Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object |
Negative, Glass plate |
Photographer |
White, Wills Thomas |
Date |
1917 |
Location |
Vermont, Bennington, East Main Street |
Description |
Bennington Free Library building on corner of East Main and Silver Streets. Large two-story brick building with an automobile on left of photo. "Free Library" painted in large letters on front of building. Also signs for "S. Chartoff, Ladies & Gents Tailor" on the first floor and the American Red Cross' emblem is on every second floor window (8) along with other World War I era posters. Banners on Silver Street side of building for, "Bennington Branch American Red Cross" and underneath, "The National League for Women's Services". |
Information |
The Renaissance Revival style brick Bennington Free Library building, on the southeast corner of Main and Silver Streets, was built in the 1865. The library and a meeting hall, which had a stage and functioned as a multi-purpose community meeting place, were located on the second story and were operated by the YMCA. The first story was used as offices and commercial spaces, which provided income for the library. After the United States entered World War I in April 1917 the Bennington Branch of the Red Cross was established and every woman in Bennington was invited to join. The Red Cross was given the use of the Bennington Free Library Hall on the second floor as a headquarters for the summer and their signs and banners can be seen prominently in this image. |
Related People |
White, Wills Thomas |
Subjects |
World War, 1914-1918 |
Credit line |
Weichert-Isselhardt Collection, Gift of Tordis llg Isselhardt and Museum Purchase |
Catalog Number |
2015.6.203 |