Cooper Library in Johnson Park

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. It is part of Rutgers University–Camden.

Cooper Library in Johnson Park
Location2nd and Cooper Streets, Camden, New Jersey
Coordinates39°56′53″N 75°7′31″W
Area2.5 acres (1.0 ha)
Built1916
ArchitectKarcher, Walter; Smith, Livingston
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.80002473[1]
NJRHP No.901[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMarch 11, 1980
Designated NJRHPOctober 26, 1979

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.[3]

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[4] 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.[5][6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Camden County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – Historic Preservation Office. April 1, 2010. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  3. http://johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu/library.htm
  4. "History". Camden County, NJ. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  5. 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.
  6. "Founders Online: To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 …". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
  7. "Camden and Amboy Railroad". American-Rails.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  8. "Johnson Park Restoration". johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  9. Matt, Katz. "Walt Whitman Arts Center to become classroom-theater". philly.com. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  10. "Digital Commons Connects Research and Support Centers Under One Roof: Rutgers-Camden Campus News". news.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  11. "Johnson Park Restoration". johnson-park.camden.rutgers.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-12.


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