Frederic C. Adams Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Frederic C. Adams Public Library
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Location | 33 Summer St., Kingston, Massachusetts |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1898 |
Architect | Joseph Everett Chandler |
Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 01000625 |
Added to NRHP | June 6, 2001 |
The Frederic C. Adams Public Library is a special historic building in Kingston, Massachusetts. It was designed by Joseph Everett Chandler, a famous architect known for the Colonial Revival style. Built in 1898, this beautiful building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. While it's no longer the main public library, it still serves the community in new ways.
Contents
A Look at the Adams Library Building
The Adams Library building is located right in the center of Kingston. It's a one-and-a-half story building made of brick with stone decorations. The roof has a classic pointed shape.
Building Style and Features
The front of the building has five sections, with a fancy trim called a dentillated cornice. There's also a stone line above the windows and main entrance. The entrance itself is grand, with wide side windows and a porch supported by four large columns. The windows are set back a bit and have special stone tops. This style is called Colonial Revival, which means it looks like older American colonial buildings but with a fresh twist.
The Library's Journey Through Time
The idea for a public library in Kingston started way back in 1871. At first, the library's books were kept in a local shop. People began raising money in 1890 to build a proper library building.
Frederic C. Adams's Gift
A man named Frederic C. Adams, who grew up in Kingston, made a very generous gift. When he passed away in 1874, he left $5,000 to the town specifically for building a library. This important donation helped make the dream of a dedicated library building come true. The library was finished in 1898, designed by Joseph Chandler from Plymouth.
Growing Pains and a New Home
As the town of Kingston grew, so did its library collection. An addition was built onto the back of the library in 1965 to make more space. However, even with the addition, the library eventually needed more room. In December 1994, the town opened a brand new Kingston Public Library building across the street.
The Adams Center: A New Purpose
After the library moved out, the historic building was carefully restored. In November 2012, it was rededicated as the Adams Center.
Serving the Community Today
In 2013, a special group called the Adams Center Board of Trustees was created. Their job was to make sure the building was used in the best way for the people of Kingston. The restoration allowed the building to host many cultural events. From 2012 to 2019, it was available for rent for group events, small meetings, and private parties.
Local History and Public Access
In 2019, the Adams Center became part of the Kingston Public Library system. The library moved its important Local History Collections to the Adams Center, where people can now visit them. The main hall upstairs and a small meeting room downstairs are also available for public programs, events, and meetings. You can reserve these spaces through the Kingston Recreation Department.