Kings Daughters Public Library
Why it's listed
This two-story library at Main and Allison Streets in Haverstraw opened on May 14, 1903, and has operated as a library ever since. Built of locally made Haverstraw brick, it was designed and built by local architect William H. Parkton. Its rounded southeast corner holds the main entrance, and large arched windows light the adult reading room on the first floor and the children's room above. Carved limestone brackets and a garlanded frieze, along with sandstone quoins, give it Classical and Renaissance Revival character. Brickyard owner Denton Fowler donated $10,000 toward the building, and the King's Daughters Society, a charitable women's organization, raised matching funds. The library reflects the prosperity that brickmaking brought to the village. Inside, the original plan, fireplaces, woodwork, stairway and bookshelves survive. A west wing added in 1983 was designed to protect the original building and does not count as historic. The property also includes a stone retaining wall along its street edges.
Significance in brief: The library is an intact example of a small turn-of-the-century public library that combines Renaissance and Classical Revival features. It was built through the King's Daughters Society and the Fowler family of brickyard owners during Haverstraw's brickmaking prosperity. It has served as a library continuously since 1903.
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 91000950, listed August 9, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Main and Allison Sts., Haverstraw |
|---|---|
| County | Rockland County |
| Listed | August 9, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000950 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903 |
| Architect / builder | William H. Parkton |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals (Classical Revival and Renaissance Revival features) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous use as a library since 1903; the 1983 west wing is noncontributing. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.19660, -73.96040 (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 91000950.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5683869
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.