Boonton_Holmes_Public_Library

Boonton Public Library

Boonton Public Library

Historic library building in New Jersey, United States

The Boonton Public Library, also known as the Holmes Library, is located at 619 Main Street in the town of Boonton in Morris County, New Jersey. Built c. 1849, the Greek Revival building was purchased by James Holmes in 1856 and became the public library in 1893. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 13, 1972, for its significance in communications, education, and social history.[3] It was added as a contributing property to the Boonton Historic District on September 29, 1980.[4]

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History and description

In 1849, Eliza Ann Scott purchased the lot on the corner of Main and Church streets from the New Jersey Iron Company and soon built a two-story building, which was apparently used for commerce. In 1856, she sold it for $5,000 to James Holmes (1815–1893), who was superintendent of the Taylor & Lord Nail Factory and one of the wealthiest individuals in the community. He then used the building as his residence and c. 1874 added a third story.[5] Upon his death in 1893, the property was bequeathed to the Boonton Public Library Association, along with $8,000 to fund its operation.[3][6] Since the building was larger than the library needed, the extra space was rented to various organizations. In 1895, printing presses for The Boonton Times were installed in the basement.[5] The library has been serving the town since 1894.[7]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "National Register Information System – (#72000804)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. [2]
    "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Morris County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. September 29, 2022. p. 1.
  3. [3]
    Kerschner, Terry (October 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Boonton Public Library". National Park Service. With accompanying two photos
  4. [4]
    Fowler, Alex D. (April 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Boonton Historic District". National Park Service. With accompanying 15 photos
  5. [5]
    Coultas, Jennifer (February 2020). "Boonton Holmes Library". Gem of the Mountains. Boonton Historical Society and Museum. pp. 2–3.
  6. [6]
    "People of the 1890's - 1910's". Town of Boonton, New Jersey.
  7. [7]
    "History of the Library". Boonton Holmes Public Library.
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