Cook Memorial Library (Tamworth, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cook Memorial Library
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 93 Main St., Tamworth, New Hampshire |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000269 |
| Added to NRHP | June 25, 1980 |
The Cook Memorial Library is the public library for the town of Tamworth, New Hampshire. It is located at 93 Main Street, right in the middle of town. The library is housed in a beautiful building from 1895. It has a special design style called Queen Anne Victorian. This building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The idea for a library in Tamworth started a long time ago, in 1796. A man named Parson Samuel Hidden created a private "social library" back then. The current library building was a gift. It was given to honor Charles Cook, who was a successful local businessman and politician.
About the Cook Memorial Library
A Look at the Library Building
The Cook Memorial Library stands in the peaceful town center of Tamworth. It is a single-story building made of wood. The roof has a unique shape called a clipped gable roof. The outside walls are covered with both smooth wooden boards, called clapboards, and decorative cut shingles. The roof edges stick out quite far. They are held up by decorative brackets, which look like fancy supports.
There is a two-story square tower on the right front corner of the building. It has a round window on the first floor. On the second floor, there is a clock! The tower is topped with a pyramid-shaped roof that has flared edges. The front of the library has two windows placed under a small, slanted roof. This roof is also supported by turned brackets. Inside the library, you can still see many beautiful original features. The main reading room has especially fine woodwork.
The Library's Long History
The story of Tamworth's library began in 1796. That's when a private library was first started. People paid a small yearly fee to be members. This gave them access to about 600 books. This early library is directly connected to the Cook Memorial Library we see today.
The current library is named after Charles P. Cook. He grew up in Tamworth and became a very successful businessman. The money for the library building was a gift from Cook's wife, Susan Staples Cook. She wanted to create a lasting memory for her husband.
