Maine Historical Society Library
Maine Historical Society Library
Portland, Maine
The expansion of the Alida Carroll and John Marshall Brown Library, the research library of the Maine Historical Society, is the first phase of Schwartz/Silver’s master plan for the institution. The 1907 library has been restored, and is linked to a future museum by a corridor under the garden. At the rear of the old building, a 1960 addition was removed, and a new three-story wing takes its place. The new wing houses rare books in compact storage and a temperature- and humidity-controlled conservation environment. Behind the glassy west façade, offices and meeting rooms overlook the restored garden.
Recognition
Honor Award, Maine Preservation
Best in New and Renovated Library Facilities Award, American Libraries Magazine
“Schwartz/Silver was an ideal partner in the renovation and expansion of our historic research library. They were wonderful collaborators and deeply sensitive to our organization’s needs and the context of our site and campus. The project has been transformative for MHS—the physical space Schwartz/Silver designed is beautiful, inspiring, and communicates the importance of all aspects of our endeavor.”
Collaborators
Contractor: Consigli Construction Co.
MEP/FP Consultant: TMP Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Structural Engineer: Becker Structural Engineers, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Sebago Technics
Landscape Architect: Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture
Historic Landscape: Pressley Associates, Inc.
Acoustical Engineer: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Inc.
Cost Estimator: KV Associates
Millwork: Windham Millwork Inc.
Storage Systems: Systematics Inc.
Photographer: © Brian Vanden Brink
