Flint Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1891 at 2 North Main Street, this red brick library is a Richardsonian Romanesque building in the center of Middleton. It rises 1½ stories from a rusticated brownstone foundation to a slate hip roof, with a clock tower, a broad sandstone entry arch and a round tower on the south side. Boston architects George Loring and Stanford Phipps designed it, using money left by Charles L. Flint, a Middleton native who had urged the town in 1879 to create a free public library. Before the building opened in 1892, the collection was kept in a room at Town Hall. Stained glass windows by Donald MacDonald, cypress interior trim, the book stacks and original weight-driven clock survive. It is the only building in Middleton in this style and has served as the town library for over a century. Grounds memorials honor local veterans, and the site may hold archaeological remains of the earlier Fuller estate.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the library is significant for its link to Middleton's late 19th-century development and as an intact example of Richardsonian Romanesque design, the only one in town. It was the town's first public library building and has served that role for over 100 years. It also retains original features and stained glass by Donald MacDonald.
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 02000631, listed June 14, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2 N. Main St., Middleton |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 14, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000631 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Loring & Phipps (architects); Smith & Meany (builders) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque (Richardsonian Romanesque) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a public library; well preserved with only minor alterations, including a 1980 basement children's room and 1990 entry changes. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.59492, -71.01655 (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 02000631.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5459548
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.