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Building History

Built in 1860, the building at 356 Commercial Street, a National Historic Landmark property and most recently the home of the Heritage Museum, was the home of the Center Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly 100 years.

Located on Commercial Street, just one block East of the present Library, it is the most prominent and defining Landmark building on the skyline. As one enters Provincetown over the water by its magnificent harbor, or by land through Truro on Route 6, the building leaps out to greet the eye.

Reconstruction and Restoration   Initially, the task of gutting, renovating and restoring the building seemed ambitious, but many individuals, including the Library Trustees, became convinced after close study and examination, that the facility could indeed meet the Library's 20-year plan, and began to investigate this opportunity.

The conclusion of the Library investigation was that the Center Street Building could successfully be transformed into a new Provincetown Library. The Library will retain the model of the Rose Dorothea; the historic entrance grand staircases; and meet ADA (elevator, restrooms, etc.) and other code requirements, including two separate egress stairways accessing all floors.

The Rose Dorothea   A 62-foot-long half-scale model of a Grand Banks fishing schooner, the Rose Dorothea is built into the building's Second Floor and extends upward to the historic vaulted ceiling. In 1907, the Rose won the Boston-Gloucester Fisherman's Race that began in Provincetown, and was awarded the coveted Lipton Cup. The model is a tribute to the Town's nautical past and a work of countless hours of volunteer time from 15 local fishermen and craftsmen. It represents an historic period in Provincetown's rich history. The Children's Library has been designed to encircle the model, which will be used as a teaching tool.

Architect Selected with Historic Preservation in Mind   In July of 2002, the Town engaged the services of the prestigious 80-year-old Boston firm of Perry Dean Rogers|Partners Architects to design the new Library. Plans call for selective restoration of the exterior, including the windows that are currently boarded up, and the historic front entrance. The interior of the building will be completely gutted, reconstructed and restored to its original design insomuch as is possible. Complete building and landscape restoration will be addressed progressively as funds are available. Finally, complying with the Massachusetts Historical Commission requirements to maintain the grand staircases and restore the vaulted ceiling in this National Historic Landmark property, the stairs will be re-railed in order to open them for use by the public, and the vaulted ceiling will be enhanced with a secondary vault to embrace and accommodate the masts of the Rose.

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