An Architectural and Historical Overview of the Woodstock Public Library
Fig. 1 John William Bentley (1880–1951) painting of Dr. Larry Hall House & office/Library
[year unknown]. Barn in the background is on the neighboring Lasher Funeral Home property.
I. PHASE 1 DEVELOPMENT: Original Larry G. and Catharine L. Hall Dwelling
The original dwelling, at the site of the present library building may have been constructed in the
latter years of the 18th century (Fig. 1). There are conflicting accounts of who was responsible for
this early vernacular building—one account states it was built by Larry Bogardus. 1 Another credits
it to Dr. Larry Gilbert Hall, who appears certainly to have constructed a two-room ell off the west
side for an office and waiting room, c. 1812. 2 The stylistic differences between the main house and
ell, as depicted in historic images, do suggest they were constructed at two different times. The
house had wood clapboard siding, while the ell’s front façade is clad with vertical wood planks.
1
Anita M. Smith, Woodstock, History and Hearsay, 2nd edition (WoodstockArts, 2006), pp 157-58. Smith also wrote
that Philip Sickler sold the property that includes the library site to John G. Ring and that Stephen Force came into
ownership. Our deed research reveals that John G. & Sally Ring conveyed the then much larger property in 1812 to
Stephen Fores (sic), Ulster County Deeds, Book 20, Page 572. Another deed, Book 21, Page 208, shows that Stephen
and Elizabeth Force sold the tract that included the library property to Samuel Culver and his wife in 1814.
2
Neva Shultis, From Sunset to Cock’s Crow – Woodstock Folklore (Historical Society of Woodstock, 1957), p. 12: “Dr.
Larry Hall built the house which is now the Library in 1812 and apparently he followed the old custom of putting a
bottle of brandy in the walls of the house to bring good luck, for a few years ago, when some changes were made in the
building, a bottle of brandy dated 1812 was found in the wall.” Alf Evers, Woodstock, History of an American Town
(Overlook Press, Woodstock, NY 1987) p. 205: “The old addition to this house, which is still standing, was built in
1812 as an office by Dr. Hall.” These somewhat contradictory accounts, whereby the term “addition” suggests the main
house was constructed earlier, need not concern us here since only a part of the addition or ell is still standing.
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Its walls are ornamented with pilasters supporting a frieze pierced with stars representing, it
is said, the eighteen states then in the union. Though Dr. Hall, confident that the nation
would grow, saved room for another six or eight stars, these never appeared on the frieze and
the blank space left for them remains blank. 3
Fig. 2. Detail map of the Woodstock hamlet from the 1875 Atlas of Ulster County, New York. “Mrs. Hall” is the label
for a building in the location of the present library; she also owned an adjoining property to the east with a building.
The original dwelling had a rear lean-to or shed-roofed extension as shown in Fig. 3. Remains of
the stone foundation in a crawlspace under the present
library building define where the northern wall of the
lean-to was located. A fireplace on the west wall of the
house, between it and the ell, since removed, is
evidenced by a brick chimney in the early paintings and
photographs, as well as reference to a “Colonial-type
fireplace by Ralph Whitehead at the time the dwelling
was inspected for possible use by the library. 4
Fig. 3. Early photo of rear (north & east sides)
of original building.
3
Alf Evers, Woodstock, History of an American Town (Overlook Press, Woodstock, NY, 1987) p. 205. Note: the
current number of stars on the referenced frieze is 21.
4
Frances Rogers, The Story of a Small Town Library, The Development of the Woodstock, N.Y. Library (Woodstock,
NY: The Overlook Press, 1974), p. 36. On page 168 of this book, Rogers attributes a quote to Evers stating the ell was
constructed in 1832 by Dr. Hall (only 4 years before his death); however Evers’ own work states it was built 1812.
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Fig 4. Early photograph of original building, taken sometime after it was conveyed from Victor and Edith Lasher to the
“Woodstock Club.”
Dr. Larry Gilbert Hall (1788-1836), lived here with his wife, Catharine Longyear Hall, until his
death at the age of 47. Genealogical records indicate they had seven children. 5 It appears Catharine
(1796-1885) continued to live here until her death. The 1850 U.S. Census enumerates her as head
of the household, age 53, with seven others living there, and having real estate valued at $2000. 6
After Catharine Longyear Hall’s death in 1885, the house came into possession of the Lasher
family, who sold it to Mrs. Walter Weyl in 1927. 7
Nelson Lasher, a farmer, obtained the property (which was then over six acres) for $1,025 at public
auction on December 3, 1886, conducted by Augustus H. VanBuren, a court-appointed referee.
This resulted from a lawsuit brought by Larry and Catharine Hall’s daughter, Caroline Hall Snyder,
against Benjamin Davis, et al. 8 Nearly forty years later the property was actually conveyed directly
5
Ancestry.com Family Tree for Dr. Larry Gilbert Hall lists his wife as “Catrina” [rather than Catharine] Longyear with
them having the following children: Maria, b. 1816; William L., b. 1817; Sarah Ann, b. 1820; and Mary, Caroline and
Abigail (no dates provided).
6
1850 U. S. Census, p. 10, the household headed by Catharine Hall included Elizabeth Hall, age 8; William Hall, age 7;
Ogden Hall, age 5 [nieces and nephews?]; Caroline Snyder, 33 [daughter]; Ann Snyder, 13; Maria Snyder 10; Josephine
Snyder, 8 [granddaughters] . The 1860 Census lists her as living alone at age 63; the 1870 Census lists her at age 74
living with daughter Caroline Snyder, 51, a dressmaker, and granddaughter Josephine, age 26; the 1880 Census lists
“Catharina” Hall, age 84, living with Caroline Snyder, 61 and [great-granddaughter] Anna S. Snyder, age 5.
7
Smith, p. 158.
8
Ulster County Deeds: Book 268, Page 45, dated Jan. 3, 1887. The deed referenced an action brought in the Albany
County Court on October 11, 1886.
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from the Lashers to the Woodstock Club on September 26, 1927. 9 (Evidently there had been a
private agreement between Mrs. Weyl on behalf of the library and the Lashers.) Six months before
that date a reception had been “held to celebrate the opening of the Woodstock Club’s library in its
new quarters.” 10 A letter dated the same day as the deed transfer attests that the library building
would be a memorial to the late Walter Weyl:
My dear Mrs. Weyl:
At the meeting of the Trustees held last evening, your check for five thousand dollars
was formally turned over to the Woodstock Club, Inc. for the purpose of purchasing the
building now occupied by the Library.
It is futile to try to express in words what this means to the Club and to the entire town.
On all sides we hear “It is the finest thing that has ever happened to Woodstock!”
We shall endeavor to live up to your expectation of us in growing wisely and well.
Mr. Banks will make us a bronze plate about ten by twelve inches, for the exterior of the
building; and will you write out for us what you would like to have put on it?
In expressing the profound gratitude of the Trustees of the club for your most generous
gift, I am sure that it is an expression in which the whole community joins us.
Sincerely,
Marion G. Eames, Secy.
Woodstock Club, Inc. 11
An early photograph (Fig. 4) shows the front façade of the story-and-a-half building after the
property was conveyed to the Woodstock Club.12 By that point the building had two-over-two
windows, undoubtedly replacements of original multi-light sas. 13 The left side ell, an extension off
the ell and an open, shed-roofed porch were also still in evidence. The ell, which had been rented as
an apartment by the Lashers, continued to be let through the early 1940s in order to bring in revenue
for the library. This revenue fluctuated substantially over the years, due to lack of adequate heat, no
running water, and no indoor toilet facilities. 14 Fig. 5 illustrates the approximate footprint of the
original building together with Dr. Hall’s two-room ell.
In 1932 the Woodstock Club formally changed its name to the Woodstock Library and successfully
sought to “become an Association Library under the State Laws in order to secure tax exemption
and certain other advantages.” 15
In 1933 physical changes to the library and site were contemplated. Parking for automobiles was
first recognized as being needed. Also, the front door had not been used in favor of a side door that
faced Library Lane, “Presumably because the front door opened into a short closed-off hallway
from which narrow, steep stairs led to the second floor [a half story].” The hallway was referred to
9
Ulster County Deeds: Book 527, Page 192, dated Sept. 26, 1927, shows that Victor N. and Edith L. Lasher conveyed
the property “with the building thereon” to the Woodstock Club for one dollar “to be used for library purposes only”
[limited to V. L. Lasher’s lifetime]. The deed also reserved for the Club first right to purchase the lawn in front of the
library, which was not included in the original transaction, if the Lashers should decide to sell.
10
Rogers, p. 45
11
Rogers, pp.47-48.
12
Smith, p. 158: “In 1913 Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead called together a group of residents that included Walter Weyl,
Mrs. Dubois, Edward Simmons, Carl Eric Lindin and Dr. Downer to form a Woodstock Club. Its purpose was to start a
community health program and to provide a reading room and library.”
13
2-over-2 sash windows became available only after the Civil War.
14
Rogers, pp. 50, 58-59, 66 and 75.
15
Ibid., p. 66.
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in the Library’s minutes as “the small room on the south which could be used for art books.” 16 The
board determined that the front door to the former dwelling should be used as the main entrance and
physical modifications were authorized to make it so. During this period heating was provided by a
“large pot-bellied stove” which was deemed to be inadequate; Library Trustees were interested in
installing a furnace but that did not take place for years. 17
16
Ibid., p. 74; the certificate of registration by the State as an Association Library was received by Sept. 1932.
According to Library Friend Michael Perkins, the present furnace was installed in 1987; information as to whether it
replaced an earlier furnace has not been found.
17
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Fig. 5. Illustration of the footprint of the original Hall Dwelling (Phase 1 of the development)
superimposed on the current library building footprint.
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II. PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT – First Building Expansion
Many of us believe we should begin as soon as possible to make plans for a new building.
However, when speaking of a “new library I do not necessarily mean tearing down this old
one—it might be incorporated in the new part. And my reason for bringing this to the
attention of the Board now is two-fold. First, the need is obvious and was stressed by Miss
Ridgeway, the [state library] inspector from Albany, and second, the psychological effect on
the public. It would answer the question so many ask: “What are you going to do with this
money you make at the Fair?” 18
This assessment by Katherine Boyd of the Fair Committee after the Library Fair of 1946 led to
discussion by the Library Board of a substantial addition of “at least fifty feet long.” Although a
prize for the best design by local architects was proposed by Mrs. Boyd, others on the Executive
Committee determined that no time should be wasted and that Alfred Graeser, the architect who had
designed Woodstock’s Town Hall in 1937 (completed in 1939) was “the very man for the job” and
it was voted to request him to look over the building and suggest a plan. 19
After inspecting the place in front and back, and the interior from the wet cellar to the roof,
the architect reported that he considered the proposal to add a room along the back wall a
good one, but while the trustees were at it, why not extend the new structure around the
corner, so to speak? By replacing part of the Ell it would be possible to increase the size of
the children’s room, and between it and the front office there would be space for a small but
adequate toilet for the staff. Then in order to install a furnace it would be necessary to
construct a deep, waterproof room in the cellar. 20
Because the Board requested the addition be as fireproof as possible, the original plan by Graeser
was for a concrete structure with steel doors between the old and new sections that could be closed
at night. However, when the plans were reviewed by Marion Moshier of the State Library, it was
noted that:
…no part of a library should be closed off to make it fireproof. “Libraries seldom burn,” she
said. “What you must do is to have a wide opening here—no doors—a wide arch here above
low bookshelves and here,” she indicated the wall between the Ell and the main room…In
short keep everything as open as possible so the librarian can see into the other rooms from
her desk in this room.” 21
Resulting changes were made to the plan and bids obtained for the work by mid-winter—the
addition was constructed of concrete block, however. Frances Roger’s account of the project
included a letter from Walter VanWagenen, Board President, to Members of the Woodstock Library
dated February 1948 in which it was mentioned that, “The trustees considered tearing down the
present building, but the additional cost would be prohibitive, and the majority wanted to preserve
the charm of the old building.” 22 Ground was broken on March 3 of that year, with a model of the
enlarged building unveiled by architect Graeser; the cornerstone was laid on April 30. With work
18
Rogers, p. 105.
Ibid., pp. 105-106.
20
Ibid.
21
Ibid., pp.106-107. Also, pp. 100-101: The request for a fireproof addition was prompted by an incident in 1941 when
the building nearly caught fire due to the oil stove in the back room of the ell overheating, charring the woodwork and
blistering the paint before the feed from the outside oil tank was turned off.
22
Ibid., p. 108.
19
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proceeding unhindered by a lack of funds, the Open House for the completed addition was held on
Friday, November 26, 1948. 23 Fig. 6 shows the plan of this second phase of library development.
Fig. 6. Phase 2 footprint of Graeser’s rear addition (in blue) superimposed on the current building
footprint & illustrating the portion of the original c. 1812 ell that was removed.
23
Ibid. p. 114.
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Architect Albert Graeser (1898 – 1965) was born in Dahling, South Carolina, the son of immigrants
from Switzerland, Clarence Augustus and Jeanne A. Graseser. His father was a professor. Albert
attended Cornell University, was employed by the architectural firm Gibb & Waltz of Ithaca, New
York, in 1921, and was awarded a Bachelor of Architecture degree on February 8, 1922. In 1930
Graeser lived in Yonkers in 1930 with his wife, Emily, and 7-month-old son, Paul, but he was a
resident of Woodstock by 1935. 24 His family resided in a house he designed on Ohayo Mountain
Road when he got the commission to design the Woodstock Town Hall and Fire Station. The 1940
Federal Census stated that Graeser’s architectural focus was “housing” and he is notable for the
house he designed for Mary and Ernest Earley on Ohayo Mountain Road in 1934, which was
pictured in House and Garden magazine in 1941. 25 He is credited by Alf Evers with having
designed the 1939 Woodworking Shop at the National Youth Administration Resident Craft Center
(now the Woodstock School of Art), then under the auspices of Eleanor Roosevelt. Graeser would
go on to design the elementary school located across Rt. 375 from the Woodstock Golf Course in
1950. 26
III. PHASE 3 DEVELOPMENT – Addition of the Fair Building
The first Library Fair—originally called “Country Fair”—for the benefit of the Woodstock Club
was held on August 26, 1931. As it was a success, raising $534.31 for the Club’s library operations,
it was recommended that it be made an annual event, which it evidently was since in 2016 the event
is called the 85th Annual Library Fair. 27
The annual Country Fairs…continued to increase in size and importance…The lack of a
collection center of any kind greatly added to the difficulty of managing a fair... 28
As the Fair grew, storage of items used each year, as well as for annually donated items, grew as
well and were scattered between the small half-story attic, tool shed and off-site in “the McTiege
barn.” In 1953 the Methodist Church Hall was a collection point for donated items. Only after two
separate committees had completed reports that addressed this matter in distinctly separate
approaches did the Library Trustees vote to expend the estimated $3,860 to build a 24-by-52-foot
Fair building at the September 1953 Board meeting. Apparently it was a watercolor sketch by John
Pike illustrating the appearance of the building and a site plan showing its location and relationship
to the library, along with the low $3.00 per square foot cost of the structure that gained the
acquiescence of previously skeptical trustees (Fig. 7). That and a statement by Trustee Miss
Wardwell:
The most valuable and precious commodity we have is the cooperative friendship of the town
of Woodstock. Realizing the exhausting and heroic efforts the Library’s friends have made,
we should give them every consideration in making their task lighter. The Fair building
would be a concrete evidence of our appreciation. If we can afford it, we should go ahead
fearlessly. 29
24
Ancestry.com, Federal Censuses 1920, 1930, 1940; The Register of Cornell University, Vol. 19-22 (Ithaca, NY:
Cornell University), p. 223 [Google Books, May 15, 2016].
25
William B. Rhoads, Ulster County New York – The Architectural History & Guide (Delmar, NY: Black Dome Press
Corp., 2011), pp.306-307.
26
Ibid., pp. 295-296, 309-310; Evers, p. 598.
27
Rogers, pp. 60, 112-113; Woodstock Library website: http://www.woodstock.org/85th-annual-woodstock-library-fair/
28
Ibid., p. 98.
29
Ibid., pp. 152-154.
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This simple wood-frame structure, with its front gable roof, wood clapboard siding with a wide
reveal; it retains the original double swing doors on its front (east) façade. Original swing doors on
the north side are no longer operable.
Fig. 7. Phase 3 showing the footprint of the 24¹ X 52¹ Library Fair Building (outlined in purple)
superimposed on the current building footprint.
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Fig. 8. Photo of Library in about 1956 showing the Graeser addition & 1955 Library Fair Building.
Fig. 9. Current photo of Library Fair Building, now used for Friends of the Library book sales.
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IV. PHASE 4 DEVELOPMENT – Addition to the Fair Building & Indoor Toilets
The continued success and demands of the Library Fair increased the need for storage space, which
became evident not long after construction of the Fair Building. Arthur Hansen, President of the
Board at the time of the 1960 Fair said that “…administration of the Fair had been complicated by
inadequacies of the Fair Building.” In particular, space for the hundreds of books that accumulated
between Fairs was needed. This time the Board of Trustees was in full agreement and a plan was
developed which ultimately included the addition of indoor toilets extending from the southwest
corner of the Children’s wing. 30 The east façade has a simple arcaded porch, two overhead garage
doors and siding that matches the Fair Building; the west façade was clad with wood novelty siding.
Fig. 10. 1961 Connection between Library Fair Building & 1955 addition.
Fig. 11. West wall of Library showing seam in wall where
restroom addition was made.
30
Rogers, p.186. The initial restroom improvement was for 2 toilets with a single entrance; this plan was modified on
the interior 20-plus years later to allow for accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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Fig. 12. Phase 4 showing the footprints of the 1961 connection between the Library Fair Building
and new public toilets addition (outlined in gold) superimposed on the current building footprint.
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V. PHASE 5 DEVELOPMENT – Replacement of the Original Hall Dwelling
A bequest from Mrs. Fred Dana Marsh (Mabel Van Alstyne), who died on July 4, 1965, provided
the Woodstock Library the means to expand and bring its quarters up-to-date. In her will, Mrs.
Marsh had stipulated that “15% of the Residuary Estate is to be given to the Woodstock Library for
enlarging the Library.” 31 Kingston resident Fred Johnston, a long-time friend of Mrs. Marsh and
one of the executors of her will attended an executive meeting of the Library Board in August of
1965 and stated that Mrs. Marsh had wanted any addition to the library to conform to its “Colonial
style” and not be ultra-modern. He further relayed to the executive committee that she wanted
Albert Milliken to be the architect. 32
Albert Edward “Ned” Milliken (May 19, 1900 – May 1978) was in his thirtieth year of architectural
practice in Kingston in 1965. He was born in Chicago, the namesake of Albert Edward Milliken,
though he rarely used the suffix “Jr.” The 1900 U.S. Census listed him as the infant son of Milley
Milliken, a single mother who was living in Chicago with her parents, Thomas and Caroline
Witherbee, and brother Thomas, who was a draftsman. By 1910, Milley A. W. Milliken, who was a
native of New York, had moved her three children and her mother to Manhattan where she was
working as a stenographer in a law office. Milliken’s early schooling was at the McBurney School
in New York City and, like Albert Graeser, he received his architectural training at Cornell
University, even graduating the same year (1922). From 1924-1928 Milliken also worked for the
Ithaca architectural firm Gibb & Waltz. 33 However, Milliken was in the ROTC program at Cornell
and was deeply involved with the Drama Club there, designing and executing stage setting and
lighting. 34 He returned to New York City in 1929 to work with Norman Bel Geddes, the stage set
designer, then for a time with architect Henry C. Pelton, and later Polhemas & Coffin Architects. 35
After the 1927 [Kingston] city hall fire, Milliken was employed by the architectural
commission to do all drawings and superintend construction of the rebuilding. In 1931, as a
designer in the Division of Architecture, State Department of Public Works, Milliken
planned the Armory on North Manor Avenue….In 1935 he opened his architectural office in
Kingston, and three years later the Woodstock Playhouse was built according to his plans. 36
Other buildings designed by Milliken in Kingston include the Joseph Levine House (1940); an
antique shop attached to the John Sudam House and facing Wall Street for Fred Johnston (1960);
and remodeled Kingston Savings and Loan Association on Wall Street (1966), now Key Bank. Due
to his ROTC training, would also become involved with the development of military bases during
WW II, achieving the rank of Major in the Air Force. 37
31
Ibid., p. 203.
Ibid., p 204.
33
American Institute of Architects (AIA) online database, The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects
http://public.aia.org/sites/hdoaa/wiki/Wiki%20Pages/What's%20here.aspx; Questionnaire for Architects’ Roster and/or
Register of Architects Qualified for Federal Public Works dated Oct. 21, 1946 by Albert Edward Milliken.
34
1923 Cornell Year Book
35
AIA Questionnaire.
36
William B. Rhoads, Kingston New York – The Architectural Guide (Hensonville, NY: Black Dome Press Corp.,
2003) pp. 188-89.
37
AIA record: Field Engineer Bermuda Base Contractors; Captain, Corps of Engineers; Major, 8th Air Force, Executive
Officer 571st Bomb Squadron (H).
32
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When the commission for expansion of the library came through, the amount of the Marsh bequest
was not immediately known, but by 1966 Milliken had toured the library and in September of that
year a check from the Marsh estate in the amount of $60,000 had been received. After various
alternatives were discussed, it was determined that the original house (excluding the ell) would be
demolished and replaced by a new structure in the Colonial Revival style. 38
This 1967 main building features a symmetrical 3-bay front façade with pedimented center entry
porch with Tuscan columns with the name of the library on the cornice front. Eight-over-twelvelight windows flank the front entry while sidelights and transom of the door surround reinforced the
Colonial style. Completing this image, the building was sided with aluminum clapboard painted
white. 39 The gable roof of the new building has its eave line at the top of the first floor, while the
rear elevation replicated the original 1½-story height of the house. Modest cornices with eve
returns provide subtle architectural detailing. A cross-gabled rear dormer provided head room for a
new stair to the upper story in the northeast corner of the new building. Fig. 13 shows the 1967
building that replaced virtually all that was left of the original dwelling, while Fig. 14 illustrates the
footprint of this modification.
Fig. 13. 2014 photo of the 1967 replacement for the original house; ell retained.
38
Ibid., pp. 207-208. Evers, p. 660: “A bequest from Mrs. Fred Dana Marsh for the enlargement of the library was
interpreted as making it possible to tear down the old house in which Dr. Larry Gilbert Hall had lived and replace it by
another described as Colonial.”
39
After WWII aluminum clapboard was coming into widespread use as original cladding
(http://househomerepair.com/39-Brief-History-of-Aluminum-and-Vinyl-Siding.html).
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Fig. 14. Phase 5, replacement of main block of original house & rear lean-to with 1967 building
(outlined in green) superimposed on current footprint of library building.
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Fig. 15. Aerial view of present library configuration showing
cross-gabled portion of the 1967 construction off rear of main
block, along with subsequent additions (courtesy Bing Maps).
Fig. 16. 2015 photo of 1987 east side addition.
VI. PHASE 6 DEVELOPMENT – Reading Room Extension of 1987
Within a decade of the Library’s reconstruction, it was again running out of room for its expanding
collections and services. A “Space Study Committee” investigated the library’s needs and
considered population projection and likely numbers of books. The committee developed two
plans, both of which took over the Fair Building for the additional needed space, and one of which
relocated the main building entry to the east side facing Library Lane. There was discussion about
buying the strip of land along Tannery Brook from Mr. Boyd, owner of the Lasher Funeral Home at
the time, and creating a space for book sales on that site. 40 Evidently neither of these plans was
acted upon. It would be 1987 before another major addition was completed for a cost of $70,200.
That involved a one-story, 1050-square-foot reading room and book stack area off the east side of
the building, which obscured the 1948 Graeser addition from the vantage point of Library Lane
(Fig. 16).
This most recent addition, which resulted in the current exterior appearance of the library, carried
out the Colonial Revival style of the 1967 building, matching its cornice, eave returns and 8-over-12
windows on the south and north walls. The symmetry of the east façade is not exact, but gives that
impression with a front gable feature having eave returns and two pairs of 6-over-12 sash windows.
Hipped roof “wings,” each with two 6-over-12 windows, flank the middle gabled section. It was
sided with metal clapboard. A later power conduit defaces this portion of the building.
The architect for this phase of development was Elmo John Rovere (1920-1994). He was born and
raised in Manhattan the son of Italian immigrants, John and Zina (Bianchetti) Rovere. 41 No
information about his architectural training was found. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps,
enlisting on January 26, 1942, at age 21, initially with the Marine Air Wings/Pacific in San Diego,
California. From the rank of Private he was promoted to Corporal, then Sergeant and finally as
Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps’ Photographic Squadron before being mustered out in 1946 with
an honorable discharge. 42 Little is known of Rovere’s architectural practice or commissions—one
40
Typed committee report of a “Space Study Meeting” dated Nov. 3, 1977, from Library files.
Ancestry.com, 1925 New York State Census, 1930 Federal Census.
42
Ancestry.com, U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958.
41
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was the Neighborhood House in Tarrytown, New York, designed in 1960. 43 In 1962 he was
accepted as a member of the American Institute of Architects and was enrolled in the Westchester
Chapter of AIA. 44 At that time he was living in Yonkers, New York, but was a Woodstock resident
at the time he designed and supervised construction of the reading room extension.
Fig. 17. Phase 6, Reading Room addition (outlined in yellow) superimposed on current
footprint of library building.
43
44
Google Search on May 19: http://www.theneighborhoodhouse.org/history.html.
1970 Historical Directory of AIA members.
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VII. MINOR ALTERATIONS & INTERIOR RENOVATIONS
In 1986 an additional exit from the second floor was constructed to address fire safety issues. This
involved constructing a stairway in the southwest corner of the 1967 building, taking space from the
circulation area and having an exit directly to the exterior on the west side of that section. Also in
1986, the steps up to Library were removed and a ramp/sidewalk was constructed to improve
accessibility. 45 By 1991 the Library Board determined the building needed additional upgrades.
Air conditioning, parking and handicapped accessible toilets were required. Architect Peter R.
Hoffmann was hired to develop a renovation plan for these improvements. The number of public
commodes was reduced from two to one; this plan took several years to implement and the layout
remains in place today. 46 New “through wall” and “split system” air conditioning units were
installed in 1993.
Architect Peter Hoffmann (b. 1947) of Marlboro, New York, began his career in architecture in
1970 working for Fudge, Underhill and Battoglia, a firm that specialized in the design and
construction of educational facilities throughout the Southern-Tier and lower Hudson Valley. At
the time of Hoffmann’s tenure, the firm had offices in Elmira and Fishkill, New York. In 1988, Mr.
Hoffmann opened his own architectural practice in Marlboro, which continued to specialize in
public works projects including libraries, school districts, municipalities, firehouses, providing
feasibility studies, master planning, site selection, property evaluation, code evaluations,
professional witness services, design, and construction services. 47
VIII. LIBRARY REAL ESTATE
Since the purchase of the former Hall Dwelling in 1927, there have been two additions to the real
property owned by the Woodstock Library. On Dec. 3, 1957, Victor N. & Edith L. Lasher
conveyed the present front lawn of the library, containing .290 acres of land, to the Woodstock
Library Association. The deed for this transaction reserved a 10-foot-wide easement for a 24ºdiameter drainage pipe that served to cover over a previously open stream running from the Lasher
property eastward to Tannery Brook. The deed also restricts use of this property to library use only,
but does allow for library expansion. 48
The second parcel is located east of the library building across Library Lane and spans Tannery
Brook. It contains .12 acres and was purchased in 2012 from Ulster County, which had received it
for unpaid taxes. 49 A former laundromat building (vacant) occupied the property at the time it was
purchased and has since been demolished. Five 90-degree parking spaces are located on the site
and used by library patrons (Fig. 19).
45
Library file with document dated June 19, 1986.
Library files with specifications for “Accessible Toilet Renovations” dated July 15, 1993, and a “Maintenance
Manual for Accessible Bathroom Renovations” dated June 6, 1995.
47
Background information provided in 2016 proposal submitted by Peter R. Hoffmann, Architect, for the Woodstock
Library’s Master Facilities Plan project in response to a Request for Proposals issued on March 3, 2016.
48
Library file.
49
Ulster County Deeds: Book 5361, Page 228, dated July 13, 2016.
46
An Architectural & Historical Overview of the Woodstock Library – Larson Fisher Associates - May 2016 - Page 19 of 21
Fig. 18. Photo taken January 2016; view from front of library toward Tinker Street showing the front
lawn & “Library Lake.”
Fig. 19. Photo taken May 2016; view of westerly portion of 6 Library Lane site.
An Architectural & Historical Overview of the Woodstock Library – Larson Fisher Associates - May 2016 - Page 20 of 21
IX. ANALYSIS / SUMMARY
Three generations of Woodstock residents, as well as residents of outlying areas, visitors and
owners of second homes have grown up with this building being a center of education, culture and
entertainment in the town. It is this shared memory and history of the Library that has created a
strong sense of nostalgia when contemplating the physical structure. By contrast, little historic
fabric of the original historic building remains, which the foregoing documentation demonstrates.
The main section of the building is nearly 50 years old, having been constructed in 1967, the
standard by which listing on the National Register of Historic Places is possible. 50 However,
because of subsequent changes after that date it is doubtful that the building could be individually
eligible for the Register. The library building would, however, contribute to a Woodstock Hamlet
Historic District, should one be nominated to the National Register. 51 This evaluation is based upon
the scale and style of the building in its present form being compatible with the surrounding built
environment. 52
The library lawn, with its frontage on Tinker Street/Rt. 212, also has strong emotional ties for the
community, particularly since it has been the site of the annual Library Fair for 84 years to date.
The shady green expanse has been a public space used and cherished by people of all ages since the
Library came to occupy the building in 1927. Indeed it has been immortalized by numerous artists
in paintings since they began flocking to Woodstock in the earliest years of the 20th century (Fig.
1). Due to the geography of the lawn, it has also served as a stormwater retention pond—
colloquially referred to as the “Library Lake” (Fig. 18).
The findings of this documentation reflects the fact that the building itself has little architectural
significance. While at least two of the architects responsible for the building have some local
significance—Graeser and Milliken—in the first instance only the west wall on the exterior is
visible along with noteworthy interior spaces of his addition, and in the second, the 1967 building is
not an outstanding example of his design work, certainly not enough to convey historical
significance.
50
Building Structure Inventory by NYS OPRHP [Historic Structures Inventory] dated May 3, 1991, Notes additions in
1949, 1969, 1989 & ref. Story of a Small Town Library, 1974, and items of significance: “Only a small portion of the
original building is left. It is believed to be part of one of the oldest houses in the village. It was considered to be 100
years old in 1885 when it was purchased by Lasher following the death of Dr. Hall’s widow.”
51
On June 18, 2015, Jennifer Betsworth, Historic Preservation Specialist with the New York State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO) toured the Woodstock Hamlet with Town Historian Richard Heppner, Town Supervisor Jeremy Wilber
and Jill Fisher to review the potential for the area being eligible for listing on the National Register and received a
favorable response.
52
Secretary of Interior’s Standards, National Park Service, Standards for Historic Districts.
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