1898 – Passmore Edwards Public Library, East Ham, London

Architect: Silvanus Trevail

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Known as the Plashet Library, and still in use today. Passmore Edwards contributed £4,000 towards the cost, the District Council finishing the work with another £1,500. The family of a Councillor Knight gave the clock in the tower, and Mr. W.H. Savage, A.M.Inst., C.E., gave the mechanism for striking the hours. A gift of a thousand volumes of technical books was received from another Councillor J.H. Bethell.

“This is one of the latest library buildings that Mr. J. Passmore Edwards intends erecting in the neighbourhood of the Metropolis, and is presented to the community of East Ham. The plans show the dimensions, style, and arrangements of the structure, which have been designed so far as possible to meet the local wishes and requirements. The librarian’s residence and the workroom are located on the first floor. The building will be erected of best Ruabon red facing bricks, with Bath stone dressings, and the roofs will be covered with Belgian green slates, and the clock turret with copper. The heating will be by steam, and the lighting by electricity. Mr. Silvanus Trevail, F.R.I.B.A., of Truro and Westminster, is the architect, and Mr. James W. Jerram, of Forest Gate, E., is the contractor for the whole of the works. The foundation-stone was laid last Saturday by Mr. T. McKinnon Wood, the Chairmpn of the London County Council. The site is on the Recreation Ground at Plashet.” Published in The Building News, November 11 1898.

Published February 19, 2014