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Thomas Crane Public Library

Thomas Crane Public Library
Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, Massachusetts (Front view).JPG
The original building (1882), front view, architect H. H. Richardson
Thomas Crane Public Library is located in Massachusetts
Thomas Crane Public Library
Thomas Crane Public Library is located in the US
Thomas Crane Public Library
Location Quincy, Massachusetts
Coordinates 42°15′6″N 71°0′4″W / 42.25167°N 71.00111°W / 42.25167; -71.00111Coordinates: 42°15′6″N 71°0′4″W / 42.25167°N 71.00111°W / 42.25167; -71.00111
Built 1881
Architect Henry Hobson Richardson
Architectural style Richardsonian Romanesque
NRHP Reference # 72000143
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 18, 1972
Designated NHL December 23, 1987
Wollaston Branch, Thomas Crane Public Library
Wollaston Branch Thomas Crane Public Library Quincy MA.jpg
The Wollaston Branch
Location 41 Beale St., Quincy, Massachusetts
Coordinates 42°16′0.44″N 71°1′4.48″W / 42.2667889°N 71.0179111°W / 42.2667889; -71.0179111
Area 0.2 acres (0.081 ha)
Built 1922
Architect William Chapman
Architectural style Classical Revival
MPS Quincy MRA
NRHP Reference # 89001316
Added to NRHP September 20, 1989

The Thomas Crane Public Library (TCPL) is a city library in Quincy, Massachusetts. It is noted for its architecture. It was funded by the Crane family as a memorial to Thomas Crane, a wealthy stone contractor who got his start in the Quincy quarries. The Thomas Crane Library has the second largest municipal collection in Massachusetts after the Boston Public Library.

In fiscal year 2008, the city of Quincy spent 1.41% ($2,690,878) of its budget on the library—some $29 per person.

The Thomas Crane Public Library was built in four stages: the original building (1882) by architect H. H. Richardson; an additional ell with stack space and stained glass (1908) by William Martin Aiken in Richardson's style; a major expansion (1939) by architects Paul A. and Carroll Coletti, with stone carvings by sculptor Joseph A. Coletti of Quincy; and a recent addition (2001) by Boston architects Childs, Bertman, and Tseckares, which doubled the size of the library. H. H. Richardson considered this library among his most successful civic buildings, and Harper's Weekly called it "the best village library in the United States". The library was ranked 43rd in a national poll conducted in 2007 by the American Institute of Architects of the favorite buildings in the nation.

In addition to its architecture, the original building contains a 30 × 10 inch stained glass window by noted American artist John LaFarge in memory of Thomas Crane, entitled the Old Philosopher. To the left of the elaborate carved fireplace is a second LaFarge window, "Angel at the Tomb", given in memory of Crane's son Benjamin Franklin Crane. The library's grounds were designed by landscaper Frederick Law Olmsted.

The main library was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, recognizing it as one of Richardson's finest library buildings.


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