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Huguenot Children's Library |
The Huguenot Children's Library
began with a dream: To save the abandoned brick building at 794 North
Avenue and create a special
place for children and families in the heart
of New Rochelle.
Today, it's a dream come true.
Today the Huguenot Children's Library is Westchester's first and only
freestanding children's library, with books, computers and activities
just
for kids. Outside, the library grounds include seating for parents
adjacent to a new, state-of-the art playground.
What makes the Huguenot Children's Library really special, though, is
the way it came into being: It is the end result of an
unprecedented community effort spearheaded by a non-profit group, the
Partnership for the
Huguenot Children's Library.
Once Upon A Time...The Huguenot Children's Library is housed in a
brick structure that was built in 1869 - the first brick house in New
Rochelle.
In 1922 the house was given to the City to serve as a branch of the New
Rochelle Public Library. Seventy years later a budget crisis forced the
branch to close; the adjacent park was allowed to deteriorate and within
months vandals had nearly destroyed the historic building.
In 1993 a group of concerned citizens, mostly parents of young children,
came together to save the building and the adjacent park. In just four
years the Partnership for the Huguenot Children's Library raised over
$300,000 in cash and an equal amount in donated goods and services; using
mostly volunteer labor, the PHCL was able to completely rebuild
the
playground and renovate the rundown building.
Today the library is a branch of the New Rochelle Library system, but
the Partnership maintains an active role in funding all the programs and
special projects available to New Rochelle children and parents throughout
the year. The Partnership also assumes responsibility for
major capitol renovations and upkeep of the building.
The Partnership represents grassroots involvement at its productive
best, as each year its members continue their fundraising activities to
assure that our our youngest citizens can have a very special destination
all of their own.
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