St. Johnsbury in Caledonia County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
(National Register of Historic Places Plaque)
Has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This building possesses National Significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America
1996
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
(1871 Dedication Plaque)
Athenaeum
Presented to the citizens
of the Town, November 27, 1871
by Horace Fairbanks.
Erected 1996 by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 44° 25.105′ N, 72° 1.28′ W. Marker is in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in Caledonia County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 2) and Eastern Avenue (U.S. 2), on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right of the front entrance on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1171 Main Street, Saint Johnsbury VT 05819, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eugene “Geno” McDonough (within shouting distance of this marker); St Johnsbury World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Parrot Gun No. 126 (within shouting distance of this marker); Court House Grounds & Park (within shouting distance of this marker); St Johnsbury Civil War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St Johnsbury World War II Memorial (about 300 feet away); Parrot Gun No. 107 (about 300 feet away); Newell Hall (about 400 feet away).
More about this marker. There are two markers on this building: (1) the 1996 National Register of Historic Places Plaque, and (2) the 1871 building dedication plaque.
Regarding St. Johnsbury Athenaeum. This building now serves as a public art gallery and as the St. Johnsbury Public Library.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Athenaeum.
Horace Fairbanks presented the St. Johnsbury Athenæum to the people of St. Johnsbury in 1871. Horace Fairbanks was a partner and later president of the E. and T. Fairbanks Company, the scale manufacturing company whose development influenced the history and growth of St. Johnsbury, and Vermont Governor from 1866-1868. The St. Johnsbury Athenæum stands as a permanent reminder of the generosity of the Fairbanks family and an invitation to visit the gracious world of the nineteenth century. (Submitted on April 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum.
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, is a combined library and art gallery. The building in which it is housed is architecturally and historically significant because of its construction. The Athenaeum is also noted for the American landscape paintings and books in its collection and its having been funded by Horace Fairbanks, manufacturer of the world's first platform scale. The art collection contains a number of Hudson River School paintings. This building retains a strong Victorian (French Second Empire) flavor of the 19th century. (Submitted on April 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 21, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.