Lewisham Central Public Library opens 23rd November 1901

On 23rd November 1901 Lewisham Metropolitan Borough opened Lewisham Central Library next to Colfe's Almshouses in the High Street. The 1917 borough guide describes it as a red brick and terracotta building with a lending department, reference room, news room and magazine room. In the entrance hall was a tablet commemorating Alfred the Great, a previous Lord of Lewisham. This was installed in the new Central Library when it replaced the original in 1994.