Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 302 E. Main St., Belding, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Frank P. Allen & Son |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000427 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 1993 |
The Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library is a special public library building. You can find it at 302 East Main Street in Belding, Michigan. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. It's a place where people can read, learn, and connect.
Contents
A Look Back: The Library's Story
How Belding Grew
The story of the library starts with the Belding family. Hiram Belding and Mary Wilson Belding moved to what is now Belding in 1855. Their 17-year-old son, Alvah N. Belding, came with them. Soon, Alvah's brother Hiram joined them.
Farming was tough for the family. So, in 1857, the Belding brothers started selling silk thread. By 1863, they opened a store in Chicago. A year later, they began making their own thread.
The Silk Industry in Belding
The Belding brothers' business grew very big. They built many factories across the country. In 1886, they opened their first factory in Belding. It was called the Richardson Silk Mill. More factories followed.
By the early 1900s, making silk was the main business in Belding. The town grew a lot because of this. In 1880, about 500 people lived there. By 1910, over 4,000 people called Belding home.
Building the Library
As Belding grew, so did its community groups. The Ladies' Literary Exchange Club started in 1897. In 1913, this club suggested building a public library. The city liked the idea and a library board was chosen.
The first public library opened in the city hall in 1915. Then, in 1917, Alvah N. Belding made a big gift. He gave $50,000 to build a new, permanent library. A company from Grand Rapids, Frank P. Allen & Son, designed the building. The first stone was laid in the summer of 1917. The beautiful new library was finished in 1918.
The Library's Role Over Time
After the library was built, things changed for Belding. New fabrics replaced silk. Alvah Belding passed away in 1925. The silk mills were sold. During the Great Depression, the mills closed by 1932.
During these hard times, the library became a key place for the community. It was a social center for people who didn't have jobs. Belding slowly recovered, but it was no longer just a silk town. Many old mills were taken down or used for other things. The library is the only building linked to Alvah N. Belding that is still used for its original purpose.
What the Library Looks Like
The Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library has a unique shape. It looks like a "T" from above. Its roof slopes down on all sides, which is called a hip roof. The building is made of light-colored stone called Bedford limestone. There's also a small extension at the back with a shed roof.
The library sits on a hill near the Flat River. This means you can enter the basement from the back. The roof is covered with green Spanish tiles.
Outside the Library
The front of the library has a grand entrance. It has a special porch-like structure called a portico. This portico has a triangular top, called a pediment, held up by two columns. The main door is arched. On each side of the door are small windows.
Next to the portico are large, round-arched windows. These windows have decorative stone carvings above them. The sides of the building look similar to the front.
Inside the Library
When you go inside, you'll find a main lobby and a front desk. On each side of the lobby are two large rooms for reading. Near the entrance, there's a small room for coats and stairs leading to the basement.
The basement has a big hall and a meeting room. There are also rooms for the furnace and storage down there.
Images for kids
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Alvah Norton Belding (1838–1925) was the generous person who donated money for the library.
