Richmond Hill Branch, Queens Public Library

The Richmond Hill Branch of the Queens Public Library is one of seven public libraries in Queens built with funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. There was an earlier lending library for Richmond Hill locals established by Ella J. Flanders in 1899; this library building was dedicated in July 1905. A rear addition in 1929 housed the children's library. The building is also noted for a large mural inside, showing several scenes from Richmond Hill's history. The mural "The Story of Richmond Hill" was painted by Philip Everwood as part of the Works Progress Administration program in the mid-1930s. The building continues to be used as a public library and is a contributing building to the Richmond Hill National Register Historic District, listed in 2019.

The first library in Queens was established in Flushing on a subscription basis in 1858; it became a free library in 1884. Seven local libraries were added in the 1890s, including at Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill was one of seven Queens library funded in part by matching funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Besides Richmond Hill, three other Carnegie Libraries are still operating in Queens, at Astoria, Poppenhusen, and Woodhaven. The Astoria Library was estimated in 1903 to cost $26,200 for a two-story brick structure. All of the local libraries except Flushing joined to form the Queens Library in 1901. Soon, Flushing and a new Carnegie library at College Point joined. A traveling library was set up in Queens for less-populated areas beginning in 1906; it was extended by the 1910s to schools and prisons. Bookmobile service, hospital library service, and shut-in service were added in the 1930s.

A Miss Easby was the librarian at Richmond Hill in 1901, in a temporary location. The following year, a Miss Bragaw was the librarian. The Richmond Hill branch was the busiest library in the Borough of Queens for the month of November 1903, with over 3,700 books circulated. The Richmond Hill branch library building was designed by the firm Tuthill & Higgins. A triangular tract that had been a park was chosen for the new library. Ground was broken in June 1904 and the foundation walls were nearly finished by July 1904. The finishing touches were still being made on the building in June 1905; the grand opening was in July 1905. The main speaker at the dedication ceremony was the Vice President of the Queens Borough Library, Mr. Fox. Jacob A. Riis, a prominent local man and author of a biography of President Theodore Roosevelt, offered portraits of himself and of Roosevelt to be hung in the new library but they were refused. According to the President of the Board of Trustees of the library system, Dr. Walter G. Frey, the library did not want to break tradition by hanging portraits of those who were still living. In all of 1907, over 63,000 volumes were borrowed at the branch. Miss Carrie Crysler was the chief librarian at Richmond Hill in 1909; she took a few months off that year after having surgery for appendicitis.

Philip Everhard's (1901-1973) mural in the main reading room of the Richmond Hill branch was painted from 1936 to 1937. It depicts several sides to Richmond Hill's history. The left side represents a lighter, bucolic lifestyle with folks dancing and relaxing outdoors in the countryside. The right side is grittier, with manual laborers and children in the city. The middle of the 160-square-ft. mural shows planners and dreamers.

Anonymous. "Around About Town." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) April 9th 1901. 6-6.

Anonymous. "Meeting of Library Club." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) May 23rd 1902. 1-1.

Anonymous. "Plans for New Buildings." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) July 10th 1903. 1-1.

Anonymous. "Richmond Hill and Morris Park." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) December 4th 1903. 4-4.

Anonymous. "Around About Town: Richmond Hill and Morris Park." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) June 17th 1904. 4-4.

Anonymous. "Around About Town: Richmond Hill and Morris Park." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) July 15th 1904. 4-4.

Anonymous. "Around About Town." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) May 26th 1905. 8-8.

Anonymous. "Carnegie Library Dedicated." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) July 7th 1905. 1-1.

Anonymous. "Pictures of the Living Not Wanted." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) July 7th 1905. 1-1.

Anonymous. "Around About Town: Richmond Hill." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) January 7th 1908. 6-6.

Anonymous. "Around About Town: Jamaica Brevities." Long Island Farmer (Jamaica) September 17th 1909. 8-8.

Library of Congress. 'The Story of Richmond Hill' mural... by Philip Everhard..., Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Accessed May 29th 2022. https://www.loc.gov/item/2009632212/.

Queens Public Library. History, Queens Public library. January 1st 2022. Accessed June 7th 2022. https://www.queenslibrary.org/about-us/queens-public-library-overview/history.

Historic Districts Council. Queens Public Library, Richmond Hill Branch , Six to Celebrate. January 1st 2018. Accessed June 7th 2022. https://6tocelebrate.org/site/queens-public-library-richmond-hill-branch/.

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