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Chidsey Library

Coordinates: 27°20′32″N 82°32′51″W / 27.3423°N 82.5476°W / 27.3423; -82.5476
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Chidsey Library
Front of Chidsey Library
Front of Chidsey Library
Map
Alternative namesChidsey Building
General information
TypeGovernment library
Architectural style
Address701 North Tamiami Trail
Town or citySarasota, Florida
CountryUnited States
Coordinates27°20′32″N 82°32′51″W / 27.3423°N 82.5476°W / 27.3423; -82.5476
Named forJohn and Ida Chidsey
Construction startedMay 12, 1941 (1941-05-12)[1]
InauguratedNovember 13, 1941
OwnerSarasota
Technical details
Floor count2
Design and construction
Architect(s)
Architecture firmMartin Studio of Architecture
Chidsey Library
Chidsey Library is located in Florida
Chidsey Library
Chidsey Library is located in the United States
Chidsey Library
NRHP reference No.11000241[2]
Added to NRHPMay 4, 2011

The Chidsey Library or Chidsey Building is a historic building located in Sarasota, Florida at 701 North Tamiami Trail. The building was home to the city's first public library from 1941 to 1976.

History

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The library's Mediterranean Revival design was done by Martin Studio of Architecture consisting of Thomas Reed Martin and Frank C. Martin.[2] The Chidsey Library opened in May 1941 as the Sarasota's first public library building.[1] The building was dedicated to John and Ida Chidsey in November 1941 as they made the building possible by helping pay for the majority of the cost for the project, which was approximately $25,000,[3] equivalent to $400,000 in 2023.[4] The library held approximately 18,000 books in 1946.[5]

In 1974, Sarasota County assumed responsibility for maintaining all public county libraries. The building was used as a library until 1976, when library operations moved to Selby Library at the former GWIZ building located at 1001 Boulevard of the Arts.[1] Sarasota County Historical Resources moved into a portion of the Chidsey Library.[5] The county's Historical Resources fully occupied the Chidsey Building in 1998, when library operations moved to its current location at Selby Public Library.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on May 4, 2011.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Shank, Ann A. "The Chidsey Library". Sarasota History Alive!. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "National Register Information System – Chidsey Library (#11000241)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  3. ^ "About the Chidsey Library Building". Friends of Sarasota County History Center, Inc. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  5. ^ a b Salmond, Jessica (October 2, 2014). "Historical Commission strives to expand in historic library building". Sarasota Observer. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
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Media related to Chidsey Library at Wikimedia Commons