Auburn Public Library
49 Spring St., Auburn, METhe Auburn Public Library is a fascinating architectural statement of great sophistication that sets it apart from the other buildings on Court Street and has firmly established it as a prominent city landmark. It was designed by William R. Miller, a highly creative Portland architect.
Founded in 1890 as a subscription library, it received $1,000.00 from the City of Auburn in 1895 upon the condition that it become a free library to all Auburn citizens. Early in 1903, the city council agreed to accept $25,000.00 from Andrew Carnegie for a new library building on the condition that the city provides the lot and agree to provide funds for the support of the library.
William R. Miller designed many important buildings in Maine including the Lawrence Library in Fairfield and the L. C. Bates Museum at the Hinckley School, both of which are listed on the National Register.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.