The Tyrrell Historical Library is a
public library in
Beaumont, Texas. Originally built in 1903 to serve as the First Baptist Church, the building displays a mix of
Richardsonian Romanesque and
Victorian Gothic
Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic, neo-Gothic, or Gothick) is an architectural movement that began in the late 1740s in England. The movement gained momentum and expanded in the first half of the 19th century, as increasingly ...
architectures, with
pointed arch
A pointed arch, ogival arch, or Gothic arch is an arch with a pointed crown, whose two curving sides meet at a relatively sharp angle at the top of the arch. This architectural element was particularly important in Gothic architecture. The earlie ...
windows and
quatrefoils, and all of its original stained glass. The building became vacant in 1923 when the congregation moved to a new location. It was bought by
Captain W. C. Tyrrell
William Casper "Captain W.C." Tyrrell, (January 12, 1847 – September 14, 1924), was an oil tycoon, venture capitalist, and prominent businessman of Beaumont, Texas during the Texas oil boom of the early 20th century.
Life
William Casper Tyrrel ...
, who donated the building to the city for use as its first public library. The building is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
and also as a
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the U.S. state of Texas. RTHL is a legal designation and the highest honor the st ...
.
[http://beaumontmainstreet.com/pdf/promo/tour.pdf ] It is also a contributing property to the Downtown Historic District.
After renovations, the library opened in 1926, serving as the main public library until 1974. Following construction of a new facility, this one was renamed as the ''"Tyrrell Historical Library,"'' in honor of the philanthropist. It is the center repository of extensive
genealogical
Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kin ...
archives and the library maintains a
hallmark
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of metal, mostly to certify the content of noble metals—such as platinum, gold, silver and in some nations, palladium. In a more general sense, the term '' hallmark'' can a ...
Texana collection. It was remodeled with systems upgrades in 1990. An addition was constructed in 2010, reflecting the main building's style without trying to recreate it.
Photo gallery
Image:tyrrelloutside.JPG
Image:tyrrellstainedglass.JPG
Image:tyrrellceiling.JPG
See also
*
*
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Jefferson County
References
External links
Tyrell Historical Library Beaumont Public Library System
{{Authority control
Churches completed in 1903
Buildings and structures in Beaumont, Texas
Public libraries in Texas
Education in Beaumont, Texas
Historic district contributing properties in Texas
Tourist attractions in Beaumont, Texas
National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson County, Texas
Research libraries in the United States