Saturday, May 08, 2010

Shedd-Porter Memorial Library

Designed by Boston architects William H. McLean and Albert H. Wright, the granite facade library was built in the Beaux-Arts style in 1909-1910 in Alstead, NH. The building was a gift from John Graves Shedd and Mary Roenna Porter, husband and wife and native born Alsteadians.

The fun bike rack is a new addition.

Mosaic and marble floors, mahogany furniture and door and window frames.

You feel like you are in ancient Greece as you gaze at the Siennna marble columns.

Hard to capture the magnificence of the atrium.

Stained glass sky light. John Shedd moved to Chicago as a young man and later became president of Marshall Field's department store. He also funded the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago among other buildings.

I was at the library for a free, two hour collage workshop. These are my two for the day.

11 comments:

Julie said...

i am a sucker for kitties and butterflies!

love your achitecture photos!

Katiejane said...

Well, I have to say that I also like the kitty and butterflies, but the Library is stunning. I'll bet it is definately something to see in person. Love the stained glass and mosaic. Thanks for the peek.

Robin said...

Suki, the library is beautiful nd you did an excellent job of capturing it! Those columns.... gorgeous - (although I forget if they are Doric or Ionic...).
You don't see such gorgeous and well-thought out structures these days....everything is square and filled with glass...

The collages are GREAT! A definite change of pace for you....I find them both interesting (as are all the ones you create), strong and positive.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Have a lovely time with your son!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Kim said...

Suki, what a treasure you have found in this library! I can't tell you the last time I was in such a wonderful public library...probably never. Thank you so much for sharing these photos.

I love your collages. It sounds like there is a lot of very positive things happening up there!

Thank for sharing!

studio lolo said...

Jeez I love librarys! it was wonderful getting a tour of this old one, so beautifully done. I love the bike rack :)

Did you know my maiden name was Porter? I don't think we're related but who knows. Geneology is at a standstill for us. Funny because Brian's family has a library in South Hadley, The Gaylord Memorial Library! I guess it's fitting that I'm an author:)

The orchard shot makes a beautiful header!
I also love your collages. And we'd LOVE to have you join us Suki! We'll let you know when the next gathering will be.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Mim said...

love that library - love the overall space and grandure...

suki, mim, kj, lo???? woowee

Lynne with an e said...

I'm really taken with the first collage of the building. It fits well, too, with your library photos. What a treat to have a library like that at hand. Mine, in my wee village, is about as big as my kitchen.

I really like your statement in the previous post about changing the station when the news gets too depressing (words to that effect). "Just change the station" is a good reminder when one's own thoughts get obsessive or downward- facing-doggish." Thanks for that!

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Great Library. Love the mosaic and the old bicycle outside. Love the butterfly and kitties too.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely outing! Thank you for documenting the beauty of your day for us to share.

~Babs said...

Super post of a beautiful place, Suki.
Your collages are really well done,,and I LOVE that bike rack!
:-)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a wonderful library. I bet you go there sometimes just to soak up the atmosphere. Lucky you to have a free collage workshop too. I like your work. Happy Mother's Day.