Library free from the start

Unlike some libraries that were reading rooms before they became libraries, Abijah Fisk planned his donation for a free library right from the start.  Now, free was not necessarily free by today’s standards.  It is unlikely that Africans, Creoles, and Native Americans would have been allowed in.  Especially before the Civil War ended and probably afterwards as well although this is speculation because as previously noted, most records have been lost due to fires, floods or hurricanes.  The definition of free during the 19^th century in the South did not generally apply to anyone of “color” and it is unlikely that the city council would change the rules and break with longstanding tradition for a library.