Wallace Collection of the wealthiest families in Europe. They owned large properties in England, Wales and Ireland, and increased their wealth through successful marriages. Politically of lesser importance, the 3rd and 4th Marquess and Sir Richard Wallace became leading art collectors of their time. The Wallace Collection, comprising about 5,500 works of art, was bequeathed to the British nation by Lady Wallace in 1897. The state then decided to buy Hertford House to display the collection and it was opened as a museum in 1900. As a museum the Wallace Collection's main strength is perhaps its extraordinary array of 18th-century French art:
Hartford Public Library 2007. The 21st century Hartford Public Library and its nine branches are state of the art, fully computerized. Caroline Hewins 1893–1926 Patricia Berberich Louise Blalock 1994–2008 Matthew K. Poland 2009–2016 Bridget Quinn-Carey 2016–present A unique feature of the Hartford Public Library is its Hartford History Center. It is the library’s specialized collection focused on the story of Hartford: its history, its authors, architecture, photographs, pamphlets, periodicals, books, postcards, trade publications, city directories, prints, posters and memorabilia. The holdings in the Hartford History Center include:<br> • The institutional archives of the Hartford Public Library<br> • The archives of the City of