‘It is a living cenotaph’: Halifax residents petition to save closed library

Community members say preserving the Halifax Memorial Library is important for maintaining the region’s history. Paul Hollingsworth reports.

HALIFAX – The old Halifax Memorial Library closed 12 years ago and still serves as a lasting tribute to those who served in the First and Second World Wars, as well as the Korean War.

“It is a living cenotaph,” said William Breckinridge, who is with The Friends of the Halifax Memorial Library and is fighting to save what he called a heritage treasure. “I want to adapt and reuse the building, and I think it’s totally doable.”

Breckinridge said the building, built in 1951, offers a commanding presence in a city known for its historic properties.

“It has that kind of classical art deco architecture to it, and it was angled so you could see it and admire it as you were coming up and down Spring Garden Road,” said Breckinridge.

According to historian David Jones, the entire library property, including the greenspace beneath the snow is hallowed ground with graves dating back more than 250 years.

“We are standing right now on a burial ground, and it was the old cemetery of the poor house, or the workhouse of Halifax,” said Jones. “Thousands of people are buried here.”

A petition has been launched to keep the building and leave the park untouched.

Breckinridge believes Halifax’s rich military history underscores the main reasons why this entire property should continue to serve as a monument.

“It was the first civic building built after the Second World War,” said Breckinridge. “I would rate it as the second-most important civic building, next to City Hall.”

The city plans to engage in public consultation, with ideas submitted for use of this property.

“The municipality continues to review the potential for the Halifax Memorial Library site,” said Halifax Public Affairs advisor Brynn Budden. “An update report to Regional Council to further identify the scope of the project and its intended consultation program is being considered and could be submitted within the next few months.

Both Breckinridge and Jones plan to attend the public engagement sessions, to ensure their ideas to preserve the property are considered.