Converse Memorial Library

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Converse Memorial Building
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Converse Memorial Building
Location:	Malden, Massachusetts
Coordinates:	42°25′39″N 71°3′59″W / 42.4275, -71.06639Coordinates: 42°25′39″N 71°3′59″W / 42.4275, -71.06639
Built/Founded:	1885
Architect:	Richardson,H.H.; Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge
Architectural style(s):	Richardson Romanesque
Designated as NHL:	December 23, 1987
Added to NRHP:	September 05, 1985
NRHP Reference#:	85002014[1]
Governing body:	Private

The Converse Memorial Building is a public library building designed by noted American architect H. H. Richardson. From 1885 to 1996, when construction of a new library addition was completed, the building was also home to the Malden Public Library. The Converse Memorial Building is located at 36 Salem Street, Malden, Massachusetts.

The building was a gift of Elisha D. and Mary D. Converse in memory of their murdered son, Frank Eugene Converse who was the victim of the first bank robbery/murder in North America. It was constructed 1883-1885 in an overall L-shape, with a facade of brown Longmeadow sandstone, a tower rising from the L's inner corner, and a heavily arched entry porch set within the L's short arm. The main library room is 50 x 36 feet and finished in elaborately carved white oak with a high, vaulted ceiling. Its furniture was designed by Richardson and manufactured by the Boston firm of Albert H. Davenport Company.

The Converse Memorial Building is the last of Richardson's library designs and generally considered among his finest works. It is now a National Historic Landmark.

[edit] References

• Jeffrey Karl Ochsner, H. H. Richardson: Complete Architectural Works, MIT Press, 1985, page 314. ISBN 0262650150.
• American Library Association, Annual Conference Proceedings of the American Library Association, 1889, pages 78-79.
• National Historic Landmarks entry
• Digital Archive of American Architecture

General view from street	Angle view	End view	Facade decorations
Tower detail	Columns	Detail	Ornament

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