Celebrate South Boston Branch’s 150th birthday with family-friendly music, bubbles, snacks, crafts, and memories in the library courtyard on Saturday at 11am. Register here for a spot!
Some of our fondest memories include Story Hour with Ms. Fleming, children’s librarian, including Going on a Bear Hunt, Snowy the Owl and her rendition of the telling of the book Tikki Tikki Tembo.
History of the South Boston Branch
- The South Boston Branch first opened in April 1872 in the Masonic building at 372 West Broadway, the second branch library established in the United States.
- In 1948, the branch closed when the Masonic building was sold and was reopened in June 1950 in a storefront at 385-8 West Broadway until it was destroyed by fire in May 1957.
- The present location opened on October 31, 1957, consolidating the City Point Branch and the South Boston Branch.
The branch on East Broadway was designed by the architectural firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott.
Special Features of the Southie Library
- Many World languages, including a unique collection of adult and children’s books in Irish
- A set of historical Boston maps on select tables and on the floor of the branch
- Walled courtyard with a garden space
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
I remember the GEORGE WASHINGTON BRANCH OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY at the end of Preble Street, across the intersection, on its own little island near Columbus Park. My sister and i spent many rainy summer days there in the 1950s. This was must have been far from our neighborhood.
I remember the GEORGE WASHINGTON BRANCH OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY at the end of Preble Street, across the intersection, on its own little island near Columbus Park. My sister and i spent many rainy summer days there in the 1950s. We lived on Vinton Street This other branch must have been far from our neighborhood. I would love to see the history of our branch in Southie.
I remember when the now court house was the library