West Gouldsboro Village Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Gouldsboro Village Library
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | ME 186, E side, between Jones Cove and Jones Pond, West Gouldsboro, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Frederick Lincoln Savage |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| MPS | Maine Public Libraries MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001512 |
| Added to NRHP | October 23, 1991 |
The West Gouldsboro Village Library is a special old building in Gouldsboro, Maine. It was once a library where people could borrow books. This building was designed by a famous architect named Fred L. Savage. It was built way back in 1907.
What makes it extra special? It's one of the very few libraries in Maine built in the unique Tudor Revival style. The building served as a library for many years. It was open from 1907 to 1956. Then it reopened for a while starting in 1990. Today, the town's library services are at the Dorcas Library in Prospect Harbor. Because of its history and unique style, this building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The old library building is located on the east side of Maine State Route 186. It's right next to the West Gouldsboro Union Church. It's a small, one-story building with a cool Tudor Revival design.
- It has a tall foundation made of fieldstone.
- The outside walls are covered in stucco.
- The roof slopes down on the sides, with chimneys on each end.
- A part of the roof sticks out a bit in the front, making a small gable.
Special Entrance and Windows
The front door is special. It has narrow windows on both sides with diamond-shaped glass panes. Below these windows, there's wood paneling that matches the door. An arched hood covers the entrance. Above this, the gable has a half-timbered look, which is typical for Tudor style.
On each side of the entrance, there are three casement windows. These windows open outwards and have small square glass panes.
Inside the Library
Inside, the building is one big room. On each side, there are fireplaces that stick out from the wall. Next to these fireplaces, you can see special spaces (called niches) that hold the original bookcases. The ceiling is curved and smooth, made of plaster. It also has a fancy plaster frame around its edges.
How the Library Started
The idea for building this library began around 1904. It's believed the minister of the church next door first suggested it. Soon after, a group called a "social library society" was formed. They worked together to make the library happen.
In 1905, they bought the land for the building. The committee chose Fred L. Savage, a well-known architect from Bar Harbor, Maine, to design it. The library building was officially opened in 1907. It served the community until 1956. After that, a group called the West Gouldsboro Village Improvement Association took care of the building. The library reopened in 1990 for a short time, but it has since closed its doors.
