Russell's History: Western Branch Library

The Western Branch Library, located at 10th and Chestnut, is the FIRST full service library dedicated to the education and enrichment of African Americans in the country. The Western Branch library was originally founded in 1905 and did not move to it's current location until 1908. In 1994 the Library was renovated and added an elevator, a new service desk, and most importantly a climate-controlled archives room to protect and preserve valuable African American documents and manuscripts.

The library was founded by Thomas Blue and Albert Meyzeek. Meyzeek, then the principle of Central High School, was concerned about the lack of reference and reading materials available to his students, so he boldly took them to the Polytechnic Society Library. After a few visits he and his students were refused admittance. Meyzeek was outraged. He and several other African American leaders put pressure on the Library board and convinced them to provide a "colored" branch.

The original library began in three rented rooms in a private residence in the Russell Neighborhood.  Thomas Blue (pictured above with his staff) on September 23, 1905 was chosen as it's first head librarian. Becoming the first African African to head a full service library. The Western Branch Library moved to a Carnegie building and its currently location in 1908.

In 1914, Mr. Blue opened the Eastern Branch Library, the second Carnegie library for African Americans in the Smoketown neighborhood. In 1919, the Colored Department of the Louisville Library system was founded, becoming the first of it's kind in the United States. The department included two Carnegie Buildings, two junior high schools, 15 stations, and 80 class room collections in 29 buildings.

Mr. Blue also created a library apprentice class which was held at the Western and Eastern Branch library libraries. He drew students from as far away as Houston. His work here in Louisville also led to the establishment of Hampton Library School at his alma mater Hamption Normal and Agricultural Institute (present day Hampton University). 

*The Eastern Branch Library is no longer in open. It was closed due to budget cuts. The Building still stands on Handcock street and is currently used a daycare.

What's going to happen to Market Street?

What's going to happen to Market Street as it runs through Russell? I took some pictures last year of west Market as part of our historic preservation efforts. Now as I go down Market Street I noticed that several of the buildings have been torn down. This bothers me. Older urban neighborhoods like Russell need their older building. 

These building are very flexible and can/could have a variety of uses. Besides, it's usually cheaper to rehab one of these older buildings than to build new ones. It's already hard enough to convince someone to come and start a business in Russell. It's going to be even harder to convince a business to build a brand new structure that fits in with the urban character of Russell that will most likely cost several million dollars. Besides these older buildings give Russell it's character. 

Here are a couple of photos of some of those older buildings on Market that still stand.

Historic Preservation

We here in the Russell Neighborhood have been trying to get classified as historic preservation district for well over 2 years now. Every time we get over one hurdle we encounter another.  It's almost like the city doesn't want us to have this distinction. I can understand why. If we were to get this designation then a lot of the "slum" lords and Half-way houses in the neighborhood might actually have to keep their property up. It would also make it hard for Habitat for Humanity to build their houses. 

It's not that I mind having habitat for humanity houses in my neighborhood. I don't. I don't mind rental housing.  I just wish they would spread the wealth. Why does the west end have to the majority of rental houses, habitat for humanity homes, and half-way houses? It is because we are a poor blighted neighborhood? Is it because the rest of the city that is east of 9th street ignores what goes on here? I would say yeah. Louisville is a hyper segregated city. It always has been and looks to be that way for some decades to come. 

I think the city is afraid that if we get this distinction that we will use it to try and keep some of these half-way houses and rental properties out. That we will somehow set a master plan for the area that calls for curbing these types of developments. If that happens then the city just can't put the "undesirables"  in our neighborhood and forget about them. If that is what the city is afraid of then they should be. Because that's exactly what we intend to do.