New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Old Library

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017

1. The Old Library Marker

Inscription.

The Old Library was designed by Philadelphia architect, Frank Furness, and built by the New Castle Library Company in 1892.

The Library Company, chartered in 1812, had housed its collection of classics and law books in the Academy (built in 1799) across the street. Originally, the library was private: borrowing privileges were limited to members and, it is believed, students at the Academy. In the 1940s, the library became a free public library open to everyone.

This library was replaced by a new library on Delaware Street in 1965. The Old Library was used by the sculptor Maurine Ligon as her home and studio from 1965 until her death in 1979.

Since 1982, the New Castle Historical Society has leased the building for use as a meeting place, library, and museum.

Erected by New Castle Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 39° 39.665′ N, 75° 33.789′ W. Marker is in New Castle, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on 3rd Street south of Harmony Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 East 3rd Street, New Castle DE 19720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Captain John Evans (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Mary Wansey (within shouting distance of this marker); Midshipman John Stockton, United States Navy (within shouting distance of this marker); George Read (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots in the Immanuel Churchyard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named George Read (about 300 feet away); William Penn (about 300 feet away); Frenchtown Railroad Sleepers (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Castle.

Also see . . . Old Library Museum. New Castle Historical Society entry (Submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

The Old Library and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017

2. The Old Library and Marker

The Old Library Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 24, 2017

3. The Old Library Entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.