Description

YORK

SE6052SW MUSEUM STREET
1112-1/27/790 (North West side)
Central Library

GV II

Public and Reference Libraries. 1927, 1938 extension; some
later alteration. By Brierley and Rutherford.
MATERIALS: red brick in English bond, rusticated on ground
floor and with rusticated brick quoins on first floor; moulded
stone plinth; ashlar orders; ashlar doorcase, partly
rusticated, dressings and cornice. Hipped roofs of Westmorland
slate.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys; 3-bay projecting centre block flanked by
3-bay angled wings. In centre bay, open pedimented Doric
doorcase with triglyph frieze blocks has panelled doubled
doors and fanlight in keyed round-arched architrave with
moulded imposts: flanking bays have small 1-light windows.
Ionic centrepiece on first floor has centre bay recessed
behind detached columns, outer bays flanked by antae: full
entablature with pulvinated frieze and plain parapet extends
on each side. Staircase window in centre is round-arched in
eared and keyed architrave with ogee head and moulded stone
sill. Outer bays contain round-arched niches with moulded
stone sills over brick aprons. Ground floor windows in
flanking wings are recessed beneath arcaded triple keyed round
arches with moulded impost band. First floor has square-headed
windows in triple keyed eared architraves with moulded stone
sills and stone aprons. Windows have square lattice leading in
bordered metal frames.
Left return: 2 storeys and basement; 9-bay wing with
projecting end bays. End bays have open pediments supported by
Ionic columns on first floor. Square headed basement windows
in low plinth. Except in end bays, fenestration detail is
repeated from entrance front wings. End bay ground floor
windows are square-headed in triple keyed and eared
architraves with cornices: those on first floor are
round-arched in ogee headed architraves with moulded sills and
aprons. Dated rainwater goods in re-entrant angles with end
bays have ornate hoppers bearing the City of York badge.
INTERIOR: 3-bay entrance lobby with apsidal ends, articulated
in Doric pilasters carrying enriched plaster frieze and
modillion cornice. Openings are round-arched, the inner ones
screened with glazed and panelled doors with fanlights.
Staircase openings are square-headed in triple keyed
architraves with incised panel reveals. Eared doorcases at
each end have pulvinated friezes and cornices. Ceiling pierced
in centre by oval light well encircled by richly moulded
plaster garland. Imperial staircase to first floor has
sunk-panelled stone steps and balustrade of twisted cast-iron
balusters and panels of wrought-iron scrollwork. Upper part of

stairwell lined with niches. Moulded panel ceiling has
enriched dentilled and modillioned cornice.
First floor: stairhead openings are round-arched in
ogee-headed architraves. Landing articulated in Ionic order
with full entablature. Light well balustrade as for staircase.
Above, domed circular lantern glazed in opaque glass is
encircled by moulded garland of flowers and leaves. Both main
rooms have segmental tunnel vaulted ceilings. Original
furniture and fittings including shelving and seating still in
use.

Listing NGR: SE6004752089

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• York Library at Wikipedia
• York Library official website
• Wikidata Q8055614

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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