NYPL: Inwood Library

1902 - present

The original Inwood Library was to be established in 1861 on the site of the Old Hamilton Free School, established by Eliza Hamilton, the widow of Alexander Hamilton. After receiving funds from the Dyckman family trustees, they decided to build the new library where the Dyckman Farmhouse stands today; they named it the Dyckman Library. In the early 1900s, the New York Public Library partnered with the Dyckman Library at the time and established various small businesses as holders of shared collections in which the neighborhood could use and read; however, it wasn’t a library branch yet. It was then established as a sub-branch in the George Washington High School building, in the study hall. In 1952, after years of the New York Public Library establishing its presence in the neighborhood, the Branch moved into the building it is currently located. It is the northernmost library located in the Manhattan Borough. Given that the Inwood Library is located within a predominantly Hispanic and multi-ethnic community, it offers a wide range of books in various languages, English classes, and various programs aimed at children, teens, and adults. Today, the Inwood library has been renovated, and now New York City has established one hundred and seventy-five affordable housing apartments named The Eliza on top of the library building. This new development is promoting community engagement through onsite activities, an activities and culture training center, and a universal pre-kindergarten facility operated by the NYCDOE.

The Inwood Library in 1952
Renovation Plan of the Inwood Library
View Gallery

Details

Category
Library
Audience
All Ages
Founder(s)
The Dyckman Family and the New York Public Library
Corporate Body
New York Public Library
Tags
Construction, Cultural Education, Play, Public, Recreation

Location

  • Broadway/w 204 St, New York, NY 10034, USA
    ? - ?
  • Broadway/w 187 St, New York, NY, USA
    c. 1861 - ?
  • 4790 US-9, New York, NY 10034, USA
    ? - ?

Archival Collections

References

  1. “Inwood Library.” The New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/about/locations/inwood
  2. New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. “Inwood Library.” https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/about/projects-detail.page?project=Inwood%20Library&borough=Manhattan
  3. ​​Thompson, Cole. “Eliza Hamilton’s Legacy: An Uptown Library.” My Inwood. February 9, 2017. ​​https://myinwood.net/eliza-hamiltons-legacy-an-uptown-library/
  4. Bolton, Reginald Pelham. Washington Heights, Manhattan: Its Eventful Past. New York: Dyckman Institute, 1924.