Minot–Sleeper Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Minot–Sleeper Library
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The library building c. 1910
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 35 Pleasant St., Bristol, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | Hutchinson, Ebenezer B. |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001434 |
| Added to NRHP | September 15, 1988 |
The Minot–Sleeper Library is a special public library in Bristol, New Hampshire. You can find it at 35 Pleasant Street. This library is inside an old brick building from 1885. This building is so important it's even on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the very first library in New Hampshire's Lakes Region to have its own building built just for it! Today, the library lets you borrow books and movies. It also has free Wi-Fi, computers you can use, and lots of fun activities.
The Library Building: Past and Present
The Minot–Sleeper Library is right in the middle of Bristol. It's a single-story building made of red bricks. It has a sloped roof made of slate and pretty granite decorations. The building looks like it's from the late Victorian era. It has cool features like windows shaped with pointed arches and fancy wooden designs on the roof.
Inside, the main floor still looks much like it did when it was first built. The basement was updated in the 1970s to make more space. Later, in 2012 and 2013, a big new part was added. This new section was designed to match the old building's style perfectly.
How the Library Started
Bristol's first library began way back in 1823. It was a private library, which meant you had to pay a fee to use it. The town tried to start a public library in 1868. But this idea didn't last long, and the books were sold off in 1872.
Then, in 1883, two important people from Bristol stepped in. They were Judge Josiah Minot and Colonel Solomon Sleeper. They offered the town land and money to build a new library. They also promised to help buy books for the collection. The town gladly accepted their generous offer. The library building was finished in 1885. It was designed and built by a local person named Ebenezer Hutchinson.
