John L. Dart Library

Front inscription

Dart Hall, at Kracke and Bogard Sts., was founded in 1927 by Susan Dart Butler (1888-1959) as the first public library for African Americans in Charleston. She was the daughter of Rev. John L. Dart (1844-1947), who in 1894 established the Charleston Normal and Industrial Institute, later Burke H.S. The library began as a reading room in the printing office of the Institute, relying on Rev. Dart’s personal collection.

Reverse inscription

In 1931, with support of the Julius Rosenwald Fund, the collection and building expanded, and Dart Hall became a branch of the Charleston Free Library. The Dart family leased the building to the county for $1 a year until the county bought the building in 1952. Susan Dart Butler continued to serve as librarian until 1957. In 1968 a new library was completed here and the original Dart Hall Library was razed.