Adrian Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Adrian Public Library is a historic structure located at 110 East Church Street in downtown Adrian
, Michigan
. Originally used as a library
, it was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
on December 14, 1976 and later listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on December 6, 1977. It is located within the Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District
and next door to the Adrian Engine House No. 1
.
The building is 2½ stories and built with a mix of Mission Revival Style
, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Richardsonian Romanesque
architecture. Illinois architect Paul O. Moratz designed the library, and it was completed by local contractor C. F. Matthes. Throughout its years as a public library, it also served as an art gallery and lecture auditorium.
Although the library branch dates back to 1868, its first independent library structure was completed in 1909 with a $27,500 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Library Fund
in addition to $5,000 donated by the city. It was formally dedicated and opened on February 5, 1909 and was used as a school district library until it transferred ownership to the city in 1915. When the building itself became insufficient, a new location at 143 East Maumee Street opened on June 12, 1978 and remains in operation. The old location passed through several owners before being given back to the city. Today, the building houses the Lenawee County Historical Museum.
Adrian, Michigan
As of the 2010 census Adrian had a population of 21,133. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 84.1% white, 4.4% black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 5.9% from some other race and 4.0% from two or more races...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Originally used as a library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, it was designated as a Michigan Historic Site
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
on December 14, 1976 and later listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on December 6, 1977. It is located within the Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District
Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District
The Downtown Adrian Commercial Historic District is a historic district comprising the downtown area of Adrian, Michigan. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site and added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 1986....
and next door to the Adrian Engine House No. 1
Adrian Engine House No. 1
The Adrian Engine House No. 1 is a historic fire station located at 126 East Church Street in downtown Adrian, Michigan. It was designated as a Michigan Historic Site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 1989...
.
The building is 2½ stories and built with a mix of Mission Revival Style
Mission Revival Style architecture
The Mission Revival Style was an architectural movement that began in the late 19th century for a colonial style's revivalism and reinterpretation, which drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions in California....
, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
architecture. Illinois architect Paul O. Moratz designed the library, and it was completed by local contractor C. F. Matthes. Throughout its years as a public library, it also served as an art gallery and lecture auditorium.
Although the library branch dates back to 1868, its first independent library structure was completed in 1909 with a $27,500 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Library Fund
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
in addition to $5,000 donated by the city. It was formally dedicated and opened on February 5, 1909 and was used as a school district library until it transferred ownership to the city in 1915. When the building itself became insufficient, a new location at 143 East Maumee Street opened on June 12, 1978 and remains in operation. The old location passed through several owners before being given back to the city. Today, the building houses the Lenawee County Historical Museum.