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Summary
Hutchison Memorial Library
228 North High Street, Randolph, Dodge County
Architect: Clas & Clas, Inc.
Date of Construction: 1936
Randolph is a small agricultural community that actively promoted a circulating library since 1872. Members of the public library association appealed to the Library Commission in Madison for assistance in 1906. They also consolidated their collection with the neighboring village of Randolph Center. Their desire to provide educational opportunities to the general public was furthered in 1935when the Village of Randolph was named the chief beneficiary in the estate of Mary L. Morris. They received funds and land for the construction of the Hutchinson Memorial Library.
The building was designed by the Milwaukee firm Clas & Clas, recognized for their design of civic, commercial and institutional buildings. They constructed the new building in Classical Moderne style. This style was a manifestation of the strong influence exerted on Neoclassicism by the rise of modernism during the 1920s and 1930s. It was an architectural compromise, mixing classical proportions with modern materials to create a clean, smooth appearance.
The greatly simplified classical details include fluted pilasters at the entrance, an entablature inscribed ¿Hutchinson Memorial Library¿ topped by a cornice drip cap, and stone dentils along the roofline. There are two windows on each side of the entrance. Under each window is a large, square panel, separated by slightly raised vertical piers. Each pier is ornamented with a small metal square mimicking the traditional columns and capitals of classical architecture. The interior follows the typical plan of a public library. There is a central circulation desk in the reading room with an office directly behind. There is also a small room that was originally designed as a museum but is now used as the periodical room.
The library is still in operation today and is open during regular hours.
Property Details
Resources Within The Property
Designations
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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