Belmont Public Library (New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Belmont Public Library
|
|
 |
|
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 146 Main St., Belmont, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Wells & Hudson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002191 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 1985 |
The Belmont Library is a special public library in Belmont, New Hampshire. It's a place where everyone can find books, learn new things, and explore ideas. You can find it at 146 Main Street. This beautiful building was designed by Wells & Hudson and built a long time ago, in 1927-28. It has a unique style called Colonial Revival, which looks like old American colonial homes.
Contents
A Look at the Library Building
The Belmont Library is right in the middle of Belmont's village center. It sits at the corner of Main and Mill streets. It's a single-story building made from red bricks. The roof is made of slate and has a pointed shape, called a gabled roof.
Outside the Library
The front of the library has three main sections. The two outer sections have windows. The middle section is where you'll find the main entrance. The windows are tall and rectangular. They have a special stone design above them and a small, fancy metal balcony in front.
The main door is covered by a small porch. This porch has two sets of columns that look like ancient Greek designs. Above the columns, you can see the library's name. The entrance itself is shaped like a round arch. It has narrow windows on the sides and a half-circle window above the door.
Inside the Library
When you step inside, you'll notice the beautiful wooden decorations. The library is set up with a central desk for the librarian. On either side of the desk, there are comfortable reading rooms. The entrance area and the fireplaces at each end of the building stick out a bit into the rooms. Downstairs, in the basement, there's even a small auditorium.
The Library's Story
The Belmont Library first opened its doors in 1893. Back then, it was located on the second floor of the town's fire station, called the Hose House. As more people started using the library, it quickly needed a bigger space.
A Special Gift
The building you see today was built because the library outgrew its old home. It was a generous gift from the Duffy brothers. They owned the Belmont Hosiery Company, a local business. They not only paid for the building but also gave money to help the library operate.
The Belmont Library building is considered one of the best examples of Colonial Revival architecture in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. Because of its special design and history, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
