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West Avenue Library, Library System mark 80th anniversary of opening

The Newport News Public Library System celebrated the 80th anniversary of the opening of West Avenue Library -- its first Library -- with a presentation, display and refreshments Oct. 14 and Oct. 17.

The Newport News Public Library System celebrated the 80th anniversary of the opening of West Avenue Library -- its first Library -- with a presentation, display and refreshments Oct. 14 and Oct. 17.

“It is a community treasure that is held in the memories of so many of our citizens and continues to serve all of the people of downtown Newport News,” said Judy Condra, a Library System employee who has researched the West Avenue Library, in describing the history of the building.

It was the first building constructed as a Library in Newport News, and it has continued to operate as a Library since opening on Oct. 14, 1929. In 2007, it was designated as a historical landmark because of its Georgian Revival architecture and its role in the desegregation of Newport News, and it was featured in the first coffee table book on Libraries, “Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love,” as the only Library in Virginia to be featured.

Timeline of historic West Avenue Library

July 6, 1927     Commonwealth of Virginia issues Charter of Incorporation to the  

                         Newport News Public Library Inc.

May 1928        City residents voted 2,285 to 827 to approve the $45,000 bond issue 

                         for the Library Building.

Feb. 12, 1929   Official groundbreaking for the new Library building.

April 11, 1929 Cornerstone was laid. Homer L. Ferguson, president of the Newport

                         News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., gave the keynote speech.

Oct. 14, 1929   Library building was officially opened to the public.

1946                 Basement was finished for use as the children’s library.

July 8, 1952     Library became integrated, making it one of the first establishments in

 Newport News to racially desegregate.

1954                 The ceiling over the north reading room was removed and replaced.

May 2, 1957    Captain Christopher Newport mural, created by local artist Allan D. Jones Jr., was installed.

1957                New HVAC system, new lighting. Rear stack area remodeled.

1968                Operation of the Library was turned over to the City of Newport News.

Mid-1970s     Chandeliers were replaced.

1976                Martha Woodroof Hiden Virginiana Room added.

1986                Front steps were repaired and renovated.

1986-1987       Building rehab. Boiler replaced. Flat metal portion of the roof was

                         replaced with standing seam metal. Walls painted. Carpet replaced.      

                         plaster walls patched. Reglazed windows.

2007                Designated a historical landmark. Mural restored for Jamestown 2007. Selected to be a part of the first coffee table book on libraries: “Heart of the Community: The Libraries We Love” – chosen from hundreds of nominations across the United States and the only Library in Virginia to be featured.

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