Howard Whittemore Memorial Library
243 Church St.
The Howard Whittemore Memorial Library was built to honor John Howard Whittemore Jr. (John Howard Whittemore’s son). Born February 24, 1872, Howard (as he was referred to) passed away at the age of 15 years old on May 28, 1887. A plaque in the library reads: "When death strikes down the innocent and young, for every fragile form from which he sets the panting spirit free, a hundred virtues rise in shapes of mercy, charity and love, to walk the world and bless it."
Commissioned by his father, John Howard Whittemore, the library was built and dedicated on June 1, 1894. It was designed by McKim, Mead & White. This Neo-Classical Revival building is constructed from pink Milford granite and embellished with buff terra-cotta panels, featuring a frieze inscribed with the names of famous authors. This design utilized the same plan as the firm’s Walker Art Gallery at Bowdoin College, the Neo-Classical Revival library.
The grand entrance is framed by fluted Ionic columns and bronze lampstands. Above, the design includes a low drum crowning the roof, ringed with anthemion antefixae, and a larger antefix above the pediment.
A discreet modern addition was added in 1962, complementing the original structure while preserving the historical street view.
Designated as part of the Naugatuck Center Historic District on July 30, 1999.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service (June 22, 1999) - Naugatuck Center Historic District National Register of Historic Places Inventory
Images of America - Naugatuck & Naugatuck Revisited Dana J. Blackwell and The Naugatuck Historical Society (November 1, 1996) Ron Gagliardi (August 25, 2004)
Images of America - Naugatuck & Naugatuck Revisited Dana J. Blackwell and The Naugatuck Historical Society (November 1, 1996) Ron Gagliardi (August 25, 2004)
Naugatuck Stories and Legends I & II. William G. Leuchars (1969)(1977)
Howard Whittemore Memorial Library - 9/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Howard Whittemore Memorial Library - 9/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Howard Whittemore Memorial Library Side of Building - 10/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Howard Whittemore Memorial Library Roof View - 10/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Howard Whittemore Memorial Library - 10/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
The Libraries We Love : Treasured Libraries of the United States and Canada Hardcover (December 15, 2006) Karen Christensen & David Levinson
Collection Item
1950s Whittemore Library bookmark - John Wiehn For many many years the library was closed on Tuesdays. On Tuesday’s the Women’s Study Club met at the library. The study club was begun by J. H. Whittemore’s wife.
John Howard Whittemore Jr.
Inside of Library
Inside of Library
Inside of Library
Inside of Library
Inside of Library
Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Saturday, August 31, 1946
World War II - History Edition
Library Provides Books In Keeping With War Effort
During the war years, the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library gave considerable attention to supplying material which was a definite aid to the home front. This took the form in an extensive file of civilian defense pamphlets and books for use by the volunteers in the different groups.
Industrial training for national defense was a vital subject. Workers in local industries took advantage of recent books on technical subjects. Excellent books on aeronautics were added as an aid to the pre-flight training program.
In January 1943, the first Victory Book Campaign was opened to provide books for service men. This was sponsored by the American Red Cross, the U.S.O. and the American Library Association. A total of 4,640 books were collected in Naugatuck. In addition to these, a large number of books and magazines were sent to the American Merchant Marine Library Association in New York.
Books on victory gardening, home canning and wartime recipes held interest in a number of families.