Free Library of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Branch, 8711 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Significance: Chestnut Hill was one of twenty-five branch libraries constructed between 1904 and 1930 by the Free Library of Philadelphia using a $1.5 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation. Andrew Carnegie's public library construction grants were a major impetus for the growth of these institutions throughout the country. Philadelphia was second only to New York City in the size of its Carnegie grant and number of branch libraries constructed. Each jurisdiction receiving Carnegie library funds was responsible for providing a site and operating expenses equal to ten percent of the cost of construction. Prior to receiving the Carnegie funds in 1903, branch libraries of the Free Library of Philadelphia (founded 1891) were housed in a variety of preexisting structures. The Carnegie library construction campaign provided twenty-five purpose-built branch libraries for the City of Philadelphia, each designed within the current ideal of efficient operation and using fashionable, but conservative, architectural forms and motifs.

Chestnut Hill was the eighth Carnegie branch library built. It was designed by the prominent local firm of Cope and Stewardson using symmetrical, Georgian Revival forms and motifs and the gray random ashlar stone characteristic of local building traditions. This library still serves the affluent neighborhood of Chestnut Hill on the northern edge of the city of Philadelphia as part of the Free Library system.

Survey number: HABS PA-6750
Building/structure dates: after. 1905- before. 1909 Initial Construction