150 Years of The Urbana Free Library Talk

Early Years & Joseph W. Royer

Hear the story of the early years of The Urbana Free Library and the architect Joseph Royer.

This talk will trace the origins of The Urbana Free Library from its inception in the 1870s through the construction and expansion of the Joseph W. Royer-designed Samuel T. Busey Memorial Library building in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Brian Adams is an archaeologist and historic preservation expert. He is a Senior Research Archaeologist with the Illinois State Archaeological Survey at the University of Illinois. While living in Urbana, he has renovated two historic homes which spurred his interest in local architectural history and has published a book on the prominent local architect Joseph Royer. He has successfully nominated several buildings for Local Historic Landmark status in Urbana, including three designed by Royer, and three buildings to the National Register of Historic Places.

Upcoming events