[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RICHMOND BRANCH OF THE FREE 
                        LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA

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                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
the Richmond Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia on its 
momentous 100th Anniversary. The Richmond Branch is located in the Port 
Richmond section of Northeast Philadelphia which was once home to the 
busiest port along the Atlantic seaboard.
  While the Richmond Library officially opened on March 15, 1910, the 
library's inception dates back to 1897 when a ``Traveling Library'' 
that was open two nights each week was established in a flour and feed 
store located in the heart of the Port Richmond neighborhood. In that 
same year a group of Protestant ministers rallied the community to 
establish a neighborhood library which featured expanded hours. The 
library was moved to the Mutual Hall Association at Richmond Street and 
Neff Street, which is now Indiana Avenue. This neighborhood library was 
named the Port Richmond Branch and housed 3000 books.
  In 1908, the cornerstone of the current branch was laid through the 
generosity of both Andrew Carnegie, who endowed the Free Library of 
Philadelphia with a financial gift to construct library buildings, and 
Anne W. Penfield, who was considered the wealthiest woman in America at 
the time, who donated the land at 2987 Almond Street for the library. 
The building was renovated in 1994 as part of the city's ``Changing 
Lives'' campaign, which brought Internet service to this library as 
well as other libraries across Philadelphia.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 
Richmond Library's 100th anniversary milestone and wish the friends, 
staff, and patrons many more years of community enrichment and service.

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