History
Local History
Your Home Public Library (YHPL) came into being as an organized institution in March of 1917. It grew out of the clear thought and careful planning of Harry L. Johnson, then the Vice President of the Johnson City Literary Society.
The library building was originally the old Brigham homestead, erected by Elijah Brigham in 1850. The old farm house was of wooden construction but was later replaced by a much finer homestead, the foundations, walls and partitions were built using brick from the Brigham Brick Yard, situated just north of the library building. The newer homestead was erected in 1885 and it was this building, with its broad lawns and pleasant verandahs, that was chosen by Mr. Johnson and the Endicott Johnson Corporation as the site of the present library.
In 1920 a large addition was built and the children’s room, dining rooms, and kitchen were removed to the new wing of the building. The children of the Village were given their own separate library room on the first floor of this annex. In 1920 a sewing school for girls was organized and about 200 children enrolled.
The library was owned, and entirely supported, by the Endicott Johnson Corporation until September 1921 when it was incorporated. Following it’s incorporation, it was supported by an annual appropriation of $7,000 from the Village of Johnson city, the balance of the operating budget coming from the Corporation. From 1925 to 1930 the Village appropriation increased to $9,000. In 1938 the library building was purchased by the Village of Johnson City.
The library building is listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places.
You can browse through old photos and postcards of the library and the Village of Johnson City at the library’s Flickr page.