Ladies Library Association Building
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Ladies Library Association Building | |
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| Location | 333 S. Park Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan |
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| Coordinates | 42°17′21″N 85°35′13″W / 42.28917°N 85.58694°W |
| Built | 1879 |
| Built by | Frederick Bush |
| Architect | Henry Lloyd Gay |
| Architectural style | Venetian Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Bronson Park Historic District (ID83000855) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000274[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 8, 1970 |
The Ladies Library Association Building in Kalamazoo, Michigan was the first building erected as a women's club in the United States.[2] It was also the country's first structure owned by a women's organization.[3] It was built in 1879 by funds raised by the Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo (LLA).[4]
The Ladies' Library Association of Kalamazoo was founded in 1852, with the purpose of increasing the education of is members. For the first few decades, the Association had no permanent meeting place, and focused on creating their library. However, in 1878, the association decided to construct a library building. They raised funds, and construction started in 1879.[5] The lot for the building was donated by Ruth Webster, long-time member of the LLA. The building was designed by Chicago architect Henry Lloyd Gay and built by Frederick Bush.[2] A kitchen wing was added in 1913.[5]
The building became a Michigan State Historic Site in 1961 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[2][6]
