Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Architecture commission for an unknown client at 663 Waterford Road in Waterford, ME, 1930–1937. The commission is associated with John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens Architects. This item is part of the Stevens Architects drawings and records collection.
Prior to 1899, the Ladies Sewing Circle of Waterford carried on a lending library at the Knight store, run by Sarah and Carrie Knight. In 1899, the Circle incorporated as the Ladies Library Association of Waterford, electing Sarah Knight as its first librarian. Three years later, Mrs. Florence Rounds was elected assistant librarian. Interest in the library grew and more room was needed for books. The Knight sisters began construction of a stone building on the front of their lot, but both died only a few weeks apart in August 1911. In 1912 the old association turned its property over to the newly formed Waterford Library Association. Mrs. Rounds was chosen as new librarian and she appointed Miss Charlotte Morse (Fillebrown) as assistant librarian.
On Oct. 1, 1937 a fire destroyed the Knight Store, parts of the library, and other nearby buildings. In early 1938, the library's second floor was renovated in the new Dutch Colonial style. The association received the deed to the land where the store had been, a gift from Albert Rice, Mabel Gage and Dr. Bishop. That land now houses the Rice Museum, was moved from Rice Hill to the site in 1978.
In South Waterford, the Bear Mountain Library Association was started in 1928, along with the Community Club, which supported the library for 48 years. The Library was located on the first floor of the home of Flora Hamlin Abbott, a great benefactor of the library along with her sister, Alice Hamlin Warren. On September 30, 1994, the Bear Mountain Library merged with the Waterford Library in the Flat. The consolidation leaves the town with one library serving all Waterford residents.
The library is an Arts & Crafts / Colonial Revival style building designed by noted Portland architect John Calvin Stevens and his son John Howard Stevens. This firm was also responsible for rebuilding the second story after the 1937 fire. The library is part of the Waterford Flat Historic District.
https://waterfordmainelibrary.org/
https://webgen1files.revize.com/waterfordme/65.pdf
About This Item
- Title: Waterford Library, Waterford, 1937
- Address: 663 Waterford Road, Waterford, Oxford County, ME
- Creation Date: 1930–1937
- Subject Date: 1930–1937
- Primary Architects: John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens Architects
- Object Type: Text and Image
- Subtype: architectural drawing
- Media/Genre: alterations; architectural elements; correspondence; cross sections; elevations; floor plans; presentation drawings; sketches; specifications
- Materials: blueprints; graphite on tracing paper; hand coloring; ink on paper; photocopies
- Local Code: Coll. 209, 4-E-6
- Collection: Stevens Architects drawings and records collection
- Number of items in commission: 31
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Architectural drawing
- Libraries--Maine--Waterford
- Public libraries--Maine--Waterford
- Waterford Library (Waterford, Me.)
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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