Old Library, Historical library at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, United States
The Old Library at Bryn Mawr College is a brick building designed in Gothic Revival style with tall windows, carved woodwork, and painted ceilings. Inside are several reading rooms with original furniture, bookshelves, and lighting from the building's opening year.
The building was constructed in 1896 as the college expanded its collection of books and manuscripts. Leadership under President M. Carey Thomas shaped its development as a center for women's education.
The building shows how an educational space for women was created and shaped over time - a place where female students learned and worked. The rooms tell this story through their furnishings and design.
To visit the special collections and manuscripts, you need to arrange an appointment in advance with the college. The best time to visit is during the academic year when regular hours are in effect.
Many visitors don't realize that the original study carrels and reading tables are still in use and look much as they did over 100 years ago. The wooden furniture and individual nooks show how students actually studied back then.
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