The Lynbrook Public Library is under consideration for the National Register of Historic Places following a nomination approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul earlier this year and submitted to the National Park Service on July 18. A decision is expected within 45 days.
Congresswoman Laura Gillen recently sent a letter to the National Park Service supporting the library’s listing, calling the nearly century-old institution “a treasured piece of our shared history on Long Island.”
“The Lynbrook Public Library is much more than a building. It's a treasured piece of our shared history on Long Island,” Gillen said. “It deserves recognition for its architectural beauty, its civic legacy and the important role it has played in the lives of generations of Lynbrook residents.”
The library is a prominent example of Neoclassical Revival architecture, featuring a formal entrance, large windows, an expansive reading room, and classical details throughout. Exterior carvings of Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, are etched into the building’s stonework, underscoring its historical role as a center for learning.
“It’s a beautiful building, and beautiful in its architecture,” said library director Robyn Gilloon. “We still live by the standard ideology set back in 1929.”
The library played a unique role in the early 20th century by hosting civic and women's groups, including clubs linked to the women's suffrage movement. Adult librarian Kathleen Curran noted that women’s clubs were instrumental in establishing many public libraries across the country during that period.
Gilloon said the library’s mission remains rooted in community service, literacy, and education, even as architectural and technological changes have altered some internal operations.
Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach also expressed support for the designation.
“The Library is one of Lynbrook's architectural treasures and has played a significant role in many cultural and political events of our nation," Beach said.
Deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst, who serves as liaison to the Library Board, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of local history.
“As a community it is important to preserve our past,” Hawxhurst said. “We are grateful that the NYS Historic Preservation Office nominated our application and are hopeful the National Park Service will add the Library to [the] National List of Historic Places.”
The Lynbrook Public Library, located in Nassau County, was designed by architect Hugh Tallant and completed in 1929. It is one of 20 sites statewide nominated this year for the historic designation. According to state officials, it is the only location on Long Island to receive this recognition in 2024.
Village Administrator John Giordano said the building’s architectural significance and civic legacy prompted him and Curran to begin the nomination process in 2020.
“It was a smart move on the Village back then to preserve the space and not move,” Giordano said.
The library faced demolition in 1985 due to its limited space. The original building, totaling just 9,000 square feet including the basement, was deemed insufficient for the community’s growing needs. A proposal was introduced to build a new facility at the site of the former Village Hall on Merrick Road, but residents rejected it by a 61 percent majority.
In response, the Library Board approved an expansion in 1986. The 11,000-square-foot addition was completed in 1992 and was designed to complement the historic character of the original structure.
Despite the expansion, parts of the library still require restoration. Giordano noted that repairs to the building’s stonework may cost several hundred thousand dollars. Designation on the National Register would make the library eligible for both federal and state preservation grants that could help fund needed improvements.
“It’s very exciting because we could eventually receive grants for preserving the library,” Giordano said.
Library officials said the recognition process has already generated renewed appreciation for the building and its legacy.
“It is a very exciting time as the Lynbrook Library continues through the process of being designated on the National Register of Historic Places,” Gilloon said. “The outpouring of support from Congresswoman Gillen, Mayor Beach, the Library and Village Board and residents is a reassurance of the importance of libraries throughout our history and into the future.”
The building was commissioned in 1928 as Lynbrook’s population grew with the expansion of the Long Island Rail Road. Tallant, who designed the structure, was known for his work on notable New York City landmarks, including the New Amsterdam Theatre and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, alongside his partner Henry Beaumont Herts.
The nomination was first announced on March 21. If approved by the National Park Service, the Lynbrook Public Library will officially join the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that affirms its historical and architectural significance.
“I think this nomination has shown what a jewel the library really is,” Gilloon said.
