United States historic place
| Cooper Library in Johnson Park | |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| New Jersey Register of Historic Places | |
 | |
  Show map of Camden County, New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Show map of the United States | |
| Location | 2nd and Cooper Streets, Camden, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 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 |
| NJRHP No. | 901 |
| 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. 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.
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 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. 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.
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.
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. 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.
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The Peter Pan statue by George Frampton, donated by Eldridge Johnson, is one of five in the world
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 March 31, 2019.
- 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 April 1, 2019.
- "Camden and Amboy Railroad". American-Rails.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- "Johnson Park Restoration". johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- Matt, Katz (December 25, 2010). "Walt Whitman Arts Center to become classroom-theater". philly.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
- "Digital Commons Connects Research and Support Centers Under One Roof: Rutgers-Camden Campus News". news.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- "Johnson Park Restoration". johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
External links
Categories:
- Library buildings completed in 1916
- Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey
- Neoclassical architecture in New Jersey
- Buildings and structures in Camden, New Jersey
- Carnegie libraries in New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places in Camden County, New Jersey
- New Jersey Register of Historic Places
- Rutgers University buildings
- Rutgers University–Camden