|
CRESTWOOD LIBRARY MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
OCT 16, 2026
Oct 17, 2026 Contact
For Immediate Release Ann Rakoff 914-548-6707
Links to Archival Photos at End
CRESTWOOD LIBRARY MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
OCT 16, 2026
The Crestwood Library marked its 100th Anniversary on Oct 16, 2026, a century after it was dedicated in 1926. The library is known for inspiring stories and community. Building on its rich history, the library looks forward to another century of continuing to build literacy programs and activities to create a lifelong partnership with all patrons.
Library news archives hold the description of the Oct 16, 1926 dedication. “After five years’ endeavor, Crestwood Public Library was opened Saturday afternoon with ceremonies befitting the earnest work that had been bestowed on its establishment. Mayor Walsh and other city officials attended. Several hundred persons saw the handsome new Institution formally turned over to the municipality by the women who for half a decade had toiled to finance it,” was reported by The Yonkers Statesman, a predecessor to today’s Journal News.
Local Concert Held to Highlight Upcoming Anniversary Date
Friends of Crestwood Library has held events to celebrate Crestwood Library building's centennial beginning in 2025, will continue through 2026 and conclude Oct 16, 2027. The highlight event was a Centennial Gala Concert at Asbury Methodist Church on Sun, Sep 27, 2026.
The gala concert was co-presented by the Crestwood Library, Friends of the Crestwood Library and Asbury’s free community concert series, Music at Asbury. The focus of the concert featured artists with strong ties to Crestwood/Tuckahoe/Yonkers, plus poetry and reflections on literature, libraries and community.
Women Founders of Crestwood Library
The library beginnings in 1921 are tied to a group of women now known as its Founding Mothers. The Woman’s Club of Crestwood was founded by Mrs. Belle (Horace G.) Healey on Jan 25, 1921. Almost immediately, the club set the goal of providing the Crestwood section of the City of Yonkers with a free community library. Mrs. Myron J. Willson was appointed the chairwoman of the club’s library committee on Feb 8, 1921. Then on Mar 1, 1921 a new Library Association was formed during the club meeting.
The association was incorporated in Sep 1921, and Mrs. Willson’s library committee was dissolved—and was promptly reconstituted as the Board of Trustees of the nascent Crestwood free library. Appointed chairwoman of the board, Mrs. Willson served in that capacity for five years, until Crestwood’s community-operated library was incorporated into the Yonkers Public Library system.
Early Library Homes
Before the library building was constructed, the association operated the library with a provisional five-year charter from the State of New York, in, successively, the former Public School 15 building and, when classroom space was needed, in the Asbury Methodist Church.
Construction
The association raised $6,000 in the early 1920s for a building. In May 1924, the association purchased for $1,200 three parcels at the intersection of Chittenden Avenue and Thompson Street—where today’s library is located. The property was deeded to Yonkers and the association’s remaining funds went to help support construction costs. Yonkers appropriated $20,000 in Nov 1925 for the project.
Architect O.J. Gette, a Yonkers resident, drew up the plans for the building gratis. The construction contract was awarded to the firm of Charles A. Wales with a groundbreaking in Dec 1925.
The library news archives show that Yonkers Mayor Ulrich Wiesendanger, as reported in the Yonkers Statesman, “took up the small gilded spade that C. A. Wales, the contractor, had provided, and with his right foot pressed it into the ground. He lifted high the spade full of dirt and the crowd applauded enthusiastically.”
Community Members Are Active Supporters
The Crestwood Library was conceived of and founded by a vibrant and determined group of women, from the Women’s Club of Crestwood in the 1920s. Three decades later an equally resolute coterie of neighbors established a Friends’ organization, Friends of Crestwood Library, to carry on the work of the initial founders. Friends are still active today and you can see how to support their efforts on their website.
Renovation Underway & Library Programming
The library is temporarily closed as it receives renovation work. This is the most significant capital investment in the building in several decades. The library is expected to reopen in late fall. Programming and library services for Crestwood Library patrons are available at the other Yonkers Library (YPL) branches and any branch in the Westchester Library System. See here on the YPL for reopening, programming and library services information.
There is a rich variety of programming for all ages including story time sessions for toddlers, VolunTEEN service opportunities, senior chats and wellness demonstrations, book clubs covering different interests, live author talks, concerts and dance performances, sustainability programs, online fitness courses, creative and fiber arts, and research support from its talented staff.
###
Archival Photos:
Mrs. Helen Thompson Lyon at the circulation desk at the newly constructed Crestwood Library, 1926. She was the first librarian at the 16 Thompson Avenue location.
https://yplarchive.omeka.net/items/show/3096
Early Exterior Crestwood Library https://yplarchive.omeka.net/items/show/3117
Downstairs Crestwood Library https://yplarchive.omeka.net/items/show/3098
Note: The downstairs lounge created for the purpose of hosting meetings of The Women's Club of Crestwood, founders of Crestwood Public Library. Room has been renovated over the years and now serves as Children’s Room.
| 
