Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Ames Free Library

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Built
  
1883

Designated CP
  
November 3, 1972

Phone
  
+1 508-238-2000

Architect
  
Henry Hobson Richardson

Designated NHLDCP
  
December 23, 1987

Opened
  
1883

Architectural style
  
Richardsonian Romanesque

Ames Free Library

Location
  
North Easton, Massachusetts

Part of
  
H. H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton (#87002598)

Address
  
53 Main St, North Easton, MA 02356, USA

Hours
  
Open today · 10AM–8PMTuesday10AM–8PMWednesday10AM–8PMThursday10AM–8PMFriday10AM–5PMSaturday10AM–5PMSundayClosedMonday10AM–8PM

Similar
  
Queset House, Oakes Ames Memorial, Children's Museum in Easton, Ames Gate Lodge, Borderland State Park

Profiles

Ames free library addition and renovation


The Ames Free Library is a public library designed by noted American architect H. H. Richardson. It is located at 53 Main Street, Easton, Massachusetts, immediately adjacent to another Richardson building, Oakes Ames Memorial Hall.

Contents

Sharon concert band performs at quest house at ames free library


History

On the death of Oliver Ames, Jr., he left $50,000 for the construction of a library. The will stipulated that it was to be a private institution, not owned by the town, but operated in trust for the public. The request was carried out by Ames' children, Frederick Lothrop Ames and Helen Angier Ames. They hired Henry Hobson Richardson to design the building. The final cost of the building came to at least $80,000.

The library was built from 1877 to 1879, although it did not open until March 10, 1883. It is generally rectangular, with broad gable projecting from its north end and a rectangular tower rising where the gable meets the main mass. The gable's front facade contains a heavily arched entry on the first floor and a row of five arched windows separated by pairs of short columns above. The facade is light-brown Milford granite laid in random ashlar with reddish-brown Longmeadow brownstone trim. Its roof is red-orange tile. A children's wing (red brick) was added in 1931, eliminating the original lavatory and document room.

Within, the library's major rooms, stack wing, hall, and reading room are laid out longitudinally. The reading room's fireplace is primarily by Stanford White, and the stone and bronze medallions of Oliver Ames, Jr. were designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

References

Ames Free Library Wikipedia