Heritage and Public Library - Lac Brome's Example

Pettes Memorial Library is the oldest free rural library in the Province of Québec.

Lac Brome's population (Statistics Canada, 2006): 5629

History

After the death of Nathaniel Pettes, his widow, Narcissa Pettes (1821-1902), decided to have a library built in memory of her husband and family. This gift was the basis of the creation of the first free public library in rural Quebec. The library was officially opened in March of 1894.

Architecture

The library retains an exceptional style, which is apparent in its Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. This style was developed by the American architect Henry Hobson Richardson during the industrialization of the 19th century. He designed various buildings using historical styles such as the Queen Ann, the Neo-Gothic, and the Italian Renaissance style.

http://www.cclacbrome.com/pagesen/KnowltonBromeLaketours.htm

http://pettes.ca/