When you gaze at the castle-like exterior, it’s hard to imagine that this 1870s Romanesque courthouse-turned-library branch could be any lovelier on the inside.
It is. Head up the grand spiral staircase and into the main reading room. The whole way, you’ll be struck by enormous stained glass windows as beautiful as those in any church.
Designed by Charles Booth (who also created stained glass at Grace Church on Broadway and 10th Street), they mostly feature geometric patterns.
Then there are these Pre-Raphaelite beauties, forever illuminating that breathtaking staircase.
Tags: Greenwich Village beauty, Jefferson Market Courthouse, Jefferson market library, Pre-Raphaelites in New York, PreRapaelite art in New York City, Stained Glass Charles Booth, Stained Glass in New York City, stained glass windows Jefferson Market Library
December 14, 2012 at 10:29 am |
I used to sit there for hours reading, looking about and peering out the windows but that little walk up the circular stairway was a treat in itself. The windows sure were nice but the stairs were tricky, skipped a step many times in going up or down, they narrowed or widened with every step you took. You had to watch it or gazing up at the windows would cause you to tumble.
December 14, 2012 at 7:01 pm |
It really is an incredible place to read, quiet and beautiful and imaginative . . . beats every coffeeshop!
December 15, 2012 at 2:11 am |
What a wonderful blog! A friend sent me your link. Glad to have found you. I used to live in NYC and have always loved it.
December 15, 2012 at 7:47 pm |
Thanks! I love browsing book blogs too.