Thomas Crane Public Library
Introduction
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The Thomas Crane Public Library was built in 1882. This historic library was established by the Crane family in memory of patriarch Thomas Crane, a wealthy New York dealer in Quincy Granite. The library is notable both for its collection and its architecture.
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Backstory and Context
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The Thomas Crane Public Library was designed in four stages. The original building was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and the additional ell with stack space and stained glass were added to the building in 1908, by William Martin Aiken. H.H. Richardson was prominent American architect. Richardsonian Romanesque style of Romanesque Revival architecture was named after him.
In 1939 the library was significantly expanded by architects Paul A. and Carroll Coletti, with stone carvings by sculptor Joseph A. Coletti of Quincy. The most recent extension from the 2001 by the Boston architects Childs, Bertman, and Tseckares, doubled the library’s size.
The museum today has three branches, Adams Shore Library, North Quincy Branch and Wollaston Branch Library.