West End Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West End Library
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15 School St., Farmington, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Tilton, Edward Lippincott; Jones, Richard Fredrick |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000369 |
| Added to NRHP | April 25, 2000 |
The West End Library is a special building in Unionville, Connecticut. It used to be a library, but now it is known as the Unionville Museum. This historic building is located at 15 School Street in the village of Unionville, which is part of Farmington, Connecticut.
The building has a beautiful Renaissance style design. It was created by a famous architect from New York City named Edward Tilton. The library was finished in 1917. A very rich person named Andrew Carnegie helped pay for it. In the year 2000, this important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a significant historical site.
Contents
Discover the Building's Design and Past
The old West End Library is right in the middle of Unionville village. You can find it on the south side of School Street. It is west of Connecticut Route 177. This building has one floor. Its walls are made of brick covered with stucco. It also has a red tile roof.
The front of the building has seven sections. In the middle, there is a special entrance with a pointed roof. The other sections have tall, round-shaped windows. Above these, there are small, rectangular windows. These small windows are just below the roofline. They have a cool diamond pattern.
How the Library Started
The Unionville Library Association began in 1902. At first, their books were kept in a small room. This room was in Farmington's town hall. The town hall was close to where the library building is now. The library quickly grew. More and more people used it. It became clear that a bigger, permanent home was needed.
This building was constructed in 1917. Part of the money came from a grant. Andrew Carnegie, a famous helper of libraries, gave $8,500. Edward Tilton designed the building. His design was a simpler version of the McKim Building in the Boston Public Library.
From Library to Museum
In the 1960s, the library moved its services out of this building. For a while, the town used the building as a senior center. This was a place for older people to gather. Then, in 1984, the building opened as a museum. Today, it is known as the Unionville Museum. It helps people learn about the history of the area.
Explore More History
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hartford County, Connecticut
- List of Carnegie libraries in Connecticut
