Friday, March 31, 2023

Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall and Carnegie Library - Greenville, Ohio











In 1980, the library and memorial hall were listed on the National Register of Historic Places for their architectural significance.
Following Henry's St. Clair's death on October 7, 1908, the city benefited greatly from his will — $100,000 was to be given to the city's board of education for the erection and maintenance of an assembly hall for the use of the city schools. Board members soon voted to build this hall adjacent to the Carnegie library. Excavation for the new assembly hall commenced in the spring of 1910, and the cornerstone was laid on June 30. After a long period of construction, the building was dedicated on May 3, 1912 and given the name of "Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall." The finished structure, built of brick and stone in a manner similar to the library, featured a large auditorium and a range of classrooms for the city's students. Howard and Miriam of Columbus, Ohio, were the project architects and E.E. Bope of Columbus was the main contractor. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on November 26, 1980. GPS: 40.09908°N, -84.63330°W.






The Greenville Carnegie Library is a historic library in Greenville, Ohio. In the spring of 1901, the city's board of education petitioned Andrew Carnegie to donate money for the expansion of the library. In response, Carnegie offered $15,000 on the condition that the city pledge $1,500 annually for its support. After the board accepted bids on plans, the members discovered that the desired structure would cost nearly $30,000 and ordered a revision of the plans; however, when this news reached prominent local businessman Henry St. Clair, he requested that the revision be cancelled and pledged sufficient funds for the building as originally planned. St. Clair's wish having been granted, the library's cornerstone was laid on October 30, 1901, and construction was completed on March 19, 1903; the structure had cost $31,177.50. The library was dedicated in March of 1903. Lucy Arnold, the librarian, ceremonially carried in the first book, the Bible. Architect- William Kaufman, Contractor-Howard & Morrison. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on November 26, 1980. GPS: 40.09922°N, -84.63255°W.
 

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