Hall Memorial Library (Ellington, Connecticut)
Ellington Center Historic District | |
 | |
  Location within Connecticut  Location within the United States | |
| Location | Ellington, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°54′15″N 72°28′17″W / 41.90417°N 72.47139°W |
| Architect | Wilson Potter |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Part of | Ellington Center Historic District (ID90001754[1]) |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
The Hall Memorial Library in Ellington, Connecticut was built in 1903 and was the first free public library in the town.[2] It was designed by New York City architect Wilson Potter.
It is a contributing building in the Ellington Center Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
History
The library was a gift to the town of Ellington from Francis Hall, a prominent bookseller and merchant. [4] Hall intended the building as a memorial to his father, Judge John Hall, and his brother, Edward Hall. [5] Both men were highly respected figures in Ellington who had operated the world-renowned Hall School for Boys.
Construction of the library began in the early 20th century; however, Francis Hall passed away before the building was completed. His brothers served as executors of his will, ensuring that his vision for a free public library for the citizens of Ellington was realized. The original 5,000-square-foot facility opened in 1903 and featured stack areas, a reading room, a children’s room, and a second-story picture gallery and meeting space.[6]
In 1992, the library underwent a significant expansion, adding 19,000 square feet to the original structure.
References
- ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ↑ "History".
- ↑ David F. Ransom (April 27, 1990). "NRHP Inventory-Nomination: Ellington Center Historic District". National Park Service. and Accompanying 16 photos from 1990 (see photo captions page 27 of text document)
- ↑ Daniel (2014-02-22). "Hall Memorial Library (1903) - Historic Buildings of Connecticut". Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "History - Hall Memorial Library". library.ellington-ct.gov. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "History - Hall Memorial Library". library.ellington-ct.gov. Retrieved 2026-07-16.