This building may seem like a later addition to the more majestic Legislative Assembly Building, but it was actually built concurrently. Four iron doors at every entrance segregate this exceptional room from the rest of the Legislature, providing a safeguard for its contents against fire.

The main library space resembles a small Roman Basilica in shape, complete with a south-facing apse-like bay window and bookcases made of butternut wood. These elements form intimate alcoves on each side of the room. The high wooden ceiling, displaying visible beams, holds an upper tier of windows.

The Legislative Library holds an estimated 50,000 books and boasts a comprehensive collection of New Brunswick-related materials. One particularly remarkable item is a complete set of original, hand-painted, copper engravings of John James Audubon‘s “Birds of America” from the 1830s – one of only five sets of its kind in Canada.

This post has already been read 2634 times!