Hunt Memorial Library
{{short description|Historic building in New Hampshire, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Hunt Memorial Library
| nrhp_type =
| image = Huntlibrarynashua.jpg
| caption =
| location = 6 Main St., Nashua, New Hampshire
| coordinates = {{coord|42|45|55|N|71|28|3|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = New Hampshire#USA
| built = {{start date|1903}}
| architect = Cram & Associates
| builder = Nashua Building Co.
| architecture = Late Gothic Revival
| added = June 28, 1971
| area = {{convert|0.5|acre|ha}}
| refnum = 71000049{{NRISref|2009a}}
| nrhp_type2 = cp
| nocat = yes
| designated_nrhp_type2 = December 13, 1984
| partof = Nashville Historic District
| partof_refnum = 84000574
}}
The Hunt Memorial Library, also known as the John M. Hunt Memorial Building, is a historic former library building at 6 Main Street in downtown Nashua, New Hampshire. Built in 1903, it is a significant early work of the renowned Gothic Revival architect Ralph Adams Cram, then in partnership with Goodhue and Ferguson. The Nashua Public Library moved to a new building in 1971. The building is owned by the city and is available for rent for functions.{{cite web| url=http://www.nashua.lib.nh.us/hunt/| title=The Hunt Building| publisher=Nashualibrary.org| accessdate=April 28, 2011}} It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Description and history
The Hunt Memorial Building is located at the northern end of downtown Nashua, at the southeast corner of Main and Lowell Streets. It is a multi-level structure built of brick laid in Flemish bond, with limestone trim. Its three-story square tower is an imposing presence at the upper end of Main Street, with a staircase turret projecting from one corner. The tower has buttressed corners and large Gothic-arched windows, and houses a four-face clock in its upper level. It is topped by a crenellated parapet. The main entrance is located at the base of the tower, in a Gothic-arched opening with heavy oaken double doors with book-leaf panels.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=71000049}}|title=NRHP nomination for Hunt Memorial Library|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2014-10-28}}
The building was constructed in 1903, and is an early work of architect Ralph Adams Cram, then early in a distinguished career. Cram was a native of New Hampshire, and was during his career a major proponent of renewed interest in Gothic Revival architecture. The Hunt Building includes good examples of the architectural vocabulary Cram developed for this role. It was used as a library until 1971.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Hunt Memorial Library (Nashua, New Hampshire)}}
{{NRHP in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Library buildings completed in 1903
Category:Libraries in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Category:Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in New Hampshire
Category:Gothic Revival architecture in New Hampshire
Category:Buildings and structures in Nashua, New Hampshire
Category:Education in Nashua, New Hampshire
Category:Historic district contributing properties in New Hampshire
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire