Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library

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Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
The Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
Roswell P Flower Memorial.jpg
Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library, 2018
TypePublic library
EstablishedJanuary 4, 1905; 117 years ago (1905-01-04)
ArchitectOrchard, Lansing & Joralemon (A. F. Lansing)
Coordinates43°58′23″N 75°54′37″W / 43.97297584524485°N 75.91039932694189°W / 43.97297584524485; -75.91039932694189
Access and use
Population served24,685
Other information
DirectorYvonne Reff
Websiteflowermemoriallibrary.org
Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library is located in New York
Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
Location229 Washington St., Watertown, New York
Arealess than one acre
Architectural styleLate 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Restored2007
Restored byBCA Architects & Engineers
NRHP reference No.80002628[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 10, 1980
Map

Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library is a historic library building located in Watertown in Jefferson County, New York. Built in 1903-04, it was donated to the city by Emma Flower Taylor as a memorial to her father, Watertown's most prominent son, Roswell P. Flower (1835–1899), the 30th Governor of New York.[2] As of 2022, the library has more than 113,692 Books, DVDs, videos, audio books and large print, circulating on average 143,009 items per year.[3] It also contains computers available for public use. A Genealogy department, local history collection and meeting rooms are also inside the building.[4] The Library serves as the primary library in Watertown and surrounding communities as a center for reading, culture and research. [5] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]

History[]

Founding[]

Postcard c. 1907
Postcard c. 1929

The Flower Library was not the first library in Watertown. The Watertown Social Library was created in 1805 and the Watertown Franklin Library stopped functioning in 1834. The Young Men’s Association had a library collection, but it was lost to a fire in 1849. In 1890 Watertown had three libraries. These were located in the Watertown High School, St. Joachim’s Academy, and the Young Men’s Christian Association. [6] Around 1890 Watertown citizens began discussing a public library and applied to the Carnegie Corporation for funding. Living in New York City at the time, Emma Flower Taylor discovered the citizens' wish for a new library. In 1901 she offered to donate the land and fund the building of the library in memory of her father, Roswell P. Flower. On April 8, 1901, her proposal was accepted. The first cornerstone was laid on July 11, 1903 and the library was completed and formally presented to the public on November 10, 1904. The library officially opened on January 4, 1905.[7][8] The cost of the entire project was $250,000. The library was considered a triumph for Jefferson County as can be seen from this statement from the dedication, “The Flower Memorial Library is unique in that every embellishment is a record of something of importance to Jefferson County. It was a daring thought of the designer to establish such restrictions for artistic inspiration, but the result justifies the idea.” The library became known as “the most beautiful small library in the United States.” [6]

Friends of the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library[]

The Friends of the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the resources of the library, founded in 1954. The organization organizes fundraising events, including an annual book sale. Proceeds from events and other fundraising activities provide gifts and endowments to the library, helping to make possible critical improvements and to enhance offerings for patrons.[9]

Modern Day[]

In October 2019 expansion began on the children's room, which added a puppet theater, a costume area, a computer room, and an audio center for listening to audiobooks. For the 100th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Watertown, the club donated fifteen thousand dollars (USD) to help fund the expansion. [10]

Architecture[]

Built in the Grecian style with some Roman features, the library is a two-story, brick, rectangular building faced in marble with a centrally placed octagonal dome.[11] The dome creates a three-story octagonal rotunda, which is the principal interior feature. The main rotunda features bronze zodiac signs inlaid in the marble floor. These signs were done by James C. Kindlund. On the dome above there are four figures representing History, Romance, Religion and Science. These are interspersed with more figures personifying Fable, Drama, Lyric and Epic Poetry. Each of the figures has the names of two famous individuals who embody that field of knowledge. Fable is surrounded by La Fontaine and Aesop, Religion has St. John and Moses, Lyric has Milton and Virgil, Epic Poetry has Homer and Dante, Science has Darwin and Newton, Drama has Shakespeare and Moliere and Romance has Scott and Dumas. The inscription on the frieze under the dome states “To know wisdom and instruction: to perceive the words of understanding.” [12] As you enter the library from the front, the words "Salve," Latin for "Welcome" and "Vale," Latin for "Farewell," are inscribed into the marble floor. To the right and left of the rotunda on the first floor are two large reading rooms, as well as two exhibition areas. These display areas showcase antiques featuring local author Marietta Holley, as well as items relating to the French emigres who once lived in the north country. [12] The architects hired for the building were Orchard, Lansing & Joralemon of Niagara Falls, and supervising architect, Mr. A. F. Lansing. The artist architect was Mr. Charles Rollinson Lamb and the interior decorators were J & R Lamb. [13] One of the unique components of the original library was it’s separate Children’s Room which was set away from the adult areas and was donated by Mrs. Taylor as a way to commemorate her eldest son who died in infancy. [12] In 1976 a new addition was added to the building expanding the library. The [6] In 2007 extensive renovation work was done to both the addition and the original part of the library. [14]

Lions[]

Image of the left Lion at the main entrance

One of the most prominent details of the library are the two stone lions in front of the library. The lions are not original to the building, they were added in June 1905. The Watertown Herald reported that “The new Flower Library is being further beautified by Mrs. J. B. Taylor. At each side of the front doors and on the front steps, bronze lamps will be placed, while two marble lions will guard the entrance.”[15] The two stone lions came from Italy on the order of Emma Flower Taylor. The lions have needed a few repairs. The lion was first damaged in 1925 by a falling maple tree. In 1909, One of the lions had a tooth broken off and it was jokingly reported that “the big beast never winced when dentist W. W. Puffer did the job.” In 1982, a lion lost his tail. This time, the lion lost his tail when a 12 year old boy leaned against the lion. The tail fell onto the library steps and broke into several pieces.[16]




Gallery[]

  • Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library dome murals

  • Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library Oculus

  • Bust of Roswell P. Flower located inside the Library

References[]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Jane K. Schweizer (June 1979). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2009-12-10. See also: "Accompanying seven photos". Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  3. ^ "Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library -- Watertown, NY". librarytechnology.org. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  4. ^ "Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library". Visit 1000 Islands. 2013-12-02. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  5. ^ "Flower Memorial Library: About Us: Trustees". Flower Memorial Library.org. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Flower Memorial Library". City of Watertown, NY. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "Flower Memorial Library Tour Brochure" (PDF): 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ "Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library | New York Heritage". nyheritage.org. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  9. ^ "About". Friends of RPFML. Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
  10. ^ BURTrburt@wdt.net, RACHEL. "Flower Memorial Library receives donation from Kiwanis, plans new children's rooms". NNY360. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  11. ^ "Arrive Downtown Watertown NY 13601 - Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library". arrivedowntown.com. Archived from the original on 2021-03-06. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  12. ^ a b c "Artwork at Flower Library" (PDF). Flower Memorial Library.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "An Illustrated Souvenir of the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library Watertown New York, Hungerford-Holbrook Co" (PDF). Flower Memorial Library.org. 1904. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library, Watertown, NY". BCA Architects & Engineers. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  15. ^ "Library Tour Guide" (PDF). Flower Memorial Library. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Library Lions and Building Style – Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library". Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-28.

External links[]

Media related to Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library at Wikimedia Commons

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