Spalding Memorial Library-Tioga Point Museum

The story

Written by AI from this property's National Register nomination and the record above; every sentence is checked against its sources before it appears here. Corrections: privacy@treealive.com

The Spalding Memorial Library-Tioga Point Museum is a library and museum building at 724 S. Main St. in Athens, Bradford County, built in 1897 and 1898 in the Classical Revival and Colonial Revival styles. Albert Hamilton Kipp and Harry Charles Child are its architects.

Why it's listed

It was listed under criteria A, B and C, with local-level significance in social history and architecture. Its period of significance, 1897 to 1949, reflects its 1897 construction and 1928 rear addition.

Physical character

Brick walls rise from an Indiana limestone foundation, under a hipped roof of slate and asphalt shingles. A pedimented portico with four limestone Ionic columns shelters a fanlight entrance, and quoins, dentils and modillions trim the exterior; the 1897 cornerstone bears a crescent moon with the architect's initials and masonic symbols. Inside, marble stair treads, wrought iron balusters, terrazzo floors and steel book stacks survive. A rear addition planned in 1927 and built in 1928 was followed by a 1999 elevator tower and storage room.

Historical context

The Tioga Point Historical Society organized in 1895, was deeded the lot in 1897 and dedicated the building in 1898. Louise Welles Murray published Old Tioga Point and Early Athens in 1908 and died in 1931.