Warder Public Library
Encyclopedia
Warder Public Library was the main branch from 1890 to 1989, of the Clark County Public Library
in Springfield, Ohio
, United States. A robust example of Richardsonian Romanesque
architecture, the building was a gift to the city from industrialist Benjamin H. Warder
. It now houses the Clark County (Warder) Literacy Center.
was formed out of the merger of Warder's company and four others: McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, Deering Harvester Company
, Milwaukee Harvester Company, and Plano Manufacturing Company.
Warder and his business partners, Asa S. Bushnell
and John J. Glessner, each hired Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson
to design a house: the Warder Mansion
in Washington, DC. (1885-88); the Bushnell Mansion in Springfield, Ohio (1885-88); and the John J. Glessner House
in Chicago, Illinois (1885-87). Richardson died in 1886, but architects in his office completed the houses and formed a successor firm: Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge
. Warder hired them to design the library.
The L-shaped building is at the southwest corner of High Street and Spring Avenue. It is constructed of Ohio buff sandstone trimmed with Worcester brownstone, under a red slate roof. The east wing features an arcaded entrance porch; at the juncture of the wings is a tower that contains the staircase. The main reading room features a massive stone fireplace, 18 feet tall and 12 1/2 feet wide. In plan and massing, the building is closely related to Richardson's Converse Memorial Library
(1885) in Malden, Massachusetts.
Warder donated the building as a memorial to his parents. A plaque reads:
In 1989, the Clark County Public Library
moved to a modern facility at 201 South Fountain Avenue.
The Warder Public Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1978.
Clark County Public Library
Clark County Public Library is the public library of Clark County, Ohio, United States. It is based in Springfield, Ohio and has a collection of approximately 500,000 items.-History:...
in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...
, United States. A robust example of Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
architecture, the building was a gift to the city from industrialist Benjamin H. Warder
Benjamin H. Warder
Benjamin Head Warder was an American manufacturer of agricultural machinery...
. It now houses the Clark County (Warder) Literacy Center.
History
Warder (1824-1894) was president of Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company (established 1879, and headquartered in Springfield), manufacturers of Champion harvesters and farm equipment. In 1902, International HarvesterInternational Harvester
International Harvester Company was a United States agricultural machinery, construction equipment, vehicle, commercial truck, and household and commercial products manufacturer. In 1902, J.P...
was formed out of the merger of Warder's company and four others: McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, Deering Harvester Company
Deering Harvester Company
Deering Harvester Company was founded in 1894 by William Deering. In 1902, Deering Harvester Company and McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, along with three smaller agricultural equipment firms merged to create the International Harvester Company which is still in operation today as the Case IH...
, Milwaukee Harvester Company, and Plano Manufacturing Company.
Warder and his business partners, Asa S. Bushnell
Asa S. Bushnell (Ohio)
right|thumb|350pxAsa Smith Bushnell I was a Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the 40th Governor of Ohio. Bushnell was president of Warder, Bushnell and Glessner Company, which later became International Harvester, now known as Navistar Corporation...
and John J. Glessner, each hired Boston architect Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson was a prominent American architect who designed buildings in Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and other cities. The style he popularized is named for him: Richardsonian Romanesque...
to design a house: the Warder Mansion
Warder Mansion
Warder Mansion is a Washington, D.C. apartment complex at 2633 16th Street Northwest. Located about 1.5 miles north of the White House, it is the only surviving building in the city by architect H. H...
in Washington, DC. (1885-88); the Bushnell Mansion in Springfield, Ohio (1885-88); and the John J. Glessner House
John J. Glessner House
The John J. Glessner House, operated as the Glessner House Museum, is an important 19th-century residence located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. It was designed in 1885-1886 by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in late 1887. The property was designated a Chicago...
in Chicago, Illinois (1885-87). Richardson died in 1886, but architects in his office completed the houses and formed a successor firm: Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge
Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge
Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge was a successful architecture firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, operating between 1886 and 1915, with extensive commissions in monumental civic and collegiate architecture in the spirit and style of Henry Hobson Richardson....
. Warder hired them to design the library.
The L-shaped building is at the southwest corner of High Street and Spring Avenue. It is constructed of Ohio buff sandstone trimmed with Worcester brownstone, under a red slate roof. The east wing features an arcaded entrance porch; at the juncture of the wings is a tower that contains the staircase. The main reading room features a massive stone fireplace, 18 feet tall and 12 1/2 feet wide. In plan and massing, the building is closely related to Richardson's Converse Memorial Library
Converse Memorial Library
The Converse Memorial Building, also known as Converse Memorial Library, 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...
(1885) in Malden, Massachusetts.
Warder donated the building as a memorial to his parents. A plaque reads:
This library has been erected in memory of Jeremiah and Ann A. Warder by their son Benjamin Head Warder. It is given to the people of Springfield for their free enjoyment and is left in their charge forever. Dedicated June 12th, 1890.
In 1989, the Clark County Public Library
Clark County Public Library
Clark County Public Library is the public library of Clark County, Ohio, United States. It is based in Springfield, Ohio and has a collection of approximately 500,000 items.-History:...
moved to a modern facility at 201 South Fountain Avenue.
The Warder Public Library was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1978.