Struthers Library Building
Also known as: Library Theatre
Why it's listed
Red brick building in Warren, Pennsylvania, measuring 162 feet by 73 feet, built in 1882 and 1883 by Thomas Struthers, a local industrialist. Its three sections house a theatre auditorium, a public library, a Masonic hall and street-level shops, with a tower on the southeast corner that dominates the skyline. The building was designed to serve as the town's cultural center, housing an opera house, a library and museum-type displays of local collections. Touring companies, opera, legitimate theatre and concerts were staged there for decades. The theatre was remodeled in 1919 by the New York firm Wetmore and Warren, which removed the original ornate interior. Its exterior is little changed from the 1880s and is regarded as a fine example of Victorian architecture. The Struthers building is listed for its architectural merit and for its role in the cultural life of Warren over several generations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is architecturally significant as a fine example of Victorian architecture and culturally significant as the center of Warren's public and performing arts life. It housed an opera house, public library, museum-type displays and touring performances for decades. The nomination also notes its role as a reminder of the town's cultural past.
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 75001671, listed October 10, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3rd Ave. and Liberty St., Warren |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | October 10, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001671 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1883 |
| Architectural style | Victorian architecture; Italianate windows; Renaissance-derived massing |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The theatre remains in use under lease to a movie operator, the library is used for storage by the Warren County Library Association, and first-floor spaces are in local retail use; the upper floors are not in public use. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Warren Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.84676, -79.14829 (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 75001671.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7625432
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.