little or no English. Books in foreign languages and in English help these people learn what life is like in their new surroundings. English classes are taught as a second language at some of these branch libraries to help them become integrated into the American way of life.

Many of the branches of the New York Public Library constructed in the early part of the 20th century were initially funded by the Astor, Tilden and Lenox Foundations. Others were funded by the Carnegie Foundation.

The Washington Heights Branch of the New York Public Library was founded in 1868 as a subscription library and had 47 original subscribers. When it opened on September 19th of that year, it had 282 volumes on its shelves. It was located on the northeast corner of 156th Street and 10th (now Amsterdam) Avenue and occupied a room over the Mill’s Hardware Store.

By 1870 a 5-cent subscription was started for children and $8.65 was collected. The trustees had, that same year, voted for the free use of the library by members of the police and fire departments.

Over the next 13 years, the library moved twice, and in 1883 the status was changed from subscription to free by a monthly subscription of a generous and unknown benefactor. This sponsor requested that it be made a free library and kept open part of each Sunday and on the condition that the other subscribers continue their donations.

This unknown benefactor and friend of the Washington Heights Free Library proved to be J. Hood Wright (1836-1894) a banker, financier and philanthropist from Philadelphia who took up residence in Washington Heights at what is now Haven Avenue and 176th Street. His property was eventually acquired by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation in 1925 to become a park named in his honor.

One of the other buildings to be occupied by the Washington Heights Free Library was at 922 Saint Nicholas Avenue between 155th and 156th Street. This two-storied building was completed in 1899 and was located on the east side of the street. The Washington Heights Library was absorbed into the New York Public Library in 1901 as a Branch Library. The building is now occupied by the Bethel Holy Church of Mount Sinai.

The New York Public Library celebrated its centennial on May 20, 1995. There was a year-long celebration throughout the system, which culminated on May 20, 1996.

One of the many books written on Washington Heights and Inwood, “In Grandfather’s House” by Grace Krum, best describes the library and its contributions to the community in the 1880s and 1890s. Ms. Krum explains in detail the workings of the Library and what it looked like. She also mentions Mr. Wright and describes in detail his journeys to and from work in a sidebar buggy. She mentions the fact that people could set their clocks by his morning passing to work. When he died, the library was named in his honor.

The present structure housing the Washington Heights Branch was opened on February 26, 1914. It is a four-story brick building designed by architects Carrere and Hastings. The basement has a multi-use auditorium that can hold a maximum of 70 people. As one enters the building and climbs a flight of stairs to enter the main floor, there is a plaque dedicated to the chief benefactor of the library. It reads as follows: “In Memory of J. Hood Wright, chief benefactor of the Washington Heights Free Library of which this branch of the New York Public Library.”

The branch houses young-adult, adult, children’s and reference collections. It also offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. The Branch also has computers for Internet and non-Internet use.

The Washington Heights Branch Library is located at 1000 Saint Nicholas Avenue at 160th Street. For information, hours and services provided by the branch, call (212) 923-6054 or visit the New York Public Library’s Web site. The Bethel Holy Church of Mount Sinai located at 922 Saint Nicholas Avenue can be contacted at (212) 283-9407. Reverend Joseph H. Bell Sr. is the pastor.