The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Murry and Leonie Guggenheim Memorial Library

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Murry & Leonie Guggenheim Memorial Library, Monmouth University

Institution Name: Monmouth University
Original/Historic Place Name: The Guggenheim Cottage
Location on Campus: 400 Cedar Ave
Date(s) of Construction:

1903-1905

original construction Carrère & Hastings

Designer: Carrère & Hastings (New York)
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Beaux-Arts classicism (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, culture, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: solid brick bearing walls

Walls: lathe and plaster, wood

Roof: wood frame

Function:

1905-1961	private residence
1961-present (2006)	library

Narrative:
The Guggenheim Cottage was designed by the prominent New York Architectural firm of Carrere & Hastings and was awarded a Gold Medal for design by the Architectural League in 1907. Its graceful proportion and articulation are unusual for the early 20th century. It is a fine example of an early 20th century country house, with generous axial halls, wide French doors opening onto landscaped terraces, paneled rooms, colonnaded arcades, and classical detailing.

The Cottage was the summer residence of Murry & Leonie Guggenheim. Murry was one of seven sons of Mayer Guggenheim, noted New York industrialist.

The building was donated to (then) Monmouth College in 1961 by the Murry & Leonie Guggenheim Foundation and was adapted for use as a Library. The University has just begun a major rehabilitation project to preserve this historic structure.

References:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Guggenheim, Murry, House [Monmouth University]. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1978.