Gordon-Nash Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Gordon-Nash Library
|
|
 |
|
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Main St., New Hampton, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.1 acres (0.45 ha) |
| Built | 1895 |
| Architect | Fuller & Delano; Gardner Cook & Son |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001437 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 1988 |
The Gordon-Nash Library is a special library in New Hampton, New Hampshire. It is located at 69 Main Street. This library is unique because it is a private non-profit library. This means it is not run by the government. However, it is open to everyone in New Hampton. It serves as the town's public library.
The library started in 1887. Its building was finished in 1895. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
About the Gordon-Nash Library Building
The Gordon-Nash Library is in the center of New Hampton village. It is across from the New Hampton School. The building you see today has the original 1895 structure. It also has several newer parts added to the back.
Building Design and Materials
The original part of the library is a single-story building. It is made of gold-colored bricks. The roof is a hip roof, which slopes on all sides. The front of the building has three main parts. The middle part sticks out and also has a hip roof.
The main entrance is in the center. It has a rounded archway. This arch is surrounded by brownstone. It includes decorative columns called pilasters. Above the arch is a special block called a keystone.
The left side of the front has three large windows. These are called sash windows. They share a brownstone lintel above them. Above these, there are smaller windows that look like transoms. The right side of the building only has square windows in these upper positions.
History of the Library
The idea for the Gordon-Nash Library began in 1887. It was started by Stephen Gordon Nash. His childhood home had once been a private library. That older library was founded in 1818.
Stephen Gordon Nash bought land for the new library building. However, he passed away in 1894 before it was built. In his will, he left $10,000 to build the library. He also left money to help pay for its upkeep.
The building was built in 1895. It was designed by James E. Fuller. He was an architect from Fuller & Delano in Worcester, Massachusetts. This library was the first building built specifically as a library in Belknap County.
