Bass Harbor Memorial Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bass Harbor Memorial Library
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 89 Bernard Rd., Tremont, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1922 |
| Built by | Charles Lawson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000593 |
| Added to NRHP | August 5, 2009 |
The Bass Harbor Memorial Library is a public library located in Tremont, Maine. You can find it at 89 Bernard Road in the village of Bernard. This special building was constructed in 1922 using money given by Rhoda M. Watson, who grew up in Tremont. It's a great example of Colonial Revival style architecture.
In 2009, the library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
Contents
Discovering the Library Building
The Bass Harbor Memorial Library building has two main parts. The first part was built in 1922 and is made of brick. The second part is a newer addition from 1991, built at the back using wood.
The Original Brick Building
The older brick section of the library is built on a strong concrete base. Its walls are made of bricks laid in a special pattern. The roof is shaped like a triangle on the sides.
The front of the building faces east. It has a special entrance area that sticks out, with its own small roof. This entrance is supported by columns and pilasters, which look like flat columns. The wall around the main door is covered in stucco, a type of plaster. The wooden front door has a beautiful semicircular window above it, called a fanlight.
The Modern Addition
The newer part of the library, built in 1991, is made of wood. It's covered with vinyl siding, which is a common material for homes. This section is more practical and holds many of the library's modern facilities.
Inside the Library
When you enter the main door, you first step into a small entry area called a vestibule. From there, you go into the main reading room. This large room takes up the entire brick part of the building from 1922.
The reading room has a unique ceiling that curves like the inside of a barrel. The walls are covered with dark-stained wooden boards. The back half of the library, in the newer section, is where you'll find the book stacks, offices, and other updated areas.
A Look at the Library's History
The idea for a public library in Tremont started with Mrs. Vesta McRae. She had a private collection of books, likely in her own home, and shared them with the community. By 1920, her collection had grown to about 1200 books!
Building the Library
The 1922 part of the library building was designed by an unknown architect. It was paid for by Rhoda M. Watson. She wanted to honor her late husband, Edwin, who was a businessman from Leicester, Massachusetts. The town officially accepted the new library building in 1923.
It's possible that Charles Lawson, who built the library, also designed it. He was Rhoda Watson's brother. Many public libraries were built around this time with money from generous donations. Libraries were seen as a very important part of a community's education.
