Andrea Burns, center, is pictured with Auburn Public Library’s Building Committee Chairman Richard Whiting and Library Director Rosemary Waltos at the 2007 statewide historic preservation honor awards ceremony.

Library garners statewide award for preservation

BANGOR – The Auburn Public Library received a 2007 statewide historic preservation honor award for excellence in preservation, restoration and compatible new addition design from the Maine Preservation Society on May 11.

The award was received at an evening ceremony at the historic Society Hall on State Street. The award, presented by Andrea Burns of Norway, vice president of the Maine Preservation board, was accepted by Richard Whiting, Auburn Public Library Building Committee chairman, and Rosemary Waltos, library director.

Today’s Auburn Public Library, standing at the gateway to Auburn’s downtown, is a restored building, with an addition designed to be sympathetic to the original 1904 Carnegie Building.

The building’s architectural style is French Renaissance with Romanesque accents influenced by the work of H.H. Richardson, and designed by Lewiston’s William R. Miller.

The library’s 2006 renovation and addition project doubled the size of the building. The additional/renovation project architect was Stahl Associates and Burt Hill, Boston, and Auburn’s H.E. Callahan was its construction manager.

Other LA projects, both in Lewiston, receiving Maine Preservation awards were the Supply Company Building, located at 415 Lisbon St., for excellence in rehabilitation and restoration and Eric and Carrie Agren, Lewiston, for excellence in multiple use rehabilitation and restoration of Lyceum Hall, located at 49 Lisbon St.