Dr. Shepherd's Library entrance, Cross Street, Preston

Dr. Shepherd's Library entrance, Cross Street, Preston
Dr. Shepherd's Library entrance, Cross Street, Preston
Dr. Shepherd's Library entrance, Cross Street, Preston
214789
30118073932554
Dr. Shepherd's Library entrance, Cross Street, Preston
Preston
The steps to Dr. Shepherd's Library, prior to use as part of Preston Grammar School.
In Preston, the idea of creating a free public library and museum had been championed since the 1850s when members of the community began holding fund-raising events. However, it was not until 1877 that a bequest by the Preston lawyer, Edmund Robert Harris made the idea of a free library, museum and art gallery a reality.

Edmund Robert Harris left £300,000 to Preston Corporation in memory of his father, the Reverend Robert Harris, who had been vicar of St George's Church for 64 years. Some of the money was intended to be used to create a new library, museum and art gallery. A Free Public Library Committee was formed and in 1878 Preston Town Council adopted the Public Libraries Act of 1850 and purchased the library and collections of the Literary and Philosophical Institution in Cross Street which had been formed in 1810. In January 1879 Preston's first public lending library opened in the basement in the Town Hall while a public museum and reference library containing the Dr Shepherd Collection was established in Cross Street. The Harris Library and Museum which replaced these was built and finally opened in 1893.
Photographic print
Monochrome
8.5/14.4 cm
1914
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Preston Scientific Society v8p14
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