Omaha Public Library (building)

Omaha Public Library
Location 1823 Harney Street, Omaha, Nebraska
Coordinates 41°15′22.8″N 95°56′26.1″W / 41.256333°N 95.940583°WCoordinates: 41°15′22.8″N 95°56′26.1″W / 41.256333°N 95.940583°W
Built 1891[1]
Architect Thomas Kimball
Architectural style Second Renaissance Revival
NRHP Reference # 78001696 [2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP 1978
Designated OMAL October 17, 1978[1]

The original Omaha Public Library building was built in 1891 at 1823 Harney Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska by renowned architect Thomas Kimball. Designed in the Second Renaissance Revival style, the building was designated an Omaha Landmark in October 1978, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places that same year.

About

Similar to the Boston Public Library, the original Omaha Public Library building is the best early Second Renaissance Revival structure in Nebraska. Byron Reed, a pioneer real estate broker in Omaha, donated the site for the building and his collection of books, manuscripts and coins.[3]

Called "Old Main" for most of its usage, the library closed on February 16, 1977, with special attention to preserving the original exterior masonry wall roundels, copper roof, and interior iron staircase. In 1982 it was renovated as an office building called the "Omaha Library Plaza", for which it is still used as today.[4]

Upper corner of building, with dentils and brackets below roofline; medallion containing high-relief bust of Demosthenes
Upper northeast corner of building; the bust in the medallion depicts Demosthenes.
Section of wall. At top, rectangular panel reading "PVBLIC LIBRARY". Below, three windows terra-cotta ornamentation around them.
Detail of north (front) facade: note names "Chaucer", "Shakespeare", and "Milton" inscribed above windows, and busts of Sophocles and Homer in upper left and right corners.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Omaha Landmarks". Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  2. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23.
  3. ↑ "Omaha Public Library", City of Omaha Landmark Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved 10/5/09.
  4. ↑ Pollack, O. "Postcards from the Past", Nebraska Center for the Book News. Retrieved 9/5/07.

External links