Lawrence Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lawrence Library
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 33 Lawrence Ave., Fairfield, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architect | William R. Miller |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000322 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
The Lawrence Library is a public library in Fairfield, Maine. You can find it at 33 Lawrence Avenue. This special building was designed by William R. Miller. It was finished in 1901. The library is known for its unique Romanesque Revival style. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical building.
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About the Lawrence Library Building
The Lawrence Library is located on the south side of Lawrence Street. It sits in a quiet neighborhood. The building has a rectangular shape. It is two stories tall. The roof is made of slate. Its walls are built from slate and granite.
Building's Unique Look
The front of the library faces north. It has four main parts. The two outer parts each have three round-arch openings. These arches are made of light granite. Windows are placed inside them.
The main entrance is in the center-left part. It is set within a large round arch. Above the entrance is a gabled section. This section holds three smaller round-arch windows. It also has a granite crest with the year 1900. A panel names the building.
To the right, there is a round tower. It has a roof shaped like a turret. The first floor of the tower has single round-arch windows. The second floor has smaller, paired round-arch windows. Bands of light granite run across the front. These bands make the tall windows stand out.
How the Library Started
Fairfield's library began in 1895. It was started by the local Ladies Book Club. They had 48 books in a local shop. The library quickly grew bigger. This showed that a permanent home was needed.
Edward J. Lawrence owned a local sawmill. He gave $15,000 to build the library. The building was designed by Lewiston architect William R. Miller. It was built between 1900 and 1901. Mrs. L. E. Newhall donated the land. Both Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Newhall also gave money for more books.
Architectural Style
William R. Miller was a well-known architect. He worked across central Maine. His design for the library was inspired by H. H. Richardson. Richardson was famous for his library designs. Miller's design also shows some Beaux Arts features. These features were becoming popular then.
The building has stayed mostly the same since it was built. The first floor still has its original layout. It has a reading room, a place for checking out books, and book stacks. The second level is used for storage.
