Kimball Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Kimball Public Library
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 67 Main St., Randolph, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Francis, H.M., & Sons |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000568 |
| Added to NRHP | March 14, 1985 |
The Kimball Public Library is a special place in Randolph, Vermont. It's the main library for the town and is located at 67 Main Street. This beautiful building was a gift from Colonel Robert Kimball, who grew up in Randolph. It was built in 1902 and is considered so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Contents
About the Kimball Public Library
The Kimball Public Library is found just north of Randolph's main downtown area. It sits on the east side of Main Street, right next to the Chandler Music Hall. This library is a single-story building made of stone and brick. It has a basement that shows at the back because of the sloping ground.
Building Design and Materials
The library's foundation is made of rough-cut granite. The main part of the building is covered in brick with smooth sandstone decorations. The roof is shaped like a gable, which means it has two sloping sides that meet at a ridge. In the very center of the roof, there is a dome.
The front of the building is perfectly balanced on both sides. A tall section sticks out in the middle, with a pointed gable roof. This part covers the main entrance, which is a large, rounded arch, like those seen in Romanesque architecture. On either side of this central entrance, there are groups of three windows. Each window has a colorful stained-glass window above it.
Inside the Library
When you go inside the Kimball Public Library, you can still see many of its original features. The building has beautiful wooden details and exposed brick walls. The lower parts of the walls are covered with shiny marble. The floors are made of terrazzo marble, which is a mix of marble chips and cement. There are also fancy molded decorations on the ceilings and walls.
History of the Library
The money to build this library came from Colonel Robert Kimball. He was born and grew up in Randolph. Later, he became a very successful banker in New York City. Colonel Kimball always kept a summer home in Randolph. Like many generous people of his time, he saw that the town needed a proper place for its library books.
So, he agreed to pay for the building's construction. The town provided the land for the library. The building was designed by a company called H.M. Francis and Sons, from Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The Kimball Public Library was finished in 1902 and has been serving the community ever since.
