Dingley Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oak Street School
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Oak Street School
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 36 Oak Street, Lewiston, Maine |
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| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | George M. Coombs |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000190 |
| Added to NRHP | October 8, 1976 |
The Dingley Building, once known as the Oak Street School, is a special old building in Lewiston, Maine. It's located at 36 Oak Street. This building was constructed in 1890.
It's a great example of a building style called Richardsonian Romanesque. A local architect named George M. Coombs designed it. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. Today, the building is used for the main offices of the Lewiston school system.
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About the Dingley Building
The Dingley Building is found near the edge of Lewiston's main shopping area. It sits on a block surrounded by Middle, Oak, and Bates Streets. It's a two-story building made of red bricks. It also has stone decorations.
The building has a tall, sloped roof. It sits on a raised basement, which is separated by a stone band. The main entrance is set back inside a large, round archway. Stairs lead up to this entrance.
Unique Design Features
The entrance is part of a section that sticks out. This section has a pointed roof, like a gable. A tall, round tower, called a turret, rises from the left corner. On top of the turret is an open lookout area. It has a curved, round roof.
Windows in the sticking-out section are also round-arched. There are four windows grouped together on the second floor. In the pointed roof section, there are three windows in a special design. This design is similar to a Palladian window style.
History of the Building
The architect George M. Coombs designed this school building. It was finished in 1890. In 1899, its name was changed to the Dingley Building. This was done to honor Nelson Dingley, Jr.. He was a former governor of Maine. He also served for a long time in the U.S. Congress.
Past and Present Uses
After being built, the building was first used as a school. Later, it became an elementary school. Then, it served as the main office for the Lewiston Board of Education. It still houses the central offices for the school district today. The Lewiston Historical Commission also holds its meetings in this building.
In June 2008, a lightning bolt hit the Dingley Building. No one was hurt during this event. However, the wooden tower and some of the building's systems had moderate damage.
See also
