The Bangor Public Library is housed in a handsome Beaux Arts structure designed in 1911, after a devasting fire destroyed much of the downtown, including the previous library building, from which only 29 volumes were saved. The architects were Peabody & Stearns, one of America's finest architectural firms at the turn of the last century. After more than a century, the building's copper roof has reached the end of its life and is being replaced, at a cost of millions.
The showpiece of the building is a skylit central dome, ornamented by stylized acanthus leaf ornaments. The originals are being replaced by exact reproductions, as originally designed by Peabody & Stearns, and the originals will be sold at a silent auction by the Bangor Library on January 21st at 5:00 in the lecture hall. Worth a bid---they are gorgeous, and the funds raised go to a good cause.
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Echoes of Florence in Bangor, Maine (Wikimedia Commons) |
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4 comments:
Glad to have you back! This is such a beautiful building which I've never seen before - and to have one of those ornaments would really be a coup. They must be 4'-0" tall, no? Hopefully they're also cleaning that skylight!
Very INFORMATIVE and just FANTASTIC! I was looking for the related information. Thanks a lot it is very useful for me. Would love to read some pieces on the topic.
A rather innovative way to fund the restoration! I've got to keep that in mind.Can you point me in the direction of any particularly useful source on the Bangor Fire and/or the rebuilding afterward. This is the anniversary year of the great Salem Fire of 1914, and I'm working on a digital exhibition. Comparisons are always useful for this parochial city!
We are new to Downeast, and just discovered a great restaurant in Bangor. Will be back to explore more of the city - adding this handsome library to our list.
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