Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library

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Built
  
1900

Opened
  
1900

Added to NRHP
  
17 December 1974

NRHP Reference #
  
74000093

Architectural style
  
Neoclassical architecture

Architect
  
Daniel Burnham

Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library

Location
  
711 59th Pl. Kenosha, Wisconsin

Part of
  
Library Park Historic District (#88002657)

Similar
  
Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Burnham Park, Marshall Field and Company, Buckingham Fountain, Santa Fe Building

The Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

History

The Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library was the first public building in the City Park district in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Upon its completion, City Park became known as Library Park. Daniel Burnham designed the Neoclassical library while Ossian Cole Simonds developed the landscaping plan. Former Kenosha mayor Zalmon G. Simmons donated $150,000 for the building's construction on the condition that it be named in honor for his deceased son. The city agreed, and the library opened to the public on May 30, 1900. As the city's first public library building, Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library greatly increased the volumes of literature available to the citizens of Kenosha. By the mid-1910s, the library had 124,368 volumes and sought to expand with a branch library.

The building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1974. When the Library Park Historic District was created in 1988, the library was listed as a contributing property.

References

Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library Wikipedia


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