Free Library of Philadelphia, Germantown Branch, 5818 Germantown Avenue (in Vernon Park), Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Significance: Germantown 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.

Germantown was the fifth Carnegie branch library opened by the Free Library of Philadelphia. Plans for the structure were approved by the Free Library Board of Trustees Carnegie Fund Committee on September 29, 1905 and the branch opened to the public on June 24, 1907. The Germantown Branch was designed by the well-known Philadelphia architectural firm of Frank Miles Day and Brother. Day used Georgian Revival motifs including the gray random ashlar stone characteristic of local building traditions. It was located in Vernon Park close to the historic Wister Mansion. The Germantown Branch library was closed in 1978 and its services shifted to the new Northwest Regional Library. The building has been used as a senior citizens center by the non-profit Center in the Park since 1986.

Survey number: HABS PA-6752