Pratt Historic Building
Also known as: Paul Pratt Memorial Library; Cohasset Free Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1902-03 at 106 South Main Street in Cohasset, this buff brick library was designed by local architect Edward Nichols as the Paul Pratt Memorial Library. It follows a modified Greek cross plan, with a hipped slate roof, a pedimented portico with four Ionic columns, and a wooden tower topped by an octagonal lantern. The lantern lights a central rotunda holding four murals of Cohasset history, painted by Boston artist MacIvor Reddie and completed in 1946. Inside, the ground floor keeps its original layout, woodwork, molded plaster cornices and a fireplace. A four-story fireproofed bookstack with Luxfer prism glass transoms shows early library design. A two-story brick addition was built in 1963-64. The building served as the town library for about a century until a new library opened in a former school on Ripley Road. In 2003 the Cohasset Historical Society bought it for its headquarters and added two basement apartments in 2004.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the building as a well-preserved example of an early 20th-century Colonial Revival library, with intact interior woodwork, plaster detail and a fireproofed bookstack that reflects library building technology of its time. It also served for a century as Cohasset's library and holds four historical murals of the town painted by MacIvor Reddie in 1946.
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 06000816, listed September 7, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 106-110 South Main St., Cohasset |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | September 7, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000816 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Edward Nichols (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture, Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Cohasset Historical Society since 2003 as its headquarters; the basement holds two apartments and storage. The building is described as generally in good condition and little altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.23849, -70.79948 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 06000816.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7238759
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.