Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel

The Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a historic public library housed in a building designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck and constructed by Michael J. Murphy in 1928. Named in honor of California Supreme Court Justice Ralph C. Harrison, the library was established through a generous donation from Ella Reid Harrison, who provided land, bonds, and a collection of rare books, furniture, and art to create a lasting memorial for her late husband.

Maybeck鈥檚 design, featuring a Spanish Eclectic style, resulted in a two-story building with castle-sized windows, making it an architectural landmark in the city. Over the years, the library has undergone several renovations, including significant updates in 1949, 1977, and 2020, the latter being one of the most extensive restorations in its history.

The library serves as a vital resource for education, recreation, and culture in the region, offering books, materials, and programs that support these pursuits. Additionally, the library's Local History Department holds archives documenting the history and development of Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, including photographs, letters, diaries, and other historically significant items. The library鈥檚 digital collection also features a range of media, from oral histories to photographs of Forest Theater performances.

One notable space in the library is the Barnet Segal Reading Room, named after Barnet J. Segal, and the library remains a treasured institution, continuing to evolve while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Carmel. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Harrison Memorial Library
Sight Location: Carmel, USA (See walking tours in Carmel)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Carmel, California

Create Your Own Walk in Carmel

Creating your own self-guided walk in Carmel is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Carmel Introduction Walking Tour

Carmel-by-the-Sea, frequently referred to as Carmel, was founded as a mission in 1770 by Franciscan priests. Though the area was settled in small numbers before that date, it was fully colonized by priests Junipero Serra and Juan Crespi. Along with being the site of the mission, the city was capital of California until 1849.

Eventually, Carmel became a haven for artists who formed a colony in... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Wine Tasting Walk

While it takes no more than a dozen minutes to stroll from one corner of Carmel to the other, it is quite easy to get lost. There are no street numbers in Carmel but the wine bars and bottle shops are plentiful, and the tasting rooms are even more so 鈥� enough to keep visitors busy for days!

This charming city is indeed a bona fide wine tasting destination at its best! Regardless of your... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Back in the early 1900s, little about Carmel-by-the-Sea rivaled the appeal of the magnificent ocean front. What is seen now as a quaint, European-like town on the coast of Central California, started off at the turn of the last century with the planting of 100 pine trees right down Main Street 鈥� today's Ocean Avenue. This was followed by the arrival of the young architect, Michael J.... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles

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