Levi Heywood Memorial Library Building facts for kids

Levi Heywood Memorial Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
2013
Location	28 Pearl St., Gardner, Massachusetts
Area	less than one acre
Built	1885 (1885)
Architect	Fuller & Delano
Architectural style	Queen Anne; Romanesque
Part of	Gardner Uptown Historic District (ID99000660)
NRHP reference No.	79000374
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 6, 1979
Designated CP	June 3, 1999

The Levi Heywood Memorial Library Building is a very old and beautiful building located at 28 Pearl Street in Gardner, Massachusetts. It was finished in 1886 and is known for its special design, called Richardsonian Romanesque. This building was a gift to honor Levi Heywood, who was important in Gardner's chair-making business.

For many years, it was used as the city's main library, until 1978. Today, it is home to a museum that shares the history of Gardner. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It also became part of the Gardner Uptown Historic District in 1999.

About the Building

The Levi Heywood Memorial Library Building stands among other important buildings in Gardner's historic center. You can find it on the south side of Pearl Street, just east of the main downtown area.

Building Design

This building is one and a half stories tall. It is made from red bricks with special brownstone and terra cotta decorations. The roof is covered with slate tiles. One side of the main roof has a pointed gable. The other side has a round bay with its own hip roof.

A large, gabled section sticks out from the front of the building. An arched porch covers the main entrance. The windows are set in round-shaped openings. These openings have brownstone trim around them. You can also see terra cotta panels decorating parts of the front.

History of the Library

Gardner's first library started in 1841. However, it did not have its own building for a long time. This special building was constructed between 1885 and 1886. It was designed by Fuller & Delano, a well-known architecture company from Worcester.

Who Was Levi Heywood?

The building was named after Levi Heywood. He was the grandson of one of Gardner's first settlers. Levi Heywood played a big role in the growth of the chair-making industry. This industry became very important to Gardner's economy.

Library Funding and Use

The library's operations were first paid for by money given by the Heywood family. Over time, the city of Gardner began to help fund it. The building served as the city's public library until 1978. A new library facility opened on West Lynde Street in 1998. The original building now houses the local history museum.

See also

• Levi Heywood Memorial Library, now located at 55 West Lynde St., Gardner, MA
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Worcester County, Massachusetts