Plummer Memorial Library
Why it's listed
Plummer Memorial Library is a small brick branch library at 375 Auburn Street, on the southwestern edge of Auburndale's village center in Newton. Built in 1927 to designs by the Boston firm Smith & Walker, it is an L-shaped, one-and-a-half-story building in the Tudor Revival style. Brick laid in English bond is trimmed with limestone, and a slate gable roof carries half-timbering in the gable ends. A projecting gabled porch marks the entry, with a cupola above it on the roof ridge. Planning began in the early 1920s, and the cornerstone was laid in July 1927. The Plummer family and the city provided the land, and the community raised $47,000 for construction. It was one of five branch libraries built and donated to the city between 1925 and 1939, reflecting the city's growth. A children's wing designed by Edgar T.P. Walker was added to the rear in 1948. The library remains in use and in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of five branch libraries built in Newton's village centers between 1925 and 1939, reflecting the city's growing size and stature. It is also a well-designed example of Tudor Revival style applied to a small branch library. It retains integrity and meets criteria A and C.
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 90000036, listed February 16, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 375 Auburn St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | February 16, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000036 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Smith & Walker, Architects of Boston, in conjunction with E. C. Redstone; 1948 children's wing by Edgar T.P. Walker |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a library; condition described as excellent, with a 1948 children's wing and a replacement plate glass door. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.34636, -71.24931 (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 90000036.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7205441
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.