Vinalhaven Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Vinalhaven Public Library
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 Location in Maine
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| Location | 6 Carver St., Vinalhaven, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1906 |
| Architect | Clough & Wardner |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| MPS | Maine Public Libraries MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 88003014 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1989 |
The Vinalhaven Public Library is a special building that serves as the main library for the island community of Vinalhaven, Maine. You can find it at 6 Carver Street, right in the heart of downtown Vinalhaven. This unique building was constructed in 1906 with help from a famous businessman named Andrew Carnegie. It's also known for its interesting design style, called Prairie School architecture. Because of its importance, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
A Look at the Library's Design
The Vinalhaven Public Library is located near the eastern side of Vinalhaven's main downtown area. It sits where Carver, Chestnut, and Main Streets meet. The building has one story and is made from rough-cut granite stones. Its roof is shaped like a hip roof, which means all sides slope down to the walls.
The roof has wide edges that stick out, showing the wooden beams underneath. A chimney rises up near the left side of the building. The main entrance is in the middle of the front, facing Carver Street. It's set back a bit under a round arch. This entrance area sticks out slightly and has a flat top.
Below a narrow band of square windows on each side of the entrance, there's a high stone line called a stringcourse. Inside the library, you'll find the librarian's desk in the center. Reading rooms are on either side of this desk. The original wooden shelves are still on the walls, holding many books.
How the Library Started
The idea for a public library in Vinalhaven began in 1887. At that time, Governor Joseph R. Bodwell owned one of the granite quarries on Vinalhaven island. He promised to provide a space for a library if people could raise money to start one.
A private library, where people could borrow books, was added to this early collection in 1890. By 1895, this library was set up in Vinalhaven's Memorial Hall. The building you see today was built in 1906. Part of the money for its construction came from a grant by Andrew Carnegie. He was a very wealthy person who helped build many libraries across the United States.
The library was designed by the architectural firm of George A. Clough and Herbert L. Wardner. It is the only library in Maine designed in the Prairie School style. This style of architecture is known for its strong horizontal lines and open spaces, often blending with the landscape.
