With more than 5,000 furniture and design specific volumes, The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library is the largest furniture specialty library in the world. The rare book collection contains volumes published since 1543 and includes a collection of the original works of 18th-century furniture masters Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite, as well as a complete 26 volume set of Diderot’s Encyclopedia published in 1776.
This is one of the few, if not the only place in the world where design professionals, scholars, students, and the public can don a pair of white gloves and examine the original works of the pioneer designers in our industry.
The library also contains rare drawings and furniture details. It is a treasure trove of inspiration, information and illustration for anyone interested in design.
The Bienenstock Library Tour
In addition to the Bienenstock Furniture Library’s collection of over 5,000 volumes, study areas and rare book room, it’s facilities include the Vuncannon Room, Hadley Court Center for Design Collaboration (Media Room) and the Pat Plaxico Gardens.
These areas are available for seminars, classes, events, meetings, design collaborations, networking and design retreats. Companies, and organizations using the facilities generally make a suggested contribution to help maintain the space.
We invite you to visit the Bienenstock Furniture Library to experience the collection in person. In the meantime, you can take a 3D Virtual Tour below.
What do Designers say about Bienenstock Furniture Library
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