The Boonton Public Library, also known as the Holmes Library, is located at 619 Main Street in the town of
Boonton
Boonton is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 8,815, an increase of 468 (+5.6%) from the 2010 census count of 8,347, which in turn reflected a decline of 149 (− ...
in
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a County (United States), county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the county's population was enumerated at 509,285, . Built , the
Greek Revival
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement which began in the middle of the 18th century but which particularly flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in northern Europe and the United States and Canada, but ...
building was purchased by James Holmes in 1856 and became the public library in 1893. It was added to the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
on November 13, 1972, for its significance in communications, education, and social history.
[ With ] It was added as a
contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing property or contributing resource is any building, object, or structure which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic distri ...
to the
Boonton Historic District on September 29, 1980.
[ With ]
History and description
In 1849, Eliza Ann Scott purchased the lot on the corner of Main and Church streets from the
New Jersey Iron Company and soon built a two-story building, which was apparently used for commerce. In 1856, she sold it for $5,000 to James Holmes (1815–1893), who was superintendent of the Taylor & Lord Nail Factory and one of the wealthiest individuals in the community. He then used the building as his residence and added a third story.
Upon his death in 1893, the property was bequeathed to the Boonton Public Library Association, along with $8,000 to fund its operation.
Since the building was larger than the library needed, the extra space was rented to various organizations. In 1895, printing presses for ''The Boonton Times'' were installed in the basement.
The library has been serving the town since 1894.
See also
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References
External links
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{{NRHP in Morris County, New Jersey
Boonton, New Jersey
National Register of Historic Places in Morris County, New Jersey
Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey
Historic district contributing properties in New Jersey
Historic district contributing properties in Morris County, New Jersey
Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in New Jersey
Greek Revival architecture in New Jersey
Buildings and structures completed in 1849
Buildings and structures in Morris County, New Jersey
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Public libraries in New Jersey
Library buildings completed in 1893