Converse Memorial Library

Converse Memorial Library
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Converse Memorial Building
Location:	36 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts
Coordinates:	42°25′39″N 71°3′59″W / 42.4275°N 71.06639°W / 42.4275; -71.06639Coordinates: 42°25′39″N 71°3′59″W / 42.4275°N 71.06639°W / 42.4275; -71.06639
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

1. ^ "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. 
2. ^ ^{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. 
3. ^ 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