Ogunquit Memorial Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ogunquit Memorial Library
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 166 Shore Rd., Ogunquit, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | John M. Burns Jr., Henry A. Macomb |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003706 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1983 |
The Ogunquit Memorial Library is a public library located in Ogunquit, Maine. It's a very special place, not just for its books, but also for its amazing architecture. The building was constructed in 1897 and has a unique style called Romanesque Revival. Because of its historical and architectural importance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This beautiful library was a gift to the town from Mrs. George Conarroe, who wanted to honor her husband.
Contents
A Special Building: Architecture and History
The Ogunquit Memorial Library stands on the west side of Shore Road in the center of Ogunquit. This area is known for its many places where people can stay when they visit the seaside.
What Does It Look Like?
The library building is shaped like a rectangle. It is built from many different kinds of fieldstone, which are stones found in fields. These stones are placed together in a random pattern. The roof is shaped like a hip roof, which means all sides slope downwards to the walls.
A special part of the building is its entrance. It sticks out from the main building and has a pointed roof, called a gable. Right next to the entrance, there's a round tower that holds a circular staircase. This tower has a cool, cone-shaped roof on top. You might also notice some small, curved windows that pop out from the roof; these are called eyebrow dormers.
Inside the Library
When you go inside, you'll see that many of the original parts of the building are still there. For example, there's a large fireplace. When the library first opened, this fireplace was the only way to keep the building warm!
Who Built It?
The library was built in 1897. The first design was created by an architect from Philadelphia named John M. Burns. This building is a great example of a style called Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, which is quite rare in southern Maine.
Later, in 1914, the library needed more space. Another architect from Philadelphia, Henry A. Macomb, designed an addition to the building. He did such a good job that it's very hard to tell where the old building ends and the new part begins! The whole library was a generous gift from Mrs. George Conarroe, who lived in Philadelphia, to remember her husband.
