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Armstrong Browning Library
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Education Colleges & Universities Museums, Colleges & Universities [Edit]
710 Speight AveWaco, TX 76798
(254) 710-3566
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 12 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
3 reviews for Armstrong Browning Library
3 reviews in English
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Review from Ryan V.
9/23/2010
GAGH! Gawgeous!
Just go check this out, it is beautiful, you don't need to know anything other than it is majestic and opulent.
The stained glass is amazing, the hall of meditation is awe inspiring, etc. It really is just wonderful.
Be careful of parking though! I parked in the Baylor visitor lot, only to come back to a "Baylor ticket." WTF?! Apparently you have to have freaking visitor credentials.
So there's that... Just be aware.
Totally worth it to make special arrangements to come by if you're in Waco though. I want to come backkk! -
Review from Jill M.
Houston, TX
12/9/2007 1 photo
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."
OK-I'm not really going to count the ways I love the library, but I figured most people would recognize that quote. It's not Shakespeare; it's Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This library/museum includes a wide array of artwork, personal effects, and manuscripts by Robert Browning and his wife Elizabeth. If you're a scholar of Victorian poetry, researching here would be a dream come true.
Even if you're not a fan of Victorian poetry, the Armstrong Browning Library is worth a visit. The beautiful building, which frequently hosts weddings and special events, contains the largest collection of secular stained glass in the world. You might also enjoy the unique and fascinating architectural details throughout the interior of the building. If pottery or porcelain is your thing, check out the Wedgwood and pottery collections, too.
Upstairs, the curators have recreated the Browning's home, complete with their authentic furniture and decor. If you ever wondered about life in the mid-1800s, this could give you a pretty accurate picture of it.
Admission is free, so check this place out next time you're in the heart of Texas!Listed in: Waco: It's not that bad.
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Review from Aimee Z.
Plano, TX
6/3/2008
Hands down the most beautiful library I have ever been to. This will give the one in New York, that Carrie and Big almost got married in, a run for it's money.
A great place to go hide away and be lost in your thoughts.... as memories and sentimental values run deep thru the gold plated ceilings and stained glass windows.Listed in: What is there to do in Waco?
Specialties
The Armstrong Browning Library is a research library devoted to the study of the lives and works of the Victorian poets, Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
It houses the world's largest collection of books, letters, manuscripts, and memorabilia pertaining to the Brownings, as well as a substantial collection of primary and secondary materials related to 19th-century literature and culture. Included in the latter category are works by literary figures who were contemporaries and associates of the Brownings, such as Matthew Arnold, Charles Dickens, George MacDonald, Joseph Milsand, and John Ruskin. Growing collections of 19th-century women poets and 19th-century theological pamphlets are among its newest avenues of expansion. Students and scholars are welcome to conduct research using its extensive non-circulating collections.
History
Established in 1951
In 1918, Dr. Armstrong donated his collection of Browning books to Baylor University. For the rest of his life he dedicated a major part of his energy to raising funds. Initially, the Browning collection was housed on the open shelves of Baylor's main library, but in 1922 a fire occurred. Fortunately, all of the Browning items were saved, so, during the renovation of the building, a special Browning Room was created and dedicated in 1924.
As early as 1925, Baylor's Browning collection was clearly the largest single concentration in the world; equally clear was the need for a separate building. In 1943, Baylor president Pat N. Neff offered $100,000 toward the construction of the library and challenged Armstrong to raise the remaining funds. Despite being slowed by a post-war economy, groundbreaking for the three-story library was held on May 7, 1948. Finally, after construction, dedication ceremonies were held December 1, 1951.
Today, the ABL continues to grow in volume and importance
