Rosenberg Library facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rosenberg Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Rosenberg Library in 2016
Location	2310 Sealy St., Galveston, Texas
Area	less than one acre
Built	1902 (1902)
Architect	Multiple
Architectural style	Second Renaissance Revival
MPS	Central Business District MRACentral Business District MRA
NRHP reference No.	84001722
Added to NRHP	August 14, 1984

Rosenberg Library is a public library located at 2310 Sealy Street in Galveston, Texas, United States. It is special because it's the oldest library in Texas that has been open without stopping. It also serves as the main office for the Galveston County Library System. The head librarian here is also the Galveston County Librarian.

History of the Library

The Rosenberg Library first started in 1900. Its main building was built a few years later. In 1905, it took over all the books from an older library called the Public Library. That library had been around since 1871.

Separate Libraries for African Americans

Central High School and the "Colored Branch of the Rosenberg Library"

For many years in the southern United States, there was a system called segregation. This meant that Black people and white people were kept separate in many public places, including libraries.

Because of this, the Rosenberg Library had a separate branch for African Americans. This new library branch was built in 1905. It was added to the west side of Central High School. Central High School was the city's high school for African American students at that time.

Galveston & Texas History Center

The oldest free public library in continuous operation in Texas.

The Galveston and Texas History Center is a special part of the Rosenberg Library. It collects many different items that tell the story of Galveston and early Texas.

Here are some things you can find there:

• Old Letters and Papers: They have important documents from people like Samuel May Williams and Gail Borden.
• Business Records: You can see records from old businesses from the 1800s and early 1900s.
• Maps: The center has maps of Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Some of these maps are very old, from the 1500s!
• Historical Objects: They also have artifacts, which are historical items, related to Galveston and early Texas.
• Paintings: There are paintings of Galveston scenes and art by local artists.
• Rare Books: The collection includes very old books, some of the first editions ever printed.

Statue of Henry Rosenberg at the Rosenberg Library