According to the city of Watertown's website: "The Roswell P Flower Memorial Library is a magnificent structure and source of knowledge and resources to all who visit made possible through the generosity of Mrs Emma Taylor Flower
"The Flower Memorial Library is unique in that every embellishment is a record of something of importance to Jefferson County. It was a daring thought of the designer to establish such restrictions for artistic inspiration, but the result justifies the idea."
These words were spoken at the library dedication ceremony in 1904 and reflect the importance of this beautiful building to the residents of Watertown and Jefferson County. Decorator Charles Rollison Lamb's beautiful and harmonious design has delighted visitors ever since.
The building is in the Grecian style with some Roman features. It is massive and dignified and characteristic of the man in whose memory it was built.
The main architectural feature is the rotunda which features bronze zodiac signs inlaid in the marble floor while on the dome above figures of history, romance, religion, and science are separated y fable, drama, lyric and epic poetry. The inscription on the frieze under the dome reads "To know wisdom and instruction: to perceive the words of understanding."
To the right and left of the rotunda on the first floor are two large and beautifully decorated reading rooms as well as two display areas which feature local author Marietta Holley and an exhibit of items associated with the French emigres to the north country.
The south reading room contains a full length portrait of Governor Flower, while the north reading room features Ella Conde Lamb's oil painting THE OPEN BOOK.
Two staircases lead from the rotunda to the mezzanine and murals by George W Breck and H Peabody Flagg as well as paintings donated by various benefactors over the years."
Library
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