World War Memorial Library
Also known as: Corning City Club
Why it's listed
Built in 1897 as the Corning City Club, this brick building at 149 Pine Street in Corning, New York, was designed by the Elmira firm Pierce and Bickford. A fire in 1926 gutted the interior, and in 1929 architect Palmer Rogers directed its reconstruction as a public library and a memorial to Corning residents lost in World War I. Rogers added a colossal Ionic portico to the east facade and rebuilt the gambrel roof, which is covered in slate. Inside, Philippine mahogany paneling, a memorial fireplace honoring John Patchall Eaton and a children's room with painted tiles remain from the reconstruction. A memorial window by Frederick Carder was later moved to the Rockwell Museum. The library relocated downtown in 1976, and the building was leased to Steuben County for offices. It was listed for its architectural qualities as a classically inspired civic landmark that blends Colonial Revival and Classical Revival elements.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a distinguished example of classically inspired civic architecture in Corning, combining Colonial Revival and Classical Revival elements. It was designed by the Elmira firm Pierce and Bickford and rebuilt after a 1926 fire under architect Palmer Rogers. It also serves as a memorial to Corning's World War I dead.
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 95000361, listed March 31, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 149 Pine St., Corning |
|---|---|
| County | Steuben County |
| Listed | March 31, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000361 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1897-1929 |
| Architect / builder | Pierce and Bickford Architects; Palmer Rogers, Architect |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival; Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied by Steuben County government offices after the library moved out in 1976; the nomination notes some deterioration but a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Southside Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.14179, -77.05547 (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 95000361.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8036465
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.