NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. 1. Name of Property Historic name: Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library (additional documentation) Other names/site number: ______________________________________ Name of related multiple property listing: N/A (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Location Street & number: 201 East Capitol Street, S.E. City or town: Washington State: DC County: ____________ Not For Publication: Vicinity: ____________________________________________________________________________ 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination ___ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property ___ meets ___ does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: ___national ___statewide ___local Applicable National Register Criteria: ___A ___B ___C ___D Signature of certifying official/Title: Date ______________________________________________ State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting official: Date Title : State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government _____ 1 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library Washington, D.C. Name of Property County and State ________________________________________________________________________ 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register determined eligible for the National Register determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain:) _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Signature of the Keeper Date of Action ____________________________________________________________________________ 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply.) Private: X Public – Local Public – State Public – Federal Category of Property (Check only one box.) Building(s) X District Site Structure Object Sections 1-6 page 2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library Washington, D.C. Name of Property County and State Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count) Contributing Noncontributing ______1______ _____________ buildings _____________ _____________ sites _____________ _____________ structures _____________ _____________ objects _____1_______ ______________ Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register ____1____ ____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) EDUCATION: Library RECREATION AND CULTURE: Theater RECREATION AND CULTURE: Museum Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) EDUCATION: Library RECREATION AND CULTURE: Theater RECREATION AND CULTURE: Museum _____________________________________________________________________________ 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions.) MODERN MOVEMENT: Art Deco Materials: (enter categories from instructions.) Principal exterior materials of the property: Georgia marble, glazed brick, aluminum, steel, glass, concrete Section 7 page 3 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library Washington, D.C. Name of Property County and State Narrative Description ______________________________________________________________________________ Summary Paragraph The Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library was completed in 1932 to house the renowned Shakespeareana collection of Henry Clay and Emily Jordan Folger. A massive block of masonry with bold, yet carefully restrained, ornamentation, the building is sited one block to the east of the U.S. Capitol Grounds. The Folger Library occupies Lot 31 of Square 760, facing East Capitol Street between Second and Third Streets, S.E., in Washington, D.C. (Figure 1). The building was designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret in a style the architect referred to as “New Classicism,” but which is also often referred to as Stripped Classicism. Considered one of the most significant buildings of the twentieth century, the Folger presents Cret’s modern interpretation of classicism: a combination of the streamlined aesthetic of the Art Moderne style with classically-influenced materials and sculptural ornament that contains a historicist interior tied directly to the building’s purpose as a library dedicated to the works and times of William Shakespeare. The building has a concrete foundation and a steel structural frame encased in masonry. In keeping with the stripped classical aesthetic, the primary elevations of the building are clad in white, Georgia marble ashlar, primarily in alternating rows of larger and smaller panels. In addition, the library building features a modern interpretation of the classical entablature, which encircles the building at the roofline. The entablature consists of a marble architrave embellished by a sunk-relief lotus motif, above which is a wide frieze band composed of three rows of ashlar, and a cornice of small vertical blocks resembling dentils. Windows are typically steel-framed, fixed-light with aluminum accents and detailing, while doors are solid aluminum. Bas relief ornament presents an innovative use of aluminum. The building’s principal elevation faces north and is set back approximately 50 feet from East Capitol Street. Constructed on concrete footings, the building’s dimensions are approximately 48 feet high, 227 feet wide, and 112 feet deep. It measures three stories plus a raised basement, although divisions between floors are not expressed on all exterior elevations. It is covered by a flat roof that is concealed by a low, stepped parapet. The building was originally constructed with a U-shaped plan; an addition was built onto the south (rear) elevation of the library in 1983, filling the rear courtyard. In contrast to the modern exterior, the interior of the building largely reflects the architectural interior styles of the Tudor and Jacobean periods (1485-1625) through the use of elements such as decorative oak paneling, stone floors, and four-centered archways. Upon entering the building, the contrast between the modern exterior and period interior gives the visitor the sense of visiting the world of Shakespeare. Adhering to the programmatic requirements specified by the Folgers, the principal interior spaces consist of a Reading Room (now the Gail Kern Paster Reading Room), Theatre, Exhibition Gallery (now referred to as the Great Hall but referred to by its historic name in this application), and Founder’s Room. These spaces, all intact, display a high degree of integrity of design and superior craftsmanship. Ancillary spaces from the Section 7 page 4 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Folger Shakespeare Memorial Library Washington, D.C. Name of Property County and State original period of construction and the New Reading Room, added in 1983 and outside of the Period of Significance, complete the interior spaces.1 ___________________________________________________________________ Narrative Description Figure 1. Current satellite view of the Folger Shakespeare Library (Google) SITE The Folger Library occupies a prominent, one-acre site only one block east of the United States Capitol Grounds. A rectangular-shaped terrace containing a shallow lawn, which measures approximately 25 feet wide by 135 feet long, extends along the north elevation of the building. An additional strip of lawn, measuring approximately 15 feet by 135 feet, occupies the space between this terrace and the East Capitol Street sidewalk. These lawns are framed to either side by the broad marble steps that lead to the East and West Lobby entrances. To the west of the building, a U-shaped, asphalt drive with a granite curb leads from Second Street up to the west elevation of the building. This drive is currently utilized by Folger employees as a parking