Historic McIntire Public Library

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Original site of the public library, now the Historical Society


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Alternative names: The McIntire Building, The Historic McIntire Building

The Historic McIntire Public Library building (also referred to as the former McIntire Library, The McIntire Building and McIntire Building), is a two-story civic building built in 1921. The building is located at 200 2nd Street NE, on the southeast corner of 2nd Street NE and E Jefferson Street.

In October 1977, the Market Street Post Office building was purchased by Charlottesville and Albemarle County and after a 17-month renovation project, at a total cost of the project reached $2.25 million, the McIntire collection of 90,000 volumes moved into the building on Market Street. The new Central Library opened on February 2, 1981 to the larger facility. Along with administration and technical services, the third floor of the new building offers the community three meeting rooms, one of them dedicated to Mr. McIntire.[1]

In May 1987, the Albemarle County Historical Society's Library and the Central Virginia Genealogical Association consolidated their resources with those of the Central Library and moved the newly formed Charlottesville-Albemarle Historical Collection to the mezzanine of the Central Library where it remained until 1994. That year, after extensive restoration and renovation, the Historical Collection moved out of the Central Library and into the former McIntire Library.[2]

History

Donated by local civic benefactor Paul Goodloe McIntire to the City of Charlottesville as the city's first municipal library The McIntire Building[3] The “Charlottesville Public Library” opened its doors to the public on May 30, 1921.

The McIntire Building, built for use as a City library by Paul Goodloe McIntire, is one of the more stately properties in Charlottesville. A deed conveying the lot to the City of Charlottesville, is recorded among the records of the Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in Deed Book 33 at Page 92. [4]

Current tenant

Also referred to by the City as "The McIntire Building", "McIntire Library Building", the structure was first leased to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society (ACHS) in 1993 after an extensive renovation organized by the Society, using a combination of donated funds and a loan from the City. The Society became a center of culture, drawing professional and amateur historians to the downtown area. [5]

On April 2, 2018, the Council granted ACHS a Lease Agreement, the lease renewal term was set at a one (1) year with a lease payment of no less than $750 per month, with all terms within the lease and in Exhibit A. [6]