Flint Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Flint Public Library
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Flint Public Library
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Middleton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Loring and Phipps; Smith and Meany |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000631 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 2002 |
The Charles Flint Public Library is a public library in Middleton, Massachusetts. It's a special building located at 1 South Main Street. The library building has a unique old style called Richardsonian Romanesque. It's the only building of this kind in Middleton! Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
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About the Library Building
The Flint Public Library stands on the west side of South Main Street. This street is also known as Massachusetts Route 114. The building is made of brick and has a strong granite foundation. It has a cool roof made of slate tiles.
Cool Features of the Building
The front of the library has a big entrance in the middle. This entrance is framed with light-colored sandstone. Above the entrance, there's a front-facing gable. A square tower with a pointed roof sticks out from the left side. This tower holds a working clock made by Howard. Most of the library's books are kept in a section that extends from the back of the main building.
History of the Library
Middleton's first collection of books started way back in 1772. It was a private collection that people could borrow from.
How the Public Library Started
In 1879, a man named Charles L. Flint offered to help the town. He was born in Middleton and wanted to create a public library. He gave the town money and a first collection of books. This new collection joined with the older private one. At first, the library was in a room at the town hall.
A New Home for Books
Charles Flint passed away in 1889. He left $10,000 to the town in his will. This money was used to build the library you see today. The building was designed by George Loring and Stanford Phipps. They were famous architects known for designing public buildings. The library was finished in 1891. Even the stained glass windows are special! They were designed by Donald MacDonald, an artist from Glasgow.
