Summary
Durand Free Library
315 Second Avenue West, Durand, Pepin County
Architect: Claude & Starck
Date of Construction: 1907
The Durand Library Association established a local library in 1886. Located above the Huntington Feed Store, it remained there until 1898 when it moved to Hutchinson Drugstore. Two years later the city assumed financial responsibility and moved the collection to Durand State Bank where it became known as the Durand Free Library. The city acquired a Carnegie grant in 1906 and construction on a new library building began the next year.
The Madison firm of Claude & Starck, noted for their many Carnegie libraries throughout Wisconsin, provided the design. Known for their Prairie and Neoclassical designs; Claude & Starck chose a less common Tudor design for the Durand Free Library. The building is constructed of locally quarried rusticated ashlar limestone topped by red brick. Prominent Tudor features include the flattened arch framing the entrance, brackets and bargeboards, and decoratively cut rafters that extend beneath the low roof eaves. The steeply pitched roof is clad in French red clay tiles. Two windows break through the eaves requiring gabled dormers.
The interior has a typical Carnegie library plan with a central circulation desk and wall stacks. The fireplace in the reference alcove contains a plaster replication of the Chariot Races found in the ruins of Herculaneum, Italy. A fig leaf was added to the nude male figure to calm public controversy. The lower floor consists of several community rooms.
The building is now used as private offices. Please respect the privacy of the owners.
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.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or have other questions about the registers, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
525 Main St
100007661
Located in Darlington, Lafayette County
