Cooper Library in Johnson Park
United States historic place
Cooper Library in Johnson Park | |
 | |
39°56′53″N 75°7′31″W / 39.94806°N 75.12528°W / 39.94806; -75.12528 | |
| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
|---|---|
| Built | 1916 (1916) |
| Architect | Walter Karcher; Livingston Smith |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002473[1] |
| NJRHP No. | 901[2] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1980 |
| Designated NJRHP | October 26, 1979 |
Cooper Library in Johnson Park is located in the Cooper Grant section of Camden, Camden County, New Jersey, United States. It was built in 1916 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 11, 1980, for its significance in architecture, art, education, and sculpture.[3] It is part of Rutgers University–Camden.
History and description
The mosaic frieze entitled America Receiving the Gifts of Nations which adorns the front of the building was designed by D'Ascenzo Studios of Philadelphia.[4]
Johnson's park encompasses the Cooper Library, formally known as the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, and marks the site of the Cooper's Ferry company. Cooper's Ferry was licensed in 1688[5] and helped in transporting products between Camden and Philadelphia. The area was a major point of transportation for the British and the Hessians during the American Revolutionary War, due to their capture of Philadelphia in September 1777.[6][7] Later it would serve as a terminal for stage coaches and a rail road terminal from 1834 to 1854 for the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company.[8]
Construction of the library began in 1916 and was completed in April 1918. The park was donated in December 1921 by Eldridge R. Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company, after whom it is named. A fountain and several bronze statues were added between 1923 and 1930.[9]
After its closure the Cooper Library became the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, where theatrical performances were held. It was deeded to Rutgers University for a dollar and became known as the Center for Performing Arts in Camden.[10] Rutgers University–Camden converted the center into a classroom and has allowed performances to be held at the Gordon Theater instead. Currently the building serves as a Digital Studies Center and Writing and Design Lab.[11]
-
![The Peter Pan statue by George Frampton, donated by Eldridge Johnson, is one of five in the world[12]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Peter_Pan_statue_on_Johnson_Cooper_park.jpg/120px-Peter_Pan_statue_on_Johnson_Cooper_park.jpg)
The Peter Pan statue by George Frampton, donated by Eldridge Johnson, is one of five in the world[12]
![The Peter Pan statue by George Frampton, donated by Eldridge Johnson, is one of five in the world[12]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Peter_Pan_statue_on_Johnson_Cooper_park.jpg/120px-Peter_Pan_statue_on_Johnson_Cooper_park.jpg)
See also
- Carnegie Library Center
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Camden County, New Jersey
- List of Carnegie libraries in New Jersey
References
- ^ "National Register Information System – (#80002473)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Camden County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Historic Preservation Office. September 29, 2022. p. 3.
listed as the Cooper Library in Johnson Park (Walt Whitman Poetry Center)
- ^ Greenberg, Gail (June 1979). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Cooper Library in Johnson Park". National Park Service. With accompanying 5 photos
- ^ "Johnson Park Restoration".
- ^ "History". Camden County, NJ. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- ^ Incorporated, A. M. S. Press (1903). New Jersey Archives: Documents Relating to the Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey. A M S Press, Incorporated. ISBN 9780404127442.
- ^ "Founders Online: To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 …". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
- ^ "Camden and Amboy Railroad". American-Rails.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- ^ "Johnson Park Restoration". johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- ^ Matt, Katz. "Walt Whitman Arts Center to become classroom-theater". philly.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
- ^ "Digital Commons Connects Research and Support Centers Under One Roof: Rutgers-Camden Campus News". news.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
- ^ "Johnson Park Restoration". johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cooper Library in Johnson Park.
- Johnson Park Restoration
- v
- t
- e
- Hadrosaurus Foulkii Leidy Site
- Walt Whitman House
- Berlin Historic District
- Blackwood Historic District
- Cattell Tract Historic District
- Collingswood Commercial Historic District
- Collingswood Residential Historic District
- Cooper Grant Historic District
- Cooper River Park Historic District
- Cooper Street Historic District
- Fairview District
- Haddonfield Historic District
- The Oaks Historic District
- South Camden Historic District
- Station Avenue Business District
- White Horse Pike Historic District
worship
- Church of the Immaculate Conception
- Glendale Methodist Episcopal Church
- Grant A.M.E. Church
- Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church
- Newton Friends' Meetinghouse
- Solomon Wesley United Methodist Church
- St. John's Episcopal Church and Burying Ground
- St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church
- Barclay Farm House
- Burrough-Dover House
- Centennial House
- Chew-Powell House
- Samuel Coles House
- Collings-Knight Homestead
- Joseph Cooper House
- Arthur Dorrance House
- Col. Joseph Ellis House
- Isaac Glover House
- Greenfield Hall
- Haddon Fortnightly Club House
- Hillman Hospital House
- Hinchman-Lippincott House
- Kay-Evans Farm
- Robert Marshall House
- Samuel Mickle House
- Griffith Morgan House
- Peter Mott House
- Pomona Hall
- Edward Sharp House
- Stokes-Lee House
- Dr. Henry Genet Taylor House and Office
- Thackara House
- Isaac Tomlinson House
- George Whitman House
- Woodlynne Log Cabin
- American National Bank
- Volney G. Bennett Lumber Company
- Broadway Trust Company
- Building 17, RCA Victor Company, Camden Plant
- Building at 525 Cooper Street
- Camden Fire Insurance Association
- Camden Free Public Library Main Building
- Camden Safe Deposit & Trust Company
- Central Trust Company
- Collingswood Theatre
- Collins and Pancoast Hall
- Cooper Library in Johnson Park
- James M. Downey Building
- East End Trust Company
- Federal Building and Courthouse
- Finance Building
- First Camden National Bank & Trust
- Gatehouse at Colestown Cemetery
- Gloucester City Water Works Engine House
- Indian King Tavern
- Inter-County Mortgage and Finance Company
- Lawnside School
- Long-a-Coming Depot
- Marcouse Building
- National State Bank
- New Jersey Safe Deposit and Trust Company
- Newton Union Schoolhouse
- Ritz Theatre
- Sears, Roebuck and Company Retail Department Store-Camden
- Smith-Austermuhl Insurance Company
- South Camden Trust Company
- South Jersey Gas, Electric and Traction Company Office Building
- Victory Trust Company
- Westmont Theatre
- Wilson Building
- A. S. Woodruff and Law Buildings
- Glover Fulling Mill Site
- Mount Peace Cemetery and Funeral Directing Company Cemetery
- Barnegat
- Bonnie's Bridge
- USS New Jersey (BB-62)
