Jefferson Market Library

What was originally a courthouse is now a branch of the New York Public Library that boasts Victorian Gothic architecture from the late 1800s and an immense amount of history. A police court resided on the first floor, where there is now a children’s room; a civil court was on the second floor, now home to the adult reading room; and on the lower level (now the reference room) prisoners were held before they made their way to jail or trial. Today, the library houses its fair share of books, and also hosts children’s and family events.