New Hampshire State Library - Concord, NH
Posted by: YoSam.
N 43° 12.439 W 071° 32.311
19T E 293782 N 4786966
Site of the Presidential Primary every 4 years.
Waymark Code: WMZZF6
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 01/28/2019
Views: 4
County of district: Merrimack County
Location of district: 20 Park St., Concord
Date entered on NRHP: 1983
"3. NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE LIBRARY. 20 Park Street. (1891-1894, Amos Cutting, architect,
Giles Wheeler, supervising architect).
North of the State House at the northeast corner of Park and North State Streets
is this building, constructed of rock faced red Conway granite from Red Stone,
New Hampshire with smooth faced gray Concord granite trim. The library consists
of two stories and a basement, with a frontage of 141 feet on Park Street and
a depth of 104 feet. Characteristic of late 19th century eclecticism, the
architect has freely combined Renaissance inspired detailing and Richardsonian
derived stone treatment and fenestration. Irregular in plan and massing, the
picturesque quality of this structure was originally heightened by a square
tower with pyramidal roof at the southwest corner, which projected an additional
story until its removal in 1966. Above the basement level is a three foot wide
belt course from which spring giant pilasters with stylized capitals suggestive
of the Corinthian order. Single pilasters frame bays of varying widths and
fenestration while paired pilasters mark a segmental bay at the west, building
angles and support the pediment of the entrance. The building's heavy
denticulated cornice with egg and dart molding is topped by a battlement wall.
Recessed spandrels separate the deepset rectangular, primarily transomed,
windows of the first floor from the second story arched window openings.
Windows vary in size, width and patterns. Many of the first floor windows are
arranged in groups in a ribbon-like fashion, a detail borrowed from Richardson.
At the entrance, located between the piers of the first floor and pilasters of
the second, are polished green Conway granite columns. The carved tympanum
of the pediment depicts the state seal. A one story semicircular bay projects
to the right of the entrance. Built originally to house both the State Library
(in the east part of the building) and the State Supreme Court (west half) , the
Library has been the sole occupant since 1970. Alterations to the building exterior other than the removal of the tower are limited to the enclosure of the original open balcony above the entrance which was converted to office
space in 1937. Renovations in 1937 and 1972 have also altered the interior
which retains its Siena, Verona red and Italian veined marble floor mosaics
and wainscoting. The bronze tablet above the mantel in the entrance hall is
by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Co." ~ NRHP Nomination Form