The Ingalls Memorial Library in Rindge has officially been added to the list of historic buildings in the state.
The New Hampshire State Historical Resources Council officially added the Ingalls Memorial Library to the NH State Register of Historic Places, according to Roberta Gordenstein, a member of the library’s board of trustees and the Ingalls 1894 Association.
“This is a big deal and we’re really excited about this,” said Gordenstein. “The historic designation gives a certain cachet to the building and the town, showing that the building is worthy of renovation and preservation.”
Gordenstein said the hope is that the historic designation will incline residents to donate money to the Ingalls 1894 Association, the non-profit organization working to raise $1.2 million for a renovations project, which includes an extension to the ground and first floor.
“With the historic designation and a new library director, we are hoping to have more enthusiasm than ever around the library,” said Gordenstein. “Hopefully people are excited about the project and willing to donate.”
To date, Gordenstein said about $250,000 has been raised. Much of the current round of fundraising involves sending out mailers.
The Ingalls Memorial Library was constructed in 1984-1895 by well-known Fitchburg, Massachusetts architect Henry Martyn Francis, and was dedicated in June 1985, according to a report commissioned by the Ingalls 1894 Association. The report was completed by Mae Williams and was used to get the library’s historic designation.
The library, serving as the first dedicated library in Rindge, was dedicated in honor of Thomas Ingalls, the former land owner of the site where the library now resides. The building was given to the town of Rindge by Rodney Wallace, who was married to Ingalls’ daughter, Sophia.
Renovation projects include an addition to the rear of the building in 1972 and an another addition with site and elevator work in 2001.
“We hope to offer more space, which will provide an opportunity for more programming and a place for townspeople to gather,” said Gordenstein.
To donate to the library renovation project, checks can be sent to the Ingalls 1894 Association at PO Box 224 in Rindge.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.