The Portico Library, Subscription library in Manchester, England
The Portico Library occupies a rectangular sandstone building at 57 Mosley Street, featuring a three-bay pedimented loggia supported by four Ionic columns.
Founded by 400 Manchester businessmen in 1806, the library emerged during the Industrial Revolution as a venue combining the functions of a newsroom and literature collection.
The library maintains a collection of 25,000 books spanning 450 years of literature, with particular emphasis on travel writings about East Asia and regional folklore.
Located on the first floor with its entrance on Charlotte Street, the library provides free public access five days per week to its exhibitions and archives.
Peter Mark Roget, the first secretary of the library, developed his renowned thesaurus while working within these Greek Revival style walls.
Location: Manchester
Inception: 1806
Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture
Website: https://theportico.org.uk
GPS coordinates: 53.47970,-2.24028
Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:52
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