Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Birmingham Public Library / The Linn - Henley Research Library
Photographed By Tim Carr, June 25, 2009
1. Side A The Birmingham Public Library Marker
Inscription.
The Birmingham Public Library, also, The Linn - Henley Research Library. . Birmingham’s first library was organized in 1886 and in 1891 became a subscription library for the general public. In 1908 the Birmingham Public Library Association established a free public library, and the City created an independent Library Board in 1913. For decades the library was housed in various locations including the old City Hall where it was destroyed by fire in 1925. Libraries throughout the U. S. sent books and local citizens contributed for a new building. It opened April 11, 1927, was peacefully desegregated in 1963, served as the main library until 1984, and was renovated and reopened in 1985 as the Linn - Henley Research Library., Reverse: , This four-story Neo-Classical structure designed by architects Miller, Martin and Lewis, was built of Indiana limestone in 1927. A model facility when completed, the library served as a cornerstone of Birmingham’s cultural and educational development. The building was renovated in 1984 by architects Kidd, Plosser, and Sprague and renamed the Linn - Henley Research Library. Special collections housed here include extensive southern history resources, maps, and the city’s first municipal archives. Significant interior features include murals and decorative ceilings painted and installed in the 1920s by nationally known artist Ezra Winter.
Birmingham’s first library was organized in 1886 and in 1891 became a subscription library for the general public. In 1908 the Birmingham Public Library Association established a free public library, and the City created an independent Library Board in 1913. For decades the library was housed in various locations including the old City Hall where it was destroyed by fire in 1925. Libraries throughout the U. S. sent books and local citizens contributed for a new building. It opened April 11, 1927, was peacefully desegregated in 1963, served as the main library until 1984, and was renovated and reopened in 1985 as the Linn - Henley Research Library.
Reverse:
This four-story Neo-Classical structure designed by architects Miller, Martin & Lewis, was built of Indiana limestone in 1927. A model facility when completed, the library served as a cornerstone of Birmingham’s cultural and educational development. The building was renovated in 1984 by architects Kidd, Plosser, & Sprague and renamed the Linn - Henley Research Library. Special collections housed here include extensive southern history resources, maps, and the city’s first municipal archives. Significant interior features include murals and decorative ceilings painted and installed in the 1920s by nationally known artist Ezra Winter.
Location. 33° 31.23′ N, 86° 48.522′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from Park Place. Marker is located in Linn Park next to The Linn - Henley Research Library entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2100 Park Place, Birmingham AL 35203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Side B The Linn - Henley Research Library Marker
. (Submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
Photographed By Tim Carr, December 21, 2009
3. The Birmingham Public Library / The Linn - Henley Research Library Marker
Photographed By Tim Carr, December 21, 2009
4. The Linn - Henley Research Library Of The Birmingham Public Library
Photographed By Tim Carr, December 21, 2009
5. Ezra Winter's Murals In The Main Reading Room Of The Linn - Henley Research Library (West Wall)
Photographed By Tim Carr, December 21, 2009
6. Ezra Winter's Murals In The Main Reading Room Of The Linn - Henley Research Library (East Wall)
Photographed By Tim Carr, December 21, 2009
7. Ezra Winter's Signature Dated 1929
His signature is located on the southeast corner of the east mural.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,649 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.