Publication Date

Fall 2021

Abstract

This document covers the textual portions of the National Register Preliminary Questionnaire (NRPQ, herein), a statement of significance and a statement of property integrity, for the Washington Square Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library property at 1244 Portage Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Washington Square branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library, designed by Kalamazoo architect M.C.J Billingham and built by the Kalamazoo based O.F. Miller contracting company is notable for aligning with the early twentieth century American trend of women and women’s social groups advocating for the establishment and erection of libraries. Additionally, the Library is considered a fine example of the Tudor style of architecture in America.

The NRPQ is meant to provide a basis of information for properties that may be further researched for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to completing the two textual portions, the rest of the NRPQ was also completed, which includes the completion of forms issued by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, the collection of historic and contemporary photographs, and the compilation of various sources. This project concludes that the Library should be included in the National Register of Historic Places for exemplary architectural expression, being built by master craftsmen local to Kalamazoo, and for being associated with events that made a contribution to the broad patterns of American history. To come to this conclusion, I visited the Washington Square Branch Library in Kalamazoo to perform a cursory survey, researched the Library using archival materials at the Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch location, and conducted additional, mostly internet based, research. The additional research was focused on individuals who were instrumental in the erection of the Library and the Tudor style in America.

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