Morton Memorial Library (Pine Hill, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Morton Memorial Library
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
East profile and south elevation, 2008
|
|
| Location | Elm St., southwest of NY 28, Pine Hill, NY |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Kingston |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000119 |
| Added to NRHP | 1997 |
The Morton Memorial Library is a special stone building in Pine Hill, New York. It was built a long time ago, in the early 1900s. The library has a unique look, called Georgian Revival style.
This library was named after Dr. Henry Morton. He was a kind person who spent his summers in Pine Hill. He loved to help the community. In 1997, the library was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. It is also part of the Pine Hill Historic District.
What the Library Looks Like
The library sits on a small hill on Elm Street. It's in a quiet neighborhood. Nearby are other historic places. These include District School No. 14 and the Elm Street Stone Arch Bridge. Both are also listed as historic sites.
The library building is made of smooth, light-colored stone. It has a main part and a round section. The roof is red and peaked, like a triangle. It has two small windows sticking out, called dormers. There's also a brick chimney.
At the front entrance, you'll see two tall columns. They support a fancy stone design. This gives the building a grand, old-fashioned look. The main door has three panels and a window above it.
Inside, the main part of the library is one big room. This is where you find the bookshelves and the front desk. There's also a cozy reading room in the round section. A spiral staircase made of iron leads up to the attic. On one wall, there's a special bronze plaque. It tells about the library's dedication.
A Look Back: The Library's History
The library is named after Dr. Henry Morton. He was born in New York City. He first studied law, but then changed to science. He became a chemistry professor. Later, he was the first president of the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
In the 1880s, Dr. Morton bought a summer home in Pine Hill. He loved spending his summers in the Catskills. He helped the local community a lot. He paid for new roads and bridges.
In 1897, he opened the first library in the area. It was called the Birch Creek Club Library. It quickly became very popular. So, Dr. Morton decided to build a brand new, bigger building just for the library.
Sadly, Dr. Morton passed away in 1902. This was just one year before the new library was finished. The Morton Memorial Library has changed a little inside over the years. But it still looks much like it did when it was built. It's a great example of Georgian Revival style in the Catskills.
