Hunt Memorial Library
The Hunt Memorial Library, also known as the John M. Hunt Memorial Building, is a historic former library building at 6 Main Street in downtown Nashua, New Hampshire. Built in 1903, it is a significant early work of the renowned Gothic Revival architect Ralph Adams Cram, then in partnership with Goodhue and Ferguson. The Nashua Public Library moved to a new building in 1971. The building is owned by the city and is available for rent for functions.[2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1]
Hunt Memorial Library | |
 | |
   | |
| Location | 6 Main St., Nashua, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°45′55″N 71°28′3″W |
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Built by | Nashua Building Co. |
| Architect | Cram & Associates |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Nashville Historic District (ID84000574) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000049[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 28, 1971 |
| Designated CP | December 13, 1984 |
Description and history
The Hunt Memorial Building is located at the northern end of downtown Nashua, at the southeast corner of Main and Lowell Streets. It is a multi-level structure built of brick laid in Flemish bond, with limestone trim. Its three-story square tower is an imposing presence at the upper end of Main Street, with a staircase turret projecting from one corner. The tower has buttressed corners and large Gothic-arched windows, and houses a four-face clock in its upper level. It is topped by a crenellated parapet. The main entrance is located at the base of the tower, in a Gothic-arched opening with heavy oaken double doors with book-leaf panels.[3]
The building was constructed in 1903, and is an early work of architect Ralph Adams Cram, then early in a distinguished career. Cram was a native of New Hampshire, and was during his career a major proponent of renewed interest in Gothic Revival architecture. The Hunt Building includes good examples of the architectural vocabulary Cram developed for this role.[3] It was used as a library until 1971.
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- "The Hunt Building". Nashualibrary.org. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- "NRHP nomination for Hunt Memorial Library". National Park Service. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
