Lewiston Public Library

The Lewiston Public Library is a historic public Carnegie library at Park and Pine Street in Lewiston, Maine.

Lewiston Public Library
LocationLewiston, Maine, United States
TypePublic
Established1902
Collection
Size165,000
Access and use
Circulation200,000
Population served36,592
Other information
Budget$1,284,718
DirectorMarcela Peres
Employees32
Websitehttp://lplonline.org/
Lewiston Public Library
LocationPark and Pine Sts., Lewiston, Maine
Coordinates44.544°N 70.1258°W / 44.544; -70.1258
Built1902
ArchitectCoombs & Gibbs, Greenleaf & Doring
NRHP reference No.78000157[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 31, 1978

History
Old postcard of Lewiston, Maine public library

In 1902 Andrew Carnegie donated $60,000 for a new granite building with the understanding that the city would fund staff, books, and materials.[2] Granite was acquired from North Jay and Norridgewock to be used for the construction. The vestibule was modeled after the Greek design with columns 18 feet high and 25 inches in circumference. Woodwork of fine oak is found on the fireplace mantels and oak pillars. The original library located in Lewiston City Hall was known as the Manufacturers and Mechanics Library. The library was formed on January 26, 1861, and existed until the first Lewiston City Hall burned on January 7, 1890. The current library still has several volumes that have the Manufacturers and Mechanics library stamps in them.[3]

Design

The Colonial Revival library building was constructed in 1902 by Coombs & Gibbs.[4] The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[5]

Expansion
Lewiston Public Library Lisbon Street expansion.

The building was significantly renovated in 1996, including moving the main entrance one block to the west.[6] The Marsden Hartley Cultural Center was opened in 2005[7] and is named for Lewiston's native son Marsden Hartley, a renowned artist/poet.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. "New England Carnegies: Lewiston Public Library".
  3. "Manufacturers and Mechanics Library, Lewiston, ca. 1890".
  4. "Lewiston Public Library - News - Evri". Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  5. "National Register of Historical Places - MAINE (ME), Androscoggin County".
  6. "Library Construction Projects: Maine State Library". Archived from the original on 2012-03-11.
  7. "Trustees Public library Cultural center". Archived from the original on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
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