Millicent Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Millicent Library
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| Location | 45 Center St Fairhaven, Massachusetts |
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| Architect | Charles Brigham |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001051 |
| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1986 |
The Millicent Library in Fairhaven, Massachusetts is a beautiful and historic building. It was a special gift to the town from the family of Millicent Gifford Rogers. Millicent was the youngest daughter of Henry Huttleston Rogers, a very successful businessman. Sadly, Millicent passed away in 1890 when she was just seventeen years old.
The library was officially opened on January 30, 1893. It was designed by Charles Brigham in a style called Richardsonian Romanesque. This style often uses heavy stone and rounded arches.
The Millicent Library Story
Who Was Millicent Rogers?
Millicent Gifford Rogers and her family lived in New York City. Her father was an important person in the Standard Oil Trust. But Millicent and her siblings loved to spend holidays and weekends in Fairhaven. Both of her parents were from Fairhaven. They enjoyed many happy times there with their relatives and friends. They especially loved visiting their grandparents.
Millicent, often called Millie, really enjoyed sketching and reading. She once said during a visit to Fairhaven, "I wish we had a good library!" When she died at such a young age, her family was very sad. They wanted to find a special way to remember her short life. Because she loved to read, especially poetry, the Rogers family decided to build a library. They named it after her and gave it to the town of Fairhaven.
Building a Dream Library
In the same year Millicent passed away, land was bought for the library. Plans began to build a unique and grand tribute to the arts in Fairhaven. This would be the wonderful Millicent Library.
The first stone of the building was laid in September 1891. It was a quiet morning ceremony. Only the family and their clergyman, Rev. J.M. Leighton, were there. After a prayer, Millie's younger brother, Harry, placed the cornerstone. Inside this stone, they put a sketch of Millicent. They also included a tracing of the Rogers family history. A copy of the Fairhaven Star newspaper with a picture of the planned building was also placed inside.
The Millicent Library has a special stained-glass window. It is a memorial to the young girl who wished for a good library. The library describes this window like this:
- "In the Library, just to the left of the main entrance, is a stunning stained-glass window made by Clayton and Bell of London. In the central panel is the figure of Erato, the Muse of Poetry, and her features bear a striking resemblance to those of the girl to whose memory the library was erected."
The famous writer Mark Twain visited the library. He praised it, calling it "ideal."
