| Henry
Rosenberg (1824-1893), benefactor and namesake
of Rosenberg Library, emigrated in 1843 from Switzerland to
Galveston where he made his fortune in banking, real estate, and
transportation. Upon his death in 1893, Rosenberg bequeathed a
sizable port of his estate to build a public library: |
 |
|
"... I desire to
express in a practical form my affection for the city of my
adoption and for the people among whom I have lived for so
many years, trusting that it will aid their intellectual and
moral development, and be a source of pleasure and profit to
them and their children, and their children's children, through
many generations." - Henry Rosenberg |
History of the
Library
The Rosenberg Library represents over a century long tradition
of community service. The Library traces its lineage to the
opening in 1871 of the Galveston Merchantile Library, the first
public library in Texas. Organized through a resolution by the
Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Merchantile Library to the
City of Galveston, which placed it under public management. The
Galveston Free Library, later known as the Galveston Public
Library, was discontinued in 1905, when the city transferred its
collection to the newly opened Rosenberg Library.
 In
1901, the Rosenberg Library's Board of Director's held a
national competition to select the designer of its building.
They selected the architectural firm of Eames & Young of St.
Louis. A Masonic service was held in October 1902 for the laying
of the cornerstone. Constructed of brick, stone, and terra
cotta, the three-story, Italian-renaissance style structure
included high ceilings well suited to the Gulf Coast's climate.
The building was completed at a cost of $155,000, and dedicated
on June 22, 1904 - Henry Rosenberg's birthday. At the opening,
the building held 7,505 volumes.
Completed in 1971, The Moody Memorial Wing more than doubled the
Rosenberg Library's floor space. In February 1968, the Moody
Foundation of Galveston informed the Rosenberg Library
Association of its intention to grant $500,000 for the
construction of a new wing for the
Library. Significant donors included the Harris and Eliza
Kempner Fund of Galveston and Mr. and Mrs. John W. Harris.
Architect Thomas M. Price of Galveston designed the Moody
Memorial Wing, which was built of travertine marble and
constructed to blend with the original wing. The addition
increased the Rosenberg Library's floor space by an additional
33,000 square feet and provided space for a children's reading
area, the Archives and Research Division (now known as the
Galveston and Texas History Center), and the Lykes Maritime
Gallery.
Museum
The Museum Department maintains and exhibits artifacts that
document the history of Galveston and the Republic of Texas, as
well as the Library's fine art collection. Permanent and
alternating exhibits are displayed in the Lykes, Hutchings, and
Harris Galleries on the third floor, and throughout the
building.
 
Galveston and Texas History Center
The Galveston and Texas History Center provides assistance to
local historians, scholars, genealogists, and students. It
collects, preserves, and makes available to the public historic
records of Galveston and early Texas. The collection focuses on
Texas through the end of the Civil War, particularly the
Republic of Texas, 1836-1845, and Galveston, from its founding
in 1839 through the present. |
|
