Cooper Library in Johnson Park is located in the Cooper Grant section of Camden, Camden County,

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, United States. It was built in 1916 and was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

on March 11, 1980, for its significance in architecture, art, education, and sculpture. With It is part of Rutgers University–Camden.

History and description

The mosaic frieze entitled ''America Receiving the Gifts of Nations'' which adorns the front of the building was designed by D'Ascenzo Studios of Philadelphia. Johnson's park encompasses the Cooper Library, formally known as the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, and marks the site of the Cooper's Ferry company. Cooper's Ferry was licensed in 1688 and helped in transporting products between Camden and Philadelphia. The area was a major point of transportation for the British and the Hessians during the

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, due to their capture of

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in September 1777. Later it would serve as a terminal for stage coaches and a rail road terminal from 1834 to 1854 for the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company. Construction of the library began in 1916 and was completed in April 1918. The park was donated in December 1921 by Eldridge R. Johnson, founder of the

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, after whom it is named. A fountain and several bronze statues were added between 1923 and 1930. After its closure the Cooper Library became the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, where theatrical performances were held. It was deeded to Rutgers University for a dollar and became known as the Center for Performing Arts in Camden. Rutgers University–Camden converted the center into a classroom and has allowed performances to be held at the Gordon Theater instead. Currently the building serves as a Digital Studies Center and Writing and Design Lab.

References

External links

Johnson Park Restoration
{{Rutgers University Library buildings completed in 1916 Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey Neoclassical architecture in New Jersey Buildings and structures in Camden, New Jersey Carnegie libraries in New Jersey National Register of Historic Places in Camden County, New Jersey New Jersey Register of Historic Places Rutgers University buildings Rutgers University–Camden

History and description

See also

References

External links