The Ladies' Library was built by Arden Ballard in 1849 for its first owners, and bought in 1875 by John and Mary Starkweather, who owned a farm northwest of the city. Mrs. Starkweather, who contributed much of her inherited fortune to the community, donated her house to the Ladies’ Library Association in 1890. At that time, the front tower with gable pediment was added, designed in the Italianate style, probably by John Watling Martin, a relative of Dr. James Watling (see A15 & A19), or by the prominent Detroit architect, George D. Mason, who was then working on several other buildings in the city. Mrs. Starkweather also commissioned a Tiffany art glass window for over the main front door which was removed to the Ypsilanti Historical Museum for safekeeping in the 197Os when the Ladies’ Library stood vacant. The building was restored in 1978 by builder Thomas Durant and used for business offices thereafter.
 
 

1978	2004
1983	2004