Skowhegan Free Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Skowhegan Free Public Library
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Postcard c. 1930s
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9 Elm St., Skowhegan, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | Edwin E. Lewis |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000473 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 1983 |
The Skowhegan Free Public Library is a public library located in Skowhegan, Maine. You can find it at 9 Elm Street. This library is inside a very old and beautiful brick building. It was designed by an architect named Edwin E. Lewis and finished in 1890. The building is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's an important historical site! The library is managed by the Bloomfield Academy Trustees.
Contents
About the Library Building
The library building sits on the north side of Elm Street. It's just west of where Elm Street meets Madison Avenue. From the library, you can look out over the Kennebec River.
Building Style and Features
The library building is two and a half stories tall and made of brick. It has a unique design called Queen Anne style. This style often has different shapes and parts that don't match perfectly. The main part of the building has a hip roof.
On the front of the building, there's a section that sticks out on the left. It has a pointed roof, like a triangle. On the right side, there's an eight-sided tower that also sticks out. The main entrance to the library is found between these two parts. There's also a section that extends out from the back of the building.
The part with the pointed roof has three windows on both floors. Above these windows, there's a large, round decoration made of terra cotta. The windows on the first floor have curved tops. The entrance is set inside a decorative arch, also made of terra cotta. This arch was once open but is now closed in. The tower on the right has special decorations below its eight-sided roof.
Inside the Library
The inside of the library is very impressive and well-preserved. It has beautiful woodwork and decorative moldings. You can also see lovely stained glass windows. Even the furniture inside was made to match the building's style. There are wooden shelves built right into the walls, reaching from the floor to the ceiling.
How the Library Was Built
The library was built thanks to the hard work and generous gifts of Abner Coburn. He was born in Skowhegan and donated both the land and money for the building. The architect, Edwin E. Lewis, was from Gardiner, Maine. This library building is considered one of the best examples of Queen Anne style in Somerset County, Maine.
