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George G. Chiodo | profile | all galleries >> The Seasons >> Fall 2013 >> Downingtown Library tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Downingtown Library

On December 2, 2013 I spent some time in and around the Downingtown Library building photographing this historic building.
This three story stone building dates to 1800, was part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, and became the town's library in 1914.

One of the librarians asked me to take some photos of this much-loved and much-used historic building located at 330 Lancaster Avenue,
the oldest part of the Borough of Downingtown.

The interior of the historic Downingtown Library has so many wonderful features, including original millwork, moldings, doors, latches, banisters, stairways.
However, much of this is hidden due to it overflowing use as a modern day library.
Still, by stopping and looking closely one can appreciate the fine workmanship of how this building was constructed in 1800.

In some parts of the library the lighting was so irregular with florescent on part of the photo and incandescent in another part of the same photo that the white balance was so tricky
I felt going B&W was my only solution, but still really showed off the features and beauty of this much loved and much used historic building.
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Downingtown Library in Snow
Downingtown Library in Snow		 The exterior of this handsome building on Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown, PA.
The exterior of this handsome building on Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown, PA.		 The front entrance to the library. (557)
The front entrance to the library. (557)		 The front entrance to the library. (554)
The front entrance to the library. (554)		 A detail of the stonework and original shutter.
A detail of the stonework and original shutter.		 The side doorway which has been converted to an after hours book drop.
The side doorway which has been converted to an after hours book drop.
Outside the front entrance is the original boot scrapper
Outside the front entrance is the original boot scrapper 		Shelving, the American Flay, the old wood floor, an old radiator, and some local high school art on display...
Shelving, the American Flay, the old wood floor, an old radiator, and some local high school art on display...		 The library was constantly busy with visitors and the librarians always working on library tasks.
The library was constantly busy with visitors and the librarians always working on library tasks.		 This is the original front door dating to 1800.
This is the original front door dating to 1800.		 The original front door's latch.
The original front door's latch.		 Another latch on the front door. The piece from the left is missing.
Another latch on the front door. The piece from the left is missing.
Every room has a fireplace in it, though they have all be closed
Every room has a fireplace in it, though they have all be closed		 Thick stone walls and some of the wide moldings.
Thick stone walls and some of the wide moldings.		 The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (29)
The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (29)		 The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (31)
The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (31)		 The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (43)
The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (43)		 The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (34)
The banister built into the wall with some of the beautifully milled woodwork. (34)
The second floor banister.
The second floor banister. 		One of the second floor doorknobs.
One of the second floor doorknobs.		 The stairway is just outstanding!
The stairway is just outstanding!		 The stairway is just fantastic!
The stairway is just fantastic!		 A small room midway between the first and second floors which not serves as a restroom
A small room midway between the first and second floors which not serves as a restroom		 Looking down from the midway landing of the stairway.
Looking down from the midway landing of the stairway.
A second floor door knob.
A second floor door knob.		 This is the closed-in fireplace in the children's reading room on the second floor.
This is the closed-in fireplace in the children's reading room on the second floor.		 This is the millwork on the closed-in fireplace in the children's reading room on the second floor.
This is the millwork on the closed-in fireplace in the children's reading room on the second floor.

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