Huguenot Children’s Library Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Despite gloomy skies there was plenty of sunshine on site at the Huguenot Children’s Library Sunday. The beloved community institution turned 25 years old in November -- and the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation and New Rochelle Public Library celebrated with a special birthday bash that drew more than 300 children and families.

The free family-friendly day of fun included music by DJ Smithy Boy, crafts activities, balloon art, visits from costumed characters “Marshall” of Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig, and -- of course -- birthday cake and goody bags for all.

The Huguenot Children’s Library was built as a private home in 1869 and served as a branch of the New Rochelle Public Library for 70 years before budget cuts led to its closure. A volunteer group, the Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library, rescued the building and raised money to renovate it and the adjacent playground: It reopened as the county’s only freestanding children’s library in 1997. (The PHCL became part of the NRPL Foundation in 2019.)

Dr. Ed Pasciuti, who recently celebrated his own 97th birthday, was on hand to blow out the candles on the library’s birthday cake. Like his parents, Dr. Pasciuti grew up in New Rochelle and attended New Rochelle High School. He recalled that he was born in the 1920s, around the same time that the historic brick building was gifted to the city to become a branch of the New Rochelle Public Library. He said that the library “opened up a whole new world” for him as a child.

Although he moved to senior residence in Rye 23 years ago he still treasures the New Rochelle Public Library, as evidenced by his substantial gift to the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation earlier this year. “I chose the NRPL Foundation for my legacy gift because the Library encapsulates everything I love about New Rochelle, “ Dr. Pasciuti said. “My connection to the Library is lifelong.”

The New Rochelle Public Library Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises resources and provides advocacy to keep both branches of the New Rochelle Public Library vibrant, up-to-date, and able to serve the diverse needs of the New Rochelle community. For more information about the NRPL Foundation visit the website at www.nrplfoundation.org