Dansville Library

Dansville Library
Dansville Library, October 2009
Location200 Main St., Dansville, New York
Coordinates42°33′44″N 77°41′49″W / 42.56222°N 77.69694°W / 42.56222; -77.69694
Arealess than one acre
Built1823
ArchitectBragdon, Claude
Architectural styleNeoclassical
Part ofDansville Downtown Historic District (ID07000485)
NRHP reference No.77000947[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 14, 1977

Dansville Library is a historic library located at Dansville in Livingston County, New York. It is a large two story Neoclassical style frame structure. It is dramatically enhanced by a pedimented, giant portico covering its full width. The portico features four Doric columns, an elaborate frieze with triglyphs and rosettes, a modillion cornice, and a semi-elliptical fan decoration in the cornice. The earliest section was built in 1823 as a private home for Joshua Shepard (1780–1829). The Shepard family donated the house for use as a library in 1923.[2]

In 2011 a renovation of the building was undertaken in order to bring the facilities of the library up to modern expectations of technological ability and handicap access.[3] A new wing was added to the southeast end of the building, dubbed the Saunders wing after the beneficence of local business mogul E. Philip Saunders[4] and his wife Carol. The interior of the original Shepard building was fully remodeled while the exterior received needed repair and upkeep.[5]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 [1] and it is a contributing property in the Dansville Downtown Historic District.

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Larry E. Gobrecht (April 1977). "Register of Historic Places Registration: Dansville Library". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved September 1, 2009. See also: "Accompanying two photos".
  3. ^ Miller, Jeff (November 23, 2011). "VIPs tour Dansville library's new wing". Genesee Country Express. Dansville, NY. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013.
  4. ^ See also: E. Philip Saunders College of Business
  5. ^ Miller, Jeff (December 15, 2011). "Shepard building renovation project nearing completion". Genesee Country Express. Dansville, NY. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013.