Art Collection
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In addition to traditional library resources, the Paterson Public Library holds an important
collection of 19th century American and European art and exhibits this
art for the benefit of the people of Paterson. Most of the
collection was given to the library earlier in this century by philanthropist Ralph P. Ross and Jennie Tuttle Hobart, wife of Garret. A Hobart, Vice-President of the United States under
President William McKinley. Also on display
are paintings, sculptures and decorative arts given by other individuals.
Special changing exhibits by local artists are sometimes on view in the upstairs
gallery. Tours of the building and exhibits are available for school
children and the general public. |
The Architecture
The building
itself is a valuable work of art. Completed in 1905, the Danforth
Memorial Library (Main Library) was designed by Henry Bacon, architect
of the Lincoln Memorial. Tours of the landmark building which is
on the National Register of Historic Places emphasize its historical and
architectural significance. Bacon's original drawings are available
on request. The Danforth Memorial was a gift of the always generous Mary
Danforth Ryle in memory of her father, John Danforth. Mrs. Ryle also
donated the previous library building on Park Avenue destroyed in the Great
Fire of 1902. |
Hobart Memorial Collection
On permanent
exhibit in the library, the Hobart Memorial Collection is composed of twenty-five
19th century paintings, primarily American landscapes and genre scenes
by well-known artists. The paintings were donated to the people
of the City of Paterson by Mrs. Garret (Jennie) Hobart in 1925 as a memorial
to her husband and are held in trust by the Library Board of Trustees.
The collection includes the recently restored portraits of President
McKinley and Vice-President Hobart. Garret
Augustus Hobart Biography
Highlights
from the collection:
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Ross Collection
Ralph P. Ross, one of
the city’s leading philanthropists, was an avid art collector and President
of the Library Board of Trustees for many years. In an effort to
share his impressive collection with the public, Ross donated a large portion
of the paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and rare books to the Library.
Highlights from the collection:
Children’s
Parade/ Samuel S. Carr (Business Office)
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Desert
Scene/ Alberto Pasini (Reference) |
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