History of the Somerville Public Library

The first Library presence in Somerville lasted from 1807 until 1829, but the first true effort in a sustained fashion started in 1871, when 250 persons organized a "People's Reading Room and Library." The Library existed in a succession of rented quarters until 1890, when it moved to the Tunison Building. By this date, it was outgrowing its quarters, and the idea of building a permanent structure began to take shape. Between 1890 and 1900, Somerville's population increased from 3,800 to 4,800, and the town was prosperous. Churches and office buildings were beginning to be built, and interest was turned, in the minds of the civic-minded, to the idea of establishing the Somerville Public Library in a larger, more fitting setting than the rented quarters it had lately known.

Unfortunately, the boosterism of the time, along with certain civic realities, conspired to make those interested in a permanent structure take a back seat to those who wished to establish and build a municipal hospital. Also, it was thought that a building effort for a Library and a hospital could not be mounted simultaneously. Thus, the Library party bided its time, and, in 1900, began actively to plan for a Library building. Using funds gathered by public subscription, the Library's Board of Trustees purchased a plot of land on Maple Street, and hired architect George B. Post to design a small, classically-styled structure, which would have large windows to let in the maximum of natural light. The Library opened on April 14, 1902.

The Maple Street building was altered and stacks were added in 1924 to accommodate the thousands of volumes owned. In 1928, the Library again outgrew its quarters and was then transferred to the Schwed Building, on the corner of Bridge and High Streets, along with Borough offices. Built sometime between 1874 and 1881 by John Schomp, it was occupied, successively, by the families of David Craig and Charles Schwed. The Library was located on its ground floor. It was located in this building until 1958.

Interest in the building of a larger, more permanent Library building (which would ideally be in a structure of its own) began in 1938, with a bequest of $35,000 from attorney Hugh K. Gaston. There followed several building initiatives between 1939 and 1958, as the Somerville Borough Council twice voted funds to add to the Gaston bequest (one going so far as to draw up plans by an architectural firm). In 1940, the Borough acquired the Messler property on West High Street for building purposes but contributions never equaled the approximately $200,000 it would have taken to build a suitable structure. In 1956, the Borough Council purchased the Elks Club building (the former Robert-Camman mansion) on West End Avenue, which was a much lauded and historically-significant structure. Amid discontent by some individuals and groups, in 1958 the Library Board of Trustees agreed to accept a portion of the new Borough Hall, and the Library was given a new home. The Library, as well as the rest of the structure, has escaped destruction by fire twice in its history in this location, once in 1967(reopening after full restoration in 1969), and in 1980 (reopening after full restoration in 1981). This is the current location of Somerville Public Library, and the library celebrated forty years in this locale in 1998.

As local historian Jessie Havens termed it in her Hindsight column in the Messenger-Gazette of 1/31/80, Somerville's Borough Hall is the "county's handsomest house...the most sumptuous residence ever built in Somerville." Interestingly, the house has had two separate existences with two very different appearances.

In the mid-1840's, copper mining magnate Albert Cammann built a structure of brick in the "castellated Gothic style of architecture," to again quote Mrs. Havens. It was a magnificent edifice with "18- foot ceilings, marble mantelpieces" (Havens) and other luxurious appointments such as a matching stable (once used as Somerville Police Headquarters), groves of fruit trees, and eleven acres of land (since reduced to a triangular piece of land). Passing briefly through the hands of State Senator Eugene Doughty, it was purchased in 1886 by Daniel Robert, a wealthy real estate magnate. Wishing to place his stamp on the house, Robert, in 1888, substantially redesigned the house, choosing as his model a mansion in Bridgeport, Connecticut which had been designed by the distinguished architect Alexander Jackson Davis; it is no longer in existence. To do so, he "razed the old house with the help of some dynamite"(Havens); the resultant mansion was of the Tudor-Gothic style with "turrets and towers"(Havens) with substantially-lush interior appointments: each room had a different motif, the best woods(such as mahogany, cherry, and white maple) were used, stained glass was used throughout, the main staircase was carved from black walnut, and the fireplaces in each room were surrounded by imported tile. The house retains its period charm and beauty.

Mrs. Robert lived on in the mansion until 1923, after which it was sold to the Somerville Elks. The Elks opened a restaurant on the premises, which was a popular attraction for many years. To accommodate large gatherings, a ballroom was constructed to the rear of the house in 1939. This area is the current home of the Somerville Public Library.