Sherman Free Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1888 on Church Street in Port Henry, this brick library was a gift from George R. Sherman, a director of the mining firm Witherbee, Sherman and Company. Designed by architect S. Gifford Slocum and built by Case Brothers, it is a T-shaped, 1-1/2 story building with steep slate gabled roofs, a rusticated stone foundation, deep round-arched windows and terracotta detailing under the eaves. A rear addition was completed in 1907 and carefully matched the original design. Inside, oak paneling, shelving, tables and brass fixtures remain largely original, and a mezzanine in the addition is carried on slender Doric columns. The library is considered important as an intact example of Richardsonian Romanesque-inspired civic architecture and as evidence of how mining wealth supported education and culture in Port Henry. It is the oldest surviving library in Moriah and the only building there constructed specifically to house a public library. Sherman also endowed it so that it would be self-supporting.
Significance in brief: The library is a well-preserved example of Richardsonian Romanesque-inspired civic architecture. It represents the educational and cultural development of Port Henry and its ties to the local iron mining industry. It is the oldest surviving library in Moriah and the only building ever constructed there expressly as a public library. It was donated by mining executive George R. Sherman.
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 95000595, listed June 1, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4 Church St., Town of Moriah, Port Henry |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 1, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000595 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888 - 1907 |
| Architect / builder | S. GIFFORD SLOCUM, architect; CASE BROTHERS, builders |
| Architectural style | LATE VICTORIAN/Romanesque |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function are both listed as library; the interior is described as almost entirely original. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.04768, -73.46011 (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 95000595.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7495172
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.