Givin, Amelia S., Free Library
Also known as: Mount Holly Springs Public Library
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 and dedicated on January 2, 1890, the Amelia S. Givin Free Library is a one-story Romanesque Revival building on North Baltimore Avenue in Mt. Holly Springs. Pittsburgh architect James T. Steen designed it with broad round arches, a two-story conical-roofed tower, and walls of sandstone and brick. Amelia Givin funded the library from wealth derived from family paper mills and rug factories, and it was the first public library in Cumberland County. Its main reading room features oak Moorish fretwork partitions, a patented technique that the library's interior woodwork maker, C.S. Ransom & Company of Cleveland, produced. The original interior, including the fretwork, tile floor and fireplaces, remains largely intact. A 1987 brick addition to the east holds the stacks and a meeting room, and the library has operated continuously since it opened.
Significance in brief: The library is significant as the first public library in Cumberland County and as a well-preserved example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style in the borough. Its interior includes oak Moorish fretwork partitions, which the nomination describes as remarkably intact. The building is also tied to the philanthropy of Amelia S. Givin, who funded it from family paper-mill wealth.
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 04000841, listed August 11, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 114 N. Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | August 11, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000841 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1889-1954 |
| Architect / builder | Steen, James T. (architect); Rice, George (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian; Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous public library use since its construction; original exterior and interior features are described as well maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.11637, -77.18888 (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 04000841.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4742302
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.