Bishopsgate Institute history

The Bishopsgate Institute building was the first of 3 designed by the architect Charles Harrison Townsend. Townsend’s Victorian design reflected elements of the Arts and Crafts movement that reacted against the poverty of decorative arts and influenced the Modern British Art Nouveau style, which Townsend also incorporated into the institute’s facade.

The institute was built using funds that had been donated by the parish of St Boltolph-without-Bishopsgate over a period of 500 years. The funds were drawn together by the Reverend William Rogers, a notable educational reformer and supporter of free libraries and education. Rogers ensured the institute met its original aims: providing a public library, hall and meeting rooms for locals to engage with literature, science and the arts.

The Bishopsgate Institute opened on New Year’s Day in 1895. Between 1897 and 1941, Charles Goss was Bishopgate’s chief librarian. Goss began collecting working-class histories at a time when ‘history from below’ was not considered within mainstream academia.

Bishopsgate Institute today

A free and independent library open every weekday, the Bishopsgate Library exists for public exploration both in person and online. Underneath the library is the Special Collections and Archives that are home to an important historical collection documenting the histories of the labour movement, free thought and protest and campaigning.

The library is also home to the Great Diary Project which has collected over 9,000 unpublished diaries as well as the Lesbian and Gay News media Archive, which holds 350,000 press cuttings alongside 500,000 images, banners, badges, flyers and a growing oral-history collection.

Currently, a particular highlight is the Chris and Betty Birch Archive that documents the couple’s activism, including forming the Mark Ashton Memorial Trust to support those living with HIV. The archive includes personal items and press cuttings as well as the police truncheon Mark Ashton took from an officer.

Getting to Bishopsgate Institute

In the heart of London, Bishopsgate Institute is across the road from Liverpool Street Station which links to many major UK stations. Liverpool Street tube station serves the Central, Circle, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines. Along the A10 Bishopsgate road, you can get TFL buses 8, 11, 26, 42, 78, 135, 205, N8, N11 and N26.

History of the Chester Beatty Library

Alfred Chester Beatty – the ‘King of Copper’ – was an American businessman (specifically, a mining magnate) and philanthropist. He used his great wealth to collect manuscripts, prints and rare books from across the world. He was made an honorary Irish citizen in 1957 but prior to this, he created the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin in 1950 and opened it to the public in 1954.

On his death in 1968, Chester Beatty bequeathed his collections to the Irish people (entrusted to the care of the Irish state). In 2000, the museum opened in its present location, in the grounds of Dublin Castle, and was named European Museum of the Year in 2002.

The Chester Beatty Library today

The Chester Beatty is a remarkable museum, and there’s huge quantities of history and culture to absorb from across the world. Come prepared to learn, and having a phone / access to the internet can be useful in case you want to look up specific words or topics to understand them properly.

The material is divided between Western, Islamic and East Asian collections, and then subdivided again. There are frequently temporary exhibitions on, often highlighting world religions, specific artists or cultural phenomena or regional exposes. The library has quite a dark interior for conservation purposes, but the entrance hall and cafe is light and airy if it gets a bit much. Be sure to check out the excellent gift shop and café too.

Free guided tours run three times a week, normally on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays – check the website for precise timings. The library is closed on Mondays during the winter months.

Getting to the Chester Beatty Library

The Chester Beatty is located in the grounds of Dublin Castle, just behind the castle itself. It’s easily accessed from Dame Street or Bride Street. Buses stop frequently along Dame Street, Bride Street and Aungier Street. The nearest Luas stops are Trinity / Westmoreland (Green Line) or Jervis (Red Line) – they’re all a 10 minute walk away.

History of Ephesus

Thought to have been founded in the 10th century BC by an Athenian prince named Androklos, Ephesus grew into a thriving city until 650 BC, when it was attacked and damaged by the Cimmerians. However, the settlement was reconstituted, and soon the city began to thrive once more, eventually being conquered by the vast Persian Empire of Cyrus the Great.

The city was involved in the Greco-Persian wars but then fell back under Persian rule until its liberation by Alexander the Great. Fought over continuously by Alexander’s successors and their descendents, Ephesus, like so much of the region, was eventually absorbed into the Roman Republic in the late 2nd century BC.

Ephesus Today

Today, Ephesus is indeed a treasure trove for enthusiasts of Ancient Roman and Greek history, allowing them to walk through its streets and view its magnificent houses, community buildings, temples and stadiums.

Ephesus was once famous for its Temple of Artemis, built in around 650 BC. Sadly, this was destroyed and is now represented by just a solitary column.

Some of the most impressive sites at Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, the ruins of which stand two storeys high, the Temple of Hadrian which was built in 118 AD, the classical theatre where it is believed Saint Paul preached to the Pagans, and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, so called because legend has it that the Romans locked seven Christian boys there in 250 AD who then only re-awoke in the 5th century.

The cross shaped Basilica of Saint John is also nearby, as is the 14th century Isabey Mosque, which is an impressive structure built from the remains of Ephesus.

A trip to Ephesus usually takes at least half a day – some tours include other local sites such as Priene and Miletus – but history enthusiasts will probably want to enjoy this site for a whole day. There is an Ephesus Museum which displays artefacts found in the old city.

Getting to Ephesus

From the centre of Selcuk, Ephesus is a 6 minute walk via 1045. Sk., and a 2 minute drive via Atatürk Cd./D550. From Istanbul, the site is a 5 and a half hour drive via the O-5 road.

Hadrian’s Library history

Hadrian was a great admirer of Greek culture and constructed a number of significant buildings in Athens, including this grand library. In its heyday, it would have housed over 17,000 books, scrolls, documents and papyri.

The principal facade with the entrance from the side of what is now known as  Monastiraki Square from Areos Street, formed a portico of 12 metres wide with four Corinthian columns in projection on the two lateral sides. Each side was adorned with seven monolithic columns in smooth shaft with marble from Karystos and Corinthian capitals of white marble from Mt. Penteli.

Destroyed by the Herulae in 267 AD it was later repaired before being damaged again during the later barbarian invasions. During the Byzantine era a series of churches were built on the site and further renovation was carried out in the Ottoman period. After suffering this continual series of damage, reconstruction and alteration, the site was excavated, studied and opened to the public in 2004.

Hadrian’s Library today

The most impressive of the ruins are the great Corinthian columns on the well-preserved outer wall, and the impressive portico which served as the entrance to the courtyard.

Although Hadrian’s Library is not very well preserved, you can easily get an idea of how grandiose the building was when it was built.

The Ancient Athens combined ticket which is for the Acropolis and its landmarks, also includes the Library of Hadrian.

Getting to Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian’s Library is situated to the north of the Athenian Acropolis. The entrance is on the southern side of Monastiraki Square. The nearest metro stop is Monastiraki.

John Rylands Library history

The John Rylands Library was first commissioned in 1890 by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband who had died 2 years earlier in 1888. John Rylands was a Victorian industrialist and philanthropist who – through owning the largest textile manufacturer in the country – has often been cited as Manchester’s first multi-millionaire, and left his vast fortune to his widow.

After purchasing the land for the Library in 1889, Enriqueta spent the next few years amassing a large and impressive collection of works to fill it with. Chief of these was the purchase of a vast 40,000 books from George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer in 1892, which had previously been housed at his ancestral home of Althorp House.

This formed the basis of the collection, followed by another large purchase of manuscripts from James Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford in 1901 known as the Bibliotheca Lindesiana. This was one of the most impressive private collections of its day, both in terms of its size and the rarity of its contents.

The Library was inaugurated on 6 October 1899 – the Rylands’ wedding anniversary – and officially opened to visitors on 1 January 1900. Since then, its collection has grown to over 250,000 printed works and over 1 million manuscripts and archival items.

John Rylands Library today

Today the John Rylands Library is open to the public for both academics and tourists to explore. It houses one of the finest collections of books, manuscripts, maps, works of art, and objects in the world, with striking architectural features to match.

The magnificent Historic Reading Room resembles a Gothic church, complete with ornate archways and a large stained glass window, while the Historic Entrance Hall is also a wonderful example of Victorian design.

Downstairs from the Entrance Hall may be found the original Victorian toilets dating back to 1900, that are still in use and remain as they did at the time!

Getting to John Rylands Library

The John Rylands Library is located on Deansgate in the centre of Manchester, which can be accessed via the M60 outer ring road following signs into the city. Several car parks are available nearby, with the nearest NCP car parks on Watson Street, New Quay Street, and Blackfriars Street, all within walking distance.

A number of train stations are also within walking distance to the Library, with Salford Central a 7-minute walk, Victoria and Deansgate a 10-minute walk, and Piccadilly a 20-minute walk away. The number 1 free bus service runs from Piccadilly to John Dalton Street, around the corner from the Library, while the number 2 free bus runs from Victoria to Deansgate, stopping directly opposite. The nearest tram stop is St Peter’s Square, a 7-minute walk away.

Housed across three buildings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (the Thomas Jefferson Building, the James Madison Memorial Building and the John Adams Building) as well as the Packard Campus in Culpepper, Virginia, the Library also serves as a museum, with numerous exhibits inside the Thomas Jefferson Building.

History of the Library of Congress

A bill signed by President John Adams transferring the seat of government from Philadelphia to the new capital of Washington mentioned the creation of a reference library for use by Congress, with a fund of $5,000 for books. This became The Library of Congress – America’s oldest federal cultural institution – founded on 24 April 1800.

On 24 August 1814, British troops burned the Capitol building (housing the original Library), destroying the Library’s core 3,000 volume collection. Retired President Thomas Jefferson, who had amassed a vast collection of books over his lifetime, offered his personal collection as a replacement. Congress paid $23,950 for the 6,487 books, forming the foundation of the Library today.

Although the Library enabled the public to access popular literature, its primary purpose was to serve Congress. This changed after the Civil War when America’s economy expanded and the federal government and city of Washington grew rapidly. Taking advantage of America’s emerging cultural nationalism, Ainsworth Spofford (Librarian of Congress 1864-1897) persuaded Congress to view its Library as a national institution, creating a single, comprehensive collection of American publications for use by both Congress and the public.

Since then, the Library has undergone expansions and modernisations, and today serves as a symbol of intellectual pursuit, preserving and granting access to a wealth of information and cultural heritage for researchers, scholars, and the public.

Library of Congress today

The Library of Congress is now the largest library in the world, housing a staggering 164 million items. Its vast collection includes 37 million books, along with photographs, recordings, maps, sheet music and manuscripts. The Library receives approximately 15,000 items daily and adds more than 10,000 items to its collections, representing 470 different languages.

Among its most precious items are the first known book printed in North America, The Bay Psalm Book (1640) and the 1507 world map by Martin Waldseemüller, known as America’s Birth Certificate, the first document on which the name America appears.

In particular, the Thomas Jefferson Building has plenty to offer visitors. Aside from its stunning Gilded Age architecture, it hosts free walking tours that showcase its murals, statues, mosaics and domed ceiling. The building contains a recreation of Thomas Jefferson’s Library and also hosts numerous ad-hoc and ongoing exhibitions including the Gershwins, Native American culture, the Swann Gallery’s political cartoons and caricatures, and the Herblock Gallery’s view of political cartoonist Herbert L. Block’s work. Many other events and festivals take place each year.

Getting to the Library of Congress

All the Library of Congress’ buildings are free to enter. Whilst the James Madison Memorial Building and the John Adams Building are primarily used for research, the Thomas Jefferson Building and its exhibitions are usually open from Monday-Saturday, 8:30am-5pm except for public holidays. The closest Metro stop is Capitol South station on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Once outside the main exit, walk two blocks north on First Street SE.

History of Museo Regional de Oaxaca

Today, the museum is housed in the church of Santo Domingo: building was begun in 1576, and not fully complete until the 18th century. Santo Domingo has a varied history, having being used as barracks in the late 19th century, before being restored to religious use, and later being converted for use by the university, and later, in the 1970s, the Museo Regional de Oaxaca moved in to the cloisters. A massive refurbishment project was completed subsequently.

Today, it is this Oaxaca’s main museum, chronicling the history of the identically named state and city. The ethnobotanical garden is also an excellent chronicle of native plants, and remains a popular place to visit.

Museo Regional de Oaxaca today

The main draw at Museo Regional de Oaxaca is its collection of finds from Monte Alban, a nearby archaeological area and one of Mexico’s most impressive pre-Columbian historic sites. The highlights are mainly the treasures from a 14th century Mixtec royal tomb (Tomb 7) which were re-discovered in 1932.

Aside from this, the museum also charts the rich history and cultures of the whole state of Oaxaca, from pre-Hispanic societies such as the Zapotecs and Mixtecs right up until the present day as well as the history of resistance to colonisation and conquest.

The whole complex of Santo Domingo is also not to be missed: full of Renaissance architectural features and ornate interior decorations, as well as a 30,000 strong library.

Much of the museum’s text is in Spanish: English audio guides are available for a small extra fee.

Be sure to check out the ornately decorated interior of the church, which is covered in over 60,000 sheets of 23.5 carat gold.

Getting to Museo Regional de Oaxaca

The museum is in the heart of Oaxaca city, and is most easily accessed by foot. The centre of the city is relatively compact, and the museum is within a 10 minute walk of almost all other sites in the city.

New York Public Library history 

In 1895, plans to build the enormous Main Branch of the New York Public Library were agreed upon. The resources of the existing Astor and Lenox libraries were combined, with added funds from the Tilden Trust, whose benefactor Samuel J. Tilden had bequeathed $4 million in his will for the establishment of a free public library in the city. 

When construction began in 1902, it was the largest marble structure ever attempted in the United States. Plans for its main reading room included 7 floors of stacks, and the fastest book retrieval system in the world. By 1906 the grand exterior was completed, following which a total of 75 miles of shelves were fitted inside to house its initial collection of 1 million books, and the library was opened on 24 May, 1911.

The library’s iconic marble lions sit outside the library, reportedly so that patrons could ‘read between the lions’. In the 1930s Mayor Fiorello La Guardia named them ‘Fortitude’ and ‘Patience’, two attributes he believed New Yorkers would need to get them through the gruelling Great Depression. 

The Library today 

Today the New York Public Library Main Branch is home to 2.5 million volumes in its stacks, and is still the flagship of the entire institution that now stretches to a total of 92 locations. A number of its stunning rooms may be visited, including the Rose Main Reading Room, now a designated landmark which features vast columns and archways, chandeliers that hang from its ornately carved ceiling, and of course, stacks and stacks of books. 

Elsewhere murals, busts and balconies adorn the library, so whether your visit be to explore its collection of fascinating works, or simply marvel at its design, it is a key stop on any trip to New York City. Behind the library also sits Bryant Park, providing a picturesque walk against the building’s imposing exterior.

Getting the New York Public Library

The New York Public Library Main Branch building, officially named the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building, is located on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. 

The closest subway station is 5th Av, a 3-minute walk away, while Grand Central Terminal is an 8-minute walk away. The nearest bus stops are 5 Av/W 41 St and 5 Av/W 42 St, both directly outside the entrance.