Sorrento Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Sorrento Library
|
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Waukeag Ave. S side, 0.5 mi. W of jct. with ME 185, Sorrento, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Ball & Dabney |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000724 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1995 |
The Sorrento Library is found on Waukeag Avenue in the summer town of Sorrento, Maine. It is in a special building that looks like old American homes. This building was designed by Ball and Dabney and built in 1892-93. It is used as both a library and a place for the community to meet.
This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This list helps protect important buildings in the United States.
Contents
About the Sorrento Library Building
The Sorrento Library is located on the south side of Waukeag Avenue. It is about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) west of where it meets Maine State Route 185. The building is made of wood and has one and a half stories.
Building Design and Features
The library has a sloped roof and its outside walls are covered with wooden shingles. It sits on a strong foundation made of granite stone. The front of the building faces north and has a special covered entrance. This entrance is called a porte-cochere and protects people from the weather.
There is also a porch with arches that goes all the way across the front. It wraps around the sides of the building too. The roof has three windows that stick out, called dormers. The middle dormer is the largest and has three wide windows. The center window has a half-round window above it.
Inside the Library
Inside, the main floor has two large areas. A big stone fireplace separates these two spaces. The first area you see when you walk in is bigger. It has a balcony above it, which you can reach by stairs near the entrance. The area at the back was once a reading room. Now, it has been changed into an apartment.
History of Sorrento and the Library
The town of Sorrento started to grow in the 1880s. Business people wanted to make money from the area's popularity. Nearby Bar Harbor was already a very popular summer spot.
Early Development of Sorrento
By the early 1890s, a hotel and many fancy summer "cottages" were built in Sorrento. Frank Jones helped arrange train and boat service to the area. He was the president of the Boston and Maine Railroad and a big investor in Sorrento.
Jones likely helped Sorrento become its own town in 1895. Before that, it was part of Sullivan. His wife gave the money to build the library. The Boston firm of Ball and Dabney designed the building. It was finished in 1893.
Library Ownership and Management
Even though the library was open to everyone, it belonged to the Jones family until 1918. Then, they gave it to the Sorrento Village Improvement Association. This group has been taking care of the building ever since. In the 1930s, some posts were removed from the main hall inside. This made more space for dances and other events.
