For more than 120 years, the Curtis Memorial Library building on Pleasant Street in Brunswick has welcomed readers, writers, poets and those seeking a quiet refuge to research local history, warm up by the fireplace, or simply sit and take in the art and architecture of the space.
At a recent gathering of library supporters, Curtis board member Dave Millar, of Riley Insurance, announced a “mini-campaign” to restore the building’s original windows.
“As a sixth-generation Brunswick business owner and descendant of one of Curtis Memorial Library’s first directors, the library has always been an important part of my personal, professional and community life,” Millar said. “Curtis is a key contributor to Brunswick’s educational, cultural and social community — welcoming nearly 1,000 visitors of all ages daily to our original 1904 Building and the 1999 contemporary addition. The library offers a great sense of place for our community — it feels more like home than just a location on a map.”
“Riley Insurance is honored to be the lead sponsor of the campaign to restore the original windows in the beloved 1904 Building — preserving the historical integrity of the building for generations to come, while being mindful of our sustainability goals and values,” Millar added. The library is working with Restoration Resources, of Alna, to restore the nine exterior-facing, 11-foot windows in the 1904 Building, plus two smaller interior-facing windows. This work will include scraping and glazing, sash repair, rope replacement and weight balancing, and some glass replacement. Work is expected to begin in mid-May, with one window at a time removed and restored off-site to minimize disruption.
In addition to Riley Insurance, the Curtis Friends and individual donors from Brunswick and Harpswell have contributed or pledged $10,000 each to underwrite the restoration of one window, work that will be enjoyed by generations of library visitors to come. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
To learn more about the window restoration project or take a tour of the 1904 Building, contact Millar at Riley Insurance or Liz Doucett or Joy Fehl at Curtis Memorial Library.
