Princeton Public Library

Granite
clocks
and
bells
The Princeton library is simply amazing. Not just impressive or kind of cool but just amazing. Difficult to come up with the proper adjectives to describe this library, especially consider what an itty, bitty little town Princeton is.
The library’s beginning was in 1884 when the generous and obviously very wealthy Edward Goodnow gave some money to have a library built. Actually Goodnow wanted a building built to be part library and part school. Another school for the kids was built around 1900 so the library took over the entire building.
And what a building it is. Made of rose tinted granite and framed by brownstone, the building includes a huge clock tower with a thousand pound bell that still rings out every single hour.
The site was selected because it had a great view and the library is indeed an imposing and stunning sight as you enter into the very, small town of Princeton.
Once inside it just gets better. An incredible spiral staircase, the only one I have ever seen in a library is just the start. Lovely stained glass, great old pictures and some wonderful antique furniture is scattered about along with great wooden shelves and doors.
Had to describe a library this wonderful. What made it even better were the two sweet and friendly librarians that took the time the tell us all about the incredible library that they were so proud of. I don’t know if any library can ever be called perfect for everybody. But the stunning library in the tiny town of Princeton is as close to perfect as I’ve yet seen.