Reed Memorial Library

Reed Memorial Library is a one-story public library in Carmel featuring a trapezoidal stone structure built from material quarried near Lake Gilead in New York. The building displays Tudor-Bethan architecture with a slate roof comprising three gables and a curved rear section forming a rounded elevation.

The library was built in 1914 by Arietta Crane Reed to honor her husband William Belden Reed and represents the oldest library building in Putnam County. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting the architectural standards of its founding era.

The main reading room features a fireplace mantel carved with monks' heads, while the children's section displays Gothic Revival style elements. These decorative touches reveal the craftsmanship that went into furnishing the building.

The building sits at the corner of US Route 6 and New York Route 52, making it easy to locate. Visitors will find original period furnishings throughout the rooms from the time it was founded.

The stone used for the walls was quarried from a local source near Lake Gilead, giving the building a distinctive regional connection. This choice of building material was typical for local construction projects of that era and adds to its special character.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 41.42194,-73.67806

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26