- Converse Memorial Library
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Converse Memorial Library
Converse Memorial Building
Location: 36 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts Coordinates: 42°25′39″N 71°3′59″W / 42.4275°N 71.06639°WCoordinates: 42°25′39″N 71°3′59″W / 42.4275°N 71.06639°W Built: 1885 Architect: H.H. Richardson; Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge Architectural style: Richardson Romanesque Governing body: Private NRHP Reference#: 85002014 Significant dates Added to NRHP: September 05, 1985[1] Designated NHL: December 23, 1987[2] The Converse Memorial Building, also known as Converse Memorial Library, is a public library building designed by noted American architect H. H. Richardson. From 1885 to 1996, when construction of a new library addition was completed, the building was also home to the Malden Public Library. The Converse Memorial Building is located at 36 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts.
The building was a gift of Elisha S. and Mary D. Converse in memory of their murdered son, Frank Eugene Converse who was the victim of the first bank robbery/murder in North America. It was constructed 1883-1885 in an overall L-shape, with a facade of brown Longmeadow sandstone, a tower rising from the L's inner corner, and a heavily arched entry porch set within the L's short arm. The main library room is 50 x 36 feet and finished in elaborately carved white oak with a high, vaulted ceiling. Its furniture was designed by Richardson and manufactured by the Boston firm of Albert H. Davenport Company.
The Converse Memorial Building is the last of Richardson's library designs and generally considered among his finest works. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.[2][3]
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ a b "Converse Memorial Library". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1899&ResourceType=Building. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- ^ Carolyn Pitts (Undated (1987?)). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Converse Memorial Library / Malden Public LibraryPDF (32 KB). National Park Service (includes plans and drawings) and Accompanying six photos, exterior and interior, from 1888, 1895, 1905, 1985PDF (32 KB)
- Jeffrey Karl Ochsner, H. H. Richardson: Complete Architectural Works, MIT Press, 1985, page 314. ISBN 0262650150.
- American Library Association, Annual Conference Proceedings of the American Library Association, 1889, pages 78–79.
- National Historic Landmarks entry
- Digital Archive of American Architecture
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General view from street
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Angle view
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End view
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Facade decorations
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Tower detail
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Columns
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Detail
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Ornament
U.S. National Register of Historic Places Topics Lists by states Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • WyomingLists by territories Lists by associated states Other 
Category:National Register of Historic Places • 
Portal:National Register of Historic PlacesCategories:- Romanesque Revival architecture in Massachusetts
- H. H. Richardson buildings
- National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
- Buildings and structures completed in 1885
- Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
- Libraries in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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