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Armstrong Memorial Building
WindhamNH ArmstrongMemorialHall.jpg
Armstrong Memorial Building is located in New Hampshire
Armstrong Memorial Building
Location in New Hampshire
Armstrong Memorial Building is located in the United States
Armstrong Memorial Building
Location in the United States
Location 3 N Lowell Rd., Windham, New Hampshire
Area less than one acre
Built 1899 (1899)
Architect William Weare Dinsmoor
Architectural style Shingle; Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No. 100002974
Added to NRHP September 11, 2018

The Armstrong Memorial Building is a special old building in Windham, New Hampshire, United States. It was built in 1899 and was the first building made just for the town's library. It served as the library until 1997. Today, it is home to the town's museum. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

What the Building Looks Like

The Armstrong Memorial Building is in the center of Windham. It is surrounded by other town buildings, like the old town hall. The building is a single story tall. It has an outside made of fieldstone, which are natural stones found in fields.

Roof and Windows

The roof of the building is a hip roof, meaning all sides slope downwards to the walls. You can see the ends of the wooden beams under the roof. There are also small dormers on the front. Dormers are window structures that stick out from the roof.

The windows are special too. They are casement windows, which open outwards like a door. They are grouped together in bands and have diamond-shaped glass panes.

Main Entrance

At the front of the building, you'll find the main entrance. It has a covered porch called a portico. This portico has a gabled roof, which means it comes to a point like a triangle. Square stone columns hold up this porch, making the entrance look grand.

History of the Building

Windham's first library started a long time ago, in the 1700s. It was a shared project with the nearby town of Salem. People had to pay a fee to use it.

First Free Library

In 1874, Windham got its first free public library. This was made possible by money from Colonel Thomas Nesmith, who grew up in Windham. This early library was located inside the town hall.

A New Library Building

Later, in 1897, another Windham resident named George Washington Armstrong gave money to build a new library. This new building was finished in 1899. It was designed by William Weare Dinsmoor, an architect from Windham. A mason named Loren Emerson Bailey built it.

The Armstrong Memorial Building served as the town's library for many years, until 1997. After that, the library moved to a newer building on Fellows Road. Now, this historic building is used as the town museum, where people can learn about Windham's past.

See also

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