Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-02
Daily 8saafbff ypnrnal.
HUBBARD FREE LIBRARY.
A Credit to Our Sister City HaIIowell,
It's Dedication Early In March.
Lean and Art Exhibition, February Sin
Tin, and Gin.

4
free public library and reading room, the
building and equipments for which will
prove lasting testimonial to the zeal of the
ladies' who carried forward The work OF the
old social library, and to tie liberal gener-
osity of Gen. Thos. II. Hubbard Of New
York city. Hi, gift of s20,o00 made it
possible for tie trustees, Hon. James H.
Leigh, president, to inaueurate the enter
prise which gives the Hubbard Free Library
/ Early in the summer plans we're prepared
| for an enlargement Of the former structure
by wing in tie rear, running north aud
south, which more than doubles the tioor
SPACE, and greatly enlarges the room for
books. The old library is to be devoted s DE
ly to reading room purposes,w with racks for
reference books; the addition Is given up
TO the books, a librarians room, and vesti-
bule. At the dedication early 10 March,
Prof. Chas. f. Richardson of Dartmouth,
who gained els strongest inspirations from
this library will deliver the dedicatory ad-
dress on the thsme, ''The Public Library
Its Mission" A poem by Matte Baker
Dunn of Waterville, and other literary ex-
ercises will make the occasion memorable
one.
A brief outline of the completed library
will give interesting reading, ana an early
inspection by our people will simply repay
Them.
The outer material is handsome white
granite, in ashlan work. The style or ar
chitecture within and without is strongly
gothic. The finish within shows open tim
Der work in hard pine; the finish is in black
ash and walnut. Every line of decoration,
every item Of good work, holds to the orig
inal design, gothic, and shows the work of
its original architect, the late Alex. C. Cur
rier.
reading room, by vestibuled porch, highly
onamentei at the inner entrance with cary
ed oak arch ,surmounting pillars which form
the support of the design. Directly OPP
post, is the gothic arched opening into the
new part. The effect as you stand near
the main entrance is a most pleasing one
you forget the equipments of its main room,
its neatly decorated walls, the open finish
with the roof, the beautiful creations in
wood and color--for you gain a glimpse of
the score or more of alcoves, whose shelves
are loaded down with the precious volumes
of the old library. The new building has the
advantage of direct light through two large
gothic windows, and the variety Of its
equipments add brightness. A handsome
carved gate admits to the library proper, in
which the same style Of decoration is
portrayed. On the left is handsome little
room for the librarian, on the right, neat
vestibule, and in the central space and oc-
cupying the larger part of the building, are
arranged the alcoves and shelves for books.
A few mechanical details are worth not
ing. The trussed roofs are exactly alike
in the two rooms, both of Southern pine,
with perfect fitting joints. The cornices
and mouldings are all hand carved from
original designs. Sold ash and heavy
black walnut are used throughout.
The beauty of the decorations call for
especial notice. The original work
was executed by Schumacher; the
new work, faithful reproduction
is the handiwork of John w. Berry of
Gardiner. The following scheme viii ex-
plain itself:
The ceiling is divided into large num-
Der Of nearly square panels-the tIusses
and purlines forming their borders. The
fl Id in each panel is light robins egg
blue-with margins of yellowish gray, and
darker edge line of self color-with a
fine line in face of panel. LergIhwi:e OF
ceiling, at its top, center and bottom, are
wide borders of detailed ornamental IN.
Two of these are Greek-somew hat cen
ventionalized; considerably intricate and
done in raw sienna black, Indian red, lighter
red, dull blue, gray, black aud gold. The
upper and lower tier of blue panels are oina-
mented with powderings. Across the gable
end, in line with the caves, is wide detail
border, in block panel work, with prevail
ing cOt0re OF Otner OrHaueHiStiOu,gViu ucS
orations and powdering,. The peak of 'hs
gables has another vide, ornamented bor-
der, The walls are a very light chocolate
with band borders at top and bottom. A
glance at the decorations in full will make
this scheme clear.
An artist might critieise the coloring IN
the old design as darker than new styles
tolerate; but finished artist, whether paint
ing on canvas, or wood, or stone, leaves
only thst which is worthy of preservation.
The decorations as whole are very salts
factory.
The handsome grounds were graded and
terraced late in the fall. With the promised
co cooperation of the Maine Contra! authori-
ties. certain Diet Ills in improvements, to be
completed in the spring, will make the Hub
bard Free Library one of the most tesuti-
full spots on the whole line OF railroad.
The various contractors connected With
the enterprise are: The Hallowell Granite
Works, who put in the foundations, and
| leased the mason work to Smith { Clark,