Bancroft Memorial Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bancroft Memorial Library
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 50 Hopedale St., Hopedale, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | C. Walker Howard |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000188 |
| Added to NRHP | February 12, 1999 |
The Bancroft Memorial Library is the main public library for the town of Hopedale, Massachusetts. You can find it at 50 Hopedale Street, right in the center of town. This beautiful building was finished in 1899. It is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Discovering the Library's History
The Bancroft Memorial Library is on the west side of Hopedale Street. It's just a short walk north of the town common. This building is made of stone and has only one floor.
Building Design and Features
A famous architect from Boston, C. Howard Walker, designed the library. He was part of the Walker & Kimball firm. The building uses pink Milford granite, a strong stone from the area. Its design was inspired by the old Merton College Chapel in Oxford, England.
The main entrance stands out with a large, rounded archway. Smaller archways are on either side. Inside, you can still see many of the original details. These include strong oak beams on the ceiling. There's also an oak desk where you check out books. Oak dividers separate the reading areas, much like you might see in old churches.
How the Library Started
Hopedale had its first real library way back in 1840. Before this building, the library moved around a lot. It was in people's homes, churches, and even the town hall. By 1886, it was on the first floor of the town hall.
The library building you see today was a gift to the town. Joseph Bubier Bancroft paid for it to honor his wife, Sylvia. Mr. Bancroft was an important person in Hopedale. He worked for the Draper Corporation, which was the biggest employer in town. He also helped lead the town as a selectman and served in the state government. The library was built next to his own house. He gave it to Hopedale when it was finished in 1899.
