Yonkers is considering whether to designate the Crestwood Library at 16 Thompson St., as a landmark. Construction was completed in 1926. An application has been filed with the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board, referred to the city’s Planning Board and if recommended would be considered by the City Council.
The Crestwood Library building is described as a strong example of early 20th-Century Tudor Revival architecture. It features steeply pitched gables, half-timbered detailing, and textured masonry walls that are said to be characteristic of the Tudor Revival style as it was often adapted for small civic buildings.
The building has a grey slate roof along with a prominent brick chimney rising from a stuccoed base. The central entry bay is framed in carved, beige-colored limestone, featuring an arched surround with ornamental relief panels and a carved inscription “Crestwood Library” set within the gable face. Stonework appears original and secondary facades are finished in smooth stucco, painted a warm cream tone to match the stone. The use of stucco, in combination with brick accents at window sills and surrounds, is typical of Tudor Revival buildings. The doors appear to be original or early replacements consistent with the historic character.
Disrupting the original appearance of the building are several window-mounted air conditioning units that have been installed.
According to Architect Emily Brewer, a member of the Landmarks Preservation Board, “Overall, the building is a well-preserved example of Tudor Revival civic architecture. Alterations primarily reflect modern mechanical, accessibility, and operational updates rather than major stylistic changes. Despite these modifications, the building retains strong architectural integrity, with its massing, materials, and decorative program clearly expressing its Tudor Revival origins.”
According to a history of the Crestwood Library, after World War I Mrs. Horace Healey convened 50 women to organize the Crestwood Women’s Club with one of its purposes being the establishment of a library. The Women’s Club formed a six-member Library Committee to pursue the chartering of a “free library” that would be open to the entire community. That led to formation of a Library Association that tried to secure a state charter for its library.
The State Education Department encouraged the Library Association to seek services solely through the City of Yonkers. On July 8, 1921, the Library Association opened a library in a room at Public School 15 with a collection of 800 books, operating three hours a day, two days a week. By September, the collection had grown to 1,100 books. The State Board of Regents on Sept. 9, 1921, granted a provisional charter to the Crestwood Free Library, later followed by the issuance of a Certificate of Registration allowing it to continue operations. In Jan. 1922, a Building Committee was established to construct a permanent home for the Free Library.
On May 22, 1924, the Library Association acquired a site at Thompson Street and Chittenden Avenue at a cost of $1,200. On Dec. 10, 1924, the Library Association deeded the property to the city with the proviso that title would revert to the Association if the city failed to construct and operate a library within one year. That time period was extended for an additional year. On Dec. 12, 1925, the city awarded the construction contract and appropriated $20,000 toward construction. Groundbreaking occurred on Dec. 12, 1925 and the library was completed on Oct. 16, 1926.
Plans for building new library were drafted free of charge by Yonkers architect Otto J. (O.J.) Gette. He was the architect who designed other significant buildings and projects in the city that included the buildings and swimming pool for Tibbetts Brook Park, and the landscaping of Mulford Gardens.
Over the years, increased book circulation coupled with programming demands necessitated the conversion of the basement into a children’s room in Jan. 1961. Six years later the main and basement levels were expanded to provide office space and additional room for the juvenile department.
The 1980s saw repeated efforts to close or curtail operations at branch libraries in Yonkers and in 1981, 1983, 1986, and 1988, the city proposed closing the Crestwood branch but it remained open. In 1991, a 60% cut in service relegated the Crestwood Library to eight hours of operation two days a week. On Sept. 28, 1996, for the first time in 20 years, full-time service, six days a week, was restored and today the Crestwood Library is open seven days a week.
