The Susan J. Henry Branch, 1954 to 2001
The first library on the corner opened its doors on August 26, 1954, in a building by the Seattle firm NBBJ. At the benefactor's request, it was named the Susan J. Henry Branch.
That building quietly served a much wider region, too. Until 1973, its basement housed the Library for the Blind, serving Washington, Montana and Alaska, and the service carries on today as the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library.
The Story of the Rebuild
The path to today's branch began in 1998, when Seattle voters approved the citywide Libraries for All initiative to replace older and smaller branches, the Henry Branch among them.
Where the new library should go sparked a lively public debate. A private developer offered space inside a mixed-use project at Broadway and 10th Avenue East, but neighbors objected to its proposed 65-foot height. After two public meetings, the Seattle Library Board voted in October 1999 to rebuild on the familiar Harvard Avenue site.
The Henry Branch closed on November 3, 2001, and was torn down to make way for its successor. The new $5 million building opened on the same lot on May 31, 2003.
Why It Became the Capitol Hill Branch
City rules at the time did not allow new libraries to be named after individuals, so the rebuilt branch took the name Capitol Hill Branch instead of keeping the Henry name.
Neighbors embraced it right away. In its first year, the Capitol Hill Branch served 58 percent more patrons than the old branch had.
Look for the Green Wall
Cutler Anderson Architects designed the 2003 building, with a team led by James Cutler and Ray Johnston. They shaped it as a response to both sides of the neighborhood: the busy urban corridor of Broadway and the wooded residential streets around it.
Take a moment to notice a few details as you arrive:
- The green wall. Plants climb a steel mesh trellis on the building, softening the face it turns toward the street.
- Open, light-filled interior. Step into the unobstructed main space, where large expanses of glass and light from the south open up clear views outside.
- Masonry finish. Look closely at the exterior, where trowel struck mortar joints let the walls read as one solid mass.
Settle in with a book and you will see the point of it all: a calm place to read, with views of greenery from inside the building.
Planning Your Visit
Head to 425 Harvard Ave E, just a short walk from the shops and restaurants along Broadway. If you are driving, the building's basement holds an 18-stall parking garage, a real help in a neighborhood where street parking can be tight.
Hours, programs and services can change, so check the Capitol Hill Branch page on The Seattle Public Library website before you go. Curious how it compares with other branches around town? Browse our guide to all libraries in Seattle.
Parks, Gardens and Landmarks Nearby
Small green spaces and historic apartment buildings fill the surrounding blocks, so it is easy to pair your library stop with a short stroll.
- Tashkent Park, a park less than 0.1 mile away
- San Remo Apartment Building, a city landmark about 0.1 mile away
- Broadway Hill and Thomas Street Gardens, community gardens about 0.2 mile away
- Belmont Place and Thomas St. Mini Park, parks about 0.2 mile away
- Anhalt Apartment Building, a landmark about 0.2 mile away
To keep exploring the streets around you, dip into our Broadway neighborhood guide.
