Billings Library

Billings Library is a stone building with Romanesque arches and a row of symmetrical columns along its main front on University Place. The structure shows typical architectural details of its era, with large vaulted windows and carefully designed entrances.

The building was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson in 1883, a prominent American architect known for substantial stone structures. It originally served as a library but was repurposed later as the university's needs shifted over time.

The name honors Frederick Billings, a key benefactor of the university whose vision shaped the institution's growth. The spaces inside reflect how universities in the 1800s organized knowledge and student life together.

The building sits on the University of Vermont campus at University Place and remains an active part of the grounds. Visitors can view the exterior anytime, though the interior functions as a dining and student space open primarily to the university community.

Inside, the building preserves original rooms from the late 1800s, including an apse and book room arranged as they were historically. These spaces offer a rare glimpse into the scholarly setting as it existed at American universities over a century ago.

Location: Burlington

Inception: 1883

Architects: Henry Hobson Richardson

Website: http://uvm.edu/~campus/billings/billings.html

GPS coordinates: 44.47931,-73.19910

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43