Acworth Silsby Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Acworth Silsby Library
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5 Lynn Hill Rd., Acworth, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Hira R. Beckwith |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004206 |
| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1983 |
The Acworth Silsby Library is the public library for the town of Acworth, New Hampshire. You can find it right in the center of town at 5 Lynn Hill Road. This special building was built in 1891.
A man named Ithiel Homer Silsby, who grew up in Acworth, paid for its construction. The library is a great example of a building style called Romanesque architecture. Because of its unique design and history, the library was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This list includes important historical sites across the United States.
Contents
About the Acworth Silsby Library Building
The Acworth Silsby Library stands next to the town's common area. It is a one-and-a-half-story building made of strong brick. Stone details decorate the brick walls. The building sits on a foundation made of fieldstone, which are natural stones found in fields.
Library Design and Features
The roof of the library is a hipped style, meaning it slopes on all four sides. It is covered with slate tiles. A brick chimney rises from behind the main part of the roof. The front of the building looks balanced and even on both sides.
There are two sets of windows on either side of the main entrance. These windows have special Craftsman-style glass panels above them. The entrance itself is set back a bit, under a rounded archway. A small gable, or triangular roof section, sits above the entrance.
Inside the Library
When you step inside, you'll find a central entryway. On either side of this foyer are reading rooms, perfect for quiet study. At the back of the building, there's a rectangular section. This area holds all the library's books, known as the library stacks.
History of the Acworth Silsby Library
The unique Romanesque style of the library was designed in 1891. The architect and builder was Hira R. Beckwith. He was from Claremont, a nearby town. Beckwith is also known for designing other important buildings. One famous example is the Claremont City Hall.
Who Funded the Library?
The money to build the library came from Ithiel Homer Silsby. He was born in Acworth but later moved to Boston. There, he became very successful as a hotel owner. Silsby wanted to give back to his hometown.
He also helped build another library in Charlestown, New Hampshire. This was a town where he had once worked as a teacher. His gifts helped create important community spaces for learning and reading.
