Harleston Village in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Site of the First Public Lending Library in the American Colonies

Site of the First Public Lending Library in the United States Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2019

1. Site of the First Public Lending Library in the United States Marker

Inscription. This land, granted 1680 to John Coming, is part of the glebe given in 1698 to the English Church by Mrs. Affra Coming. The provincial library established in 1698 was in St. Philip’s Church Parsonage which stood on this site until 1858 when a girls’ school, later named Memminger, was built thereon. The property was conveyed to St. Michael’s Church in 1797 and by it to the City Board of School Commissioners in 1899.
Placed by
The Historical commission of Charleston, S.C.
1955

Erected 1955 by Historical Commission of Charleston, South Carolina.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1698.

Location. 32° 46.88′ N, 79° 56.104′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Harleston Village. Marker is on Saint Philip Street just north of Beaufain Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level, beside the sidewalk, near the east-side gate of Memminger Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Beaufain Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Septima Clark Birthplace (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Affra Harleston Coming (about 400 feet away); President's House (about 500 feet away); Riviera Theatre (about 600 feet away); St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (about 700 feet away); Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Also see . . . The oldest of them all?. This link summarizes several libraries or library sites around the United States, including this one, with unique "oldest" bragging rights based upon various specific parameters. (Submitted on October 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Site of the First Public Lending Library Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 3, 2019

2. Site of the First Public Lending Library Marker (wide view)

Marker mounted on left side of right gate.
Memminger Elementary School in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.