Mary Willis Library
Why it's listed
Mary Willis Library occupies the corner of East Liberty and South Jefferson Streets in Washington, Georgia. Atlanta architect Edmund G. Lind designed the red brick building in 1888 in the High Victorian, Queen Anne manner, with asymmetrical massing, molded chimneys, an irregular roofline and a corner turret. Bands of stone, terra cotta inserts and painted gables add color and texture, while the interior has pine beams and moldings, patterned brick fireplaces and stained glass windows dedicated to Mary Willis. Dr. Francis T. Willis funded the building in memory of his daughter. The library, founded in 1888, was Georgia's first free town and county library, and it was listed for that distinction and for its architecture, which is unusual for the area. Lind's original lithograph design survives in the collection, and the building appears largely as drawn. It also forms an impressive entrance to the Water-Liberty Street district and complements nearby brick business buildings.
Significance in brief: The library, founded in 1888, was Georgia's first free town and county library. Its building is an exceptionally fine example of High Victorian picturesque eclecticism, unique in this area of Georgia. It also marks an impressive entrance to the Water-Liberty Street district and complements the brick business buildings along Jefferson Street.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000407, listed April 11, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E. Liberty and S. Jefferson Sts., Washington |
|---|---|
| County | Wilkes County |
| Listed | April 11, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000407 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1888) |
| Architect / builder | Edmund G. Lind |
| Architectural style | High Victorian, Queen Anne (High Victorian picturesque eclecticism) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, unaltered, on its original site, and occupied and in use as a library; additions of stacks and expanded facilities were being planned. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Washington Historic District |
| Coordinates | 33.73485, -82.73876 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000407.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6780967
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.