National Register Listing

Lewiston Public Library

Park and Pine Sts., Lewiston, ME

While the architectural merits of the granite building alone make the Lewiston Public Library a worthy nomination, the history of the library is also significant as a reflection of Lewiston's development.

The first library in Lewiston was begun in 1861 by the Manufacturers and Mechanics Library Association. By 1889, it had over 11,300 books. Only one year later fire destroyed the Lewiston City Building where the library was located and left only 670 books in the library collection. Not to be easily defeated, the library reopened in the new City Building in 1892. An interesting combination of types of New England libraries, this collection was created by proprietors, sustained by subscriptions, and located in a space that was the gift of the city.

Also in the 1890's, the DAR had started a book collection and a fund for a free public library building. The DAR books became available to the public in the recital room of the Lewiston Journal in 1899. Through U.S. Senator William Frye, an offer to support the library fund was received from Andrew Carnegie. Mr. Carnegie agreed to donate $30,000 if the city would support the library with $3,000 a year, or he would donate $50,000 if the city would give $5,000 a year. The latter offer was accepted, and a city council commission, created in 1901, took charge of the project. The lot on the corner of Park and Pine Streets was purchased for $9,000, and the Lewiston firm of Coombs and Gibbs was chosen as architects. Another local firm, Greenleaf and Doring, was awarded the building contract at $40,000. Due to delays and unexpected expenses, this sum was not enough to complete the structure, so Sena- tor Frye reluctantly petitioned Carnegie for another contribution. Carnegie obliged the city with an additional gift of $10,000.

The DAR turned its collection of 300 volumes over to the city in February 1903. A board of trustees was formed, with the stipulation that a member of the DAR and a representative of the Manufacturers and Mechanics Library Association would always serve on the board. Miss Josephine Beard was hired as the first librarian in the fall of 1902, and she was in charge of cataloging the new collection. She was, however, discharged when she was married in 1904 as it was curiously deemed inappropriate for a married woman to be a librarian. The $5,000 annually budgeted by the city was not increased until 1920, although long before that it had ceased to cover more than salaries and expenses, leaving little for the purchase of books or improvements.

Since its beginning, the library has served the changing needs of the city of Lewiston. As early as 1904, the obligation to serve the French-speaking population was recognized, and services to that segment of the population subsequently increased. Community programs have included lessons in reference work to high school students, loans to city playgrounds, and work with Americanization classes at the YMCA. In 1940, some badly needed repairs on the building were finally completed. Through the 1960s, interest from the League of Women Voters, Friends of the Library, and concerned librarians has worked to increase and improve the services of the library.

The Lewiston Public Library has its roots, as the city does, in manufacturing. The library grew with the city, and today serves the needs of the French population, the children, researchers, and that part of the public that reads just for recreation. But by no means is the least appreciated aspect of the library the handsome structure that houses the collection and graces the streets of Lewiston.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.