Shrewsbury Library

History of the building

Main article: Shrewsbury School

The original school was founded by Royal charter by King Edward VI in 1552. This is a timber-frame building, now at the rear of the present building. Additional stone buildings were added from 1594 to 1630, including a chapel, dormitories, library and classrooms. The school continued in these, until it was relocated in 1882. Subsequently the premises were converted to a public "Free Library and Museum" by the Shrewsbury Borough Council, opening in their new role in 1885. In the twentieth century the library purpose gradually took over the building. After a period of structural deterioration, followed by extensive restoration work, the buildings were re-opened entirely as Shrewsbury Public Library in 1983.

A plaque erected by The Rotary Club of Shrewsbury, commemorating the club's 60th anniversary in 1986, reads: Castle Gates Library. Founded by Edward VI in 1552, Shrewsbury School occupied this site until 1882. The stone buildings were built 1594-1630. Sir Philip Sidney, Judge Jeffreys and Charles Darwin were educated here. Re-opened as a library in 1983 after complete renovation.

Restoration work

The building required restoration work which was mainly done in the early 1980s. The projected cost was over £3 million, one of the most expensive such works ever undertaken by Shropshire County Council.

Gallery

Image:Shrewsbury Library 02.jpg|Carvings above entrance archway Image:Shrewsbury Library 03.jpg|Tower and north hall File:Charles Darwin Statue Shrewsbury.jpg|Charles Darwin Statue outside front entrance Image:Shrewsbury Library 04.jpg|Sundials on south end (Old School Room) Image:Shrewsbury Library 05.jpg|Information plaque Image:Shrewsbury Library 06.jpg|Pupils' names carved in window sill Image:Shrewsbury Library 07.jpg|Old School Room ceiling Image:Shrewsbury Library 08.jpg|Darwin Room ceiling showing heraldic shields Image:Shrewsbury Library 09.jpg|Darwin Room ceiling showing heraldic shields Image:Shrewsbury Library 10.jpg|Stained glass window (castle end) Image:Shrewsbury Library 11.jpg|Stained glass window (other end) File:Library_in_Shrewsbury_England_by_Francis_Bedford,_c._1863-1884.jpg|Shrewsbury Library by Francis Bedford, c. 1863-1884

Footnotes

References

• Shrewsbury Library - Its History and Restoration, Shropshire Libraries, 1983, . This booklet is a guide to the buildings and the restoration work. 19th-century photographs of the school rooms are included, as well as a copy of a painting from about 1630. (Cover price 50 pence; 1983)

References

1. {{NHLE
2. Carr, A. M.. (1983). "Shrewsbury Library: its history and restoration". Shropshire Libraries.
3. Wall plaque by library entrance.
4. British History Online. "The corporation of Shrewsbury: The Royal Charters".
5. (April 1985). "Read All About It! Grand Opening of Shrewsbury's free library 100 years ago". The Shropshire Magazine.
6. (1983). "Shrewsbury Library, Its History and Restoration". Shropshire Libraries.
7. The library opened in 1983. The work included sand-blasting the main stonework, which looks more modern than 1630 as a result. Work was also done on the original timber-framed building, including repairs to the roof gables. Carvings were done by a local craftsman in the original Tudor style. These include a self-portrait at the apex of the north-facing gable.Information supplied by library staff, 24 January 2009.