The Fisher Fine Arts Library was the primary library of the University of Pennsylvania from 1891 to 1962. The red sandstone, brick-and-terra-cottaVenetian Gothic giant—part fortress and part cathedral—was designed by the acclaimed Philadelphia architect Frank Furness (1839–1912). The cornerstone was laid in October 1888, construction was completed in late 1890, and the building was dedicated in February 1891.[4]
Following completion of the Van Pelt Library in 1962, it was renamed the Furness Building (after its architect), and housed the university's art and architecture collections. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.[5]
The Furness Building was renamed the Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library following a 6-year, $16.5-million restoration, completed in 1991.[6] It is located on the east side of College Green, at Locust Walk and 34th Street.
The glass-roofed book stacks (right) were designed to be continuously expanded.
Main floor plan (1891).
The library's plan is exceptionally innovative: circulation to the building's five stories is through the tower's staircase, separated from the reading rooms and stacks.
The Main Reading Room is a soaring four-story brick-and-terra-cotta-enclosed space, divided by an arcade from the two-story Rotunda Reading Room. The latter has a basilica plan – with seminar rooms grouped around an apse (like side-chapels) – the entire space lighted by clerestory windows. Above the Rotunda Reading Room is a two-story lecture hall, now an architecture studio. The Main Reading Room, with its enormous skylight and wall of south-facing windows, acts as a lightwell, illuminating the surrounding inner rooms through leaded glass windows.
The three-story fireproof stacks are housed in a modular iron wing, with a glass roof and glass-block floors to help light the lower levels. It was designed to initially hold 100,000 books – but also to be continuously expandable, one bay at a time, with a movable south wall. Furness's perspective drawing highlighted this growth potential by showing nine-bay stacks,[7] although the initial three-bay stacks were never expanded.
Throughout the building are windows inscribed with quotations from Shakespeare, chosen by Horace Howard Furness (Frank's older brother), a University lecturer and a preeminent American Shakespearean scholar of the 19th century. The architect collaborated with Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal System, and others to make this the most modern American library building of its time.[8]
"The plans I sketched with Mr. Furness late that evening, seem to me better than any college library has yet adopted." — Melvil Dewey.[9]
The Henry Charles Lea Library, a two-story addition to the building's east side, was designed by Furness, Evans & Company and completed in 1905.[6]
Rejection
Within a generation, Frank Furness's exuberant masterwork was considered an embarrassment. The University Museum moved to its own building in 1899. In 1915, the Duhring Wing was built at the south end of the stacks, making their designed expansion impossible.[10] Architect Robert Rodes McGoodwin drew up plans to cloak the entire building in sedate Collegiate Gothic brick and stone.[11] The first step toward this was the 1931 addition of a reading room facing College Green (now the Arthur Ross Gallery) that masked the iron-and-glass stacks.[12] Almost perversely, McGoodwin's incongruous Collegiate Gothic addition was dedicated as a memorial to Horace Howard Furness.[13]
The building served as the main library of the University of Pennsylvania until the construction of Van Pelt Library in 1962. Today it houses collections related to architecture, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, historic preservation, history of art, and studio arts.
The restored building was featured prominently in the 1993 film Philadelphia.
In a 2009 appreciation in The Wall Street Journal, architectural historian Michael J. Lewis called it "a cheeky act of architectural impertinence" and "the last of its kind": "Today, the University of Pennsylvania building, now known as the Fisher Fine Arts Library, is widely acknowledged as one of the great creations of 19th-century American culture, and the principal work of its architect, Frank Furness (1839-1912)."[18]
Arthur Ross Gallery
Horace Howard Furness's collection of Shakespeare was moved to Van Pelt Library in the 1960s. The former Furness Reading Room was converted into the Arthur Ross Gallery, which houses the University's art collection. Opened in 1983,[19] the gallery is named for its benefactor, noted philanthropist Arthur Ross, who started his college studies at the University of Pennsylvania, but later transferred to Columbia University.[20] Admission to the public is free.
Gallery
Arthur Ross Gallery (1931), right, and Duhring Wing (1915), far right.
Gargoyles.
Lantern of the porch and the leaded glass fanlight.
^ abCarolyn Pitts (1984-08-10). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Furness Library, School of the Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying four photos from 1964(32 KB)
^Alfred Bendiner, Bendiner's Philadelphia (New York: A.S. Barnes & Company, 1964), pp. 40-41. Bendiner cartoon from Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania
^Restoration drawings 2009-01-07 at the Wayback Machine from Architectural Archives, University of Pennsylvania
^"Restoration of the Furness Building/Fisher Fine Arts Library, University of Pennsylvania" (PDF). Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
^Paul Goldberger, "In Philadelphia, a Victorian Extravaganza Lives," The New York Times, June 2, 1991.
^Lewis, Michael J. (November 14, 2009). . The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
^"History". Arthur Ross Gallery. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
^Martin, Douglas (2007-09-11). "Arthur Ross, Investor and Philanthropist Who Left Mark on the Park, Dies at 96". New York Times. Retrieved 2014-12-21.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fisher Fine Arts Library.
fisher, fine, arts, library, primary, library, university, pennsylvania, from, 1891, 1962, sandstone, brick, terra, cotta, venetian, gothic, giant, part, fortress, part, cathedral, designed, acclaimed, philadelphia, architect, frank, furness, 1839, 1912, corne. The Fisher Fine Arts Library was the primary library of the University of Pennsylvania from 1891 to 1962 The red sandstone brick and terra cotta Venetian Gothic giant part fortress and part cathedral was designed by the acclaimed Philadelphia architect Frank Furness 1839 1912 The cornerstone was laid in October 1888 construction was completed in late 1890 and the building was dedicated in February 1891 4 Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts LibraryFormer namesFurness Library Furness BuildingGeneral informationTypeLibraryArchitectural styleVenetian GothicLocationUniversity CityAddress220 South 34th StreetPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaNamed forAnne and Jerome FisherOpened1890 1890 Renovated1986 1991OwnerUniversity of PennsylvaniaTechnical detailsMaterialSandstone brick terracottaSize65 026 square feet 6 041 1 m2 Floor count8Design and constructionArchitect s Frank FurnessArchitecture firmFurness Evans amp CompanyRenovating teamRenovating firmVenturi Raunch Scott Brown and AssociatesFine Arts Library Furness Library University of PennsylvaniaU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic LandmarkU S Historic districtContributing propertyShow map of PhiladelphiaShow map of PennsylvaniaShow map of the United StatesLocationPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaCoordinates39 57 05 N 75 11 33 W 39 95139 N 75 19250 W 39 95139 75 19250 Coordinates 39 57 05 N 75 11 33 W 39 95139 N 75 19250 W 39 95139 75 19250Area116 000 square feet 10 800 m2 1 Built1888 91ArchitectFrank Furness Furness Evans amp Co Architectural styleVenetian Gothic VictorianNRHP reference No 72001154Significant datesAdded to NRHPMay 19 1972 2 Designated NHLFebruary 4 1985 3 Following completion of the Van Pelt Library in 1962 it was renamed the Furness Building after its architect and housed the university s art and architecture collections The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985 5 The Furness Building was renamed the Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library following a 6 year 16 5 million restoration completed in 1991 6 It is located on the east side of College Green at Locust Walk and 34th Street Contents 1 Design 2 Rejection 3 Belated appreciation 4 Arthur Ross Gallery 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksDesign Edit The glass roofed book stacks right were designed to be continuously expanded Main floor plan 1891 The library s plan is exceptionally innovative circulation to the building s five stories is through the tower s staircase separated from the reading rooms and stacks The Main Reading Room is a soaring four story brick and terra cotta enclosed space divided by an arcade from the two story Rotunda Reading Room The latter has a basilica plan with seminar rooms grouped around an apse like side chapels the entire space lighted by clerestory windows Above the Rotunda Reading Room is a two story lecture hall now an architecture studio The Main Reading Room with its enormous skylight and wall of south facing windows acts as a lightwell illuminating the surrounding inner rooms through leaded glass windows The three story fireproof stacks are housed in a modular iron wing with a glass roof and glass block floors to help light the lower levels It was designed to initially hold 100 000 books but also to be continuously expandable one bay at a time with a movable south wall Furness s perspective drawing highlighted this growth potential by showing nine bay stacks 7 although the initial three bay stacks were never expanded Throughout the building are windows inscribed with quotations from Shakespeare chosen by Horace Howard Furness Frank s older brother a University lecturer and a preeminent American Shakespearean scholar of the 19th century The architect collaborated with Melvil Dewey creator of the Dewey Decimal System and others to make this the most modern American library building of its time 8 The plans I sketched with Mr Furness late that evening seem to me better than any college library has yet adopted Melvil Dewey 9 The Henry Charles Lea Library a two story addition to the building s east side was designed by Furness Evans amp Company and completed in 1905 6 Rejection EditWithin a generation Frank Furness s exuberant masterwork was considered an embarrassment The University Museum moved to its own building in 1899 In 1915 the Duhring Wing was built at the south end of the stacks making their designed expansion impossible 10 Architect Robert Rodes McGoodwin drew up plans to cloak the entire building in sedate Collegiate Gothic brick and stone 11 The first step toward this was the 1931 addition of a reading room facing College Green now the Arthur Ross Gallery that masked the iron and glass stacks 12 Almost perversely McGoodwin s incongruous Collegiate Gothic addition was dedicated as a memorial to Horace Howard Furness 13 The building served as the main library of the University of Pennsylvania until the construction of Van Pelt Library in 1962 Today it houses collections related to architecture landscape architecture city and regional planning historic preservation history of art and studio arts Belated appreciation EditIn 1957 Penn trained architect and Philadelphia Evening Bulletin cartoonist Alfred Bendiner invited Frank Lloyd Wright to tour the Victorian behemoth then threatened with demolition Wright proclaimed It is the work of an artist 14 The Furness Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 2 was additionally listed as a contributing property in the University of Pennsylvania Campus Historic District in 1978 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985 1 3 Between 1986 and 1991 the building was restored by a team that included Venturi Rauch Scott Brown amp Associates Inc CLIO Group Inc and Marianna Thomas Architects 15 16 On the occasion of its centennial in February 1991 it was rededicated as the Anne amp Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library named for the restoration s primary benefactors The 16 5 million restoration garnered rave reviews from New York Times architectural critic Paul Goldberger 17 and received national awards from the Victorian Society in America 1991 the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 1992 and the American Institute of Architects 1993 13 The restored building was featured prominently in the 1993 film Philadelphia In a 2009 appreciation in The Wall Street Journal architectural historian Michael J Lewis called it a cheeky act of architectural impertinence and the last of its kind Today the University of Pennsylvania building now known as the Fisher Fine Arts Library is widely acknowledged as one of the great creations of 19th century American culture and the principal work of its architect Frank Furness 1839 1912 18 Arthur Ross Gallery EditHorace Howard Furness s collection of Shakespeare was moved to Van Pelt Library in the 1960s The former Furness Reading Room was converted into the Arthur Ross Gallery which houses the University s art collection Opened in 1983 19 the gallery is named for its benefactor noted philanthropist Arthur Ross who started his college studies at the University of Pennsylvania but later transferred to Columbia University 20 Admission to the public is free Gallery Edit Arthur Ross Gallery 1931 right and Duhring Wing 1915 far right Gargoyles Lantern of the porch and the leaded glass fanlight Henry Charles Lea Library bay window See also EditList of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia National Register of Historic Places listings in West PhiladelphiaReferences Edit a b Carolyn Pitts 1984 08 10 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Furness Library School of the Fine Arts University of Pennsylvania pdf National Park Service and Accompanying four photos from 1964 32 KB a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 a b Furness Library School of Fine Arts University of Pennsylvania National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on 2012 10 08 Retrieved 2008 07 03 Applications for Historical Landmark Status Accessed July 20 2007 Asset Detail focus nps gov Retrieved 2 February 2018 a b Anne and Jerome Fisher Fine Arts Library Chronology from Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Elevation and perspective drawing Archived 2008 06 10 at the Wayback Machine from Architectural Archives University of Pennsylvania Edward R Bosley University of Pennsylvania Library London Phaidon Press 1996 pp 17 22 Melvil Dewey to Provost William Pepper 20 April 1887 University of Pennsylvania Archives Duhring Wing from University of Pennsylvania Proposed alterations to University of Pennsylvania Library 1931 from University of Pennsylvania Architectural Archives Arthur Ross Gallery from University of Pennsylvania a b Bosley p 60 Alfred Bendiner Bendiner s Philadelphia New York A S Barnes amp Company 1964 pp 40 41 Bendiner cartoon from Architectural Archives University of Pennsylvania Restoration drawings Archived 2009 01 07 at the Wayback Machine from Architectural Archives University of Pennsylvania Restoration of the Furness Building Fisher Fine Arts Library University of Pennsylvania PDF Venturi Scott Brown and Associates Retrieved December 12 2013 Paul Goldberger In Philadelphia a Victorian Extravaganza Lives The New York Times June 2 1991 Lewis Michael J November 14 2009 This Library Speaks Volumes The Wall Street Journal Archived from the original on December 22 2014 Retrieved April 29 2022 History Arthur Ross Gallery Retrieved 21 December 2014 Martin Douglas 2007 09 11 Arthur Ross Investor and Philanthropist Who Left Mark on the Park Dies at 96 New York Times Retrieved 2014 12 21 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fisher Fine Arts Library Official Site Arthur Ross Gallery Historic American Buildings Survey HABS No PA 1644 University of Pennsylvania Furness Building 10 photos 1 photo caption page Furness Fine Arts Building in Winter Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fisher Fine Arts Library amp oldid 1112914831, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
