Ohio is a wonderful place for book lovers. From 32-room bookstores to castle libraries, it’s a state made for bibliophiles. And this castle-library in Van Wert may just be the most unique place we’ve ever seen. Located in a small town in Northern Ohio, the Brumback Library is housed inside a small castle, which makes a visit here feel like something straight out of a novel. A truly unique attraction, this library castle in Ohio is absolutely worth a visit.
Welcome to the Brumback Library, a truly magical place that features both Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
The Brumback Library website Funded by former resident John Sanford Brumback, the castle was a gift to Van Wert residents and no expense was spared in its construction.
Construction began in 1899 and the library was officially established in 1901. Over the years, multiple renovations have been made.
Richard O/TripAdvisor In spite of the expansions, much of the design and material is original, like the Main Reading Room, pictured here.
In addition to its castle-like appearance, The Brumback Library is also special because it was the first County Library formed in the United States.
memoryseeker/TripAdvisor The library also has branches in Ohio City, Convey, Middle Point, Willshire, and Wren.
The Children’s Department offers plenty of programs and seasonal activities that budding bibliophiles will love.
The Brumback Library website To stay up-to-date on programs and events at the library, visit The Brumback Library website.
You can visit this one-of-a-kind castle library in Ohio during the week or on a weekend; hours vary by day, so be sure to check the library’s website before you go.
The Brumback Library/Facebook For more information about the library, visit The Brumback Library’s website.
Did you know about this unique castle library in Ohio? If you’ve visited the Brumback Library before, please share your experience with your fellow bibliophiles in the comments section below! And be sure to bookmark (pun intended) this feature on the Ohio Literary Trail, a 60+ stop road trip for adventurous readers!
The Brumback Library website
Funded by former resident John Sanford Brumback, the castle was a gift to Van Wert residents and no expense was spared in its construction.
Richard O/TripAdvisor
In spite of the expansions, much of the design and material is original, like the Main Reading Room, pictured here.
memoryseeker/TripAdvisor
The library also has branches in Ohio City, Convey, Middle Point, Willshire, and Wren.
To stay up-to-date on programs and events at the library, visit The Brumback Library website.
The Brumback Library/Facebook
For more information about the library, visit The Brumback Library’s website.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 215 W Main St, Van Wert, OH 45891, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Library Castle in Ohio January 20, 2021 Sarah What are some other unique libraries in Ohio? There are so many unique libraries in Ohio, but we’re particularly fond of Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library. The Mercantile Library is one of only two-dozen surviving membership libraries in the United States, and has been around since 1835. Housed in the 11th and 12th floors of Downtown Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library Building, this hidden gem carries more than 80,000 books for members to browse through and check out. The Mercantile Library is an absolute must-visit for both Ohio history buffs and book lovers alike. Is Brumback Library the only library castle in Ohio? Yes – but it’s certainly not the only unique library in Ohio. Adventurous bibliophiles will definitely want to check out (book pun!) the Ohio Literary Trail, a 60+ stop, deep dive into the literary landscape of the Buckeye State. The Ohio Literary Trail features several historical markers, notable libraries, historic homes, and other top literary destinations in the state, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, the Thurber House Museum and Thurber Center in Columbus, and Malabar Farm outside of Cleveland. What’s the biggest bookstore in Ohio? How does 32 rooms of books sound? Tucked away in central Ohio’s charming German Village, The Book Loft is the state’s biggest bookstore. Taking up an entire street block, this massive book store is a labyrinth of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that literary nerds only dream about: a seemingly never-ending maze of classic literature, contemporary titles, kids’ books, nonfiction, and more. As an added bonus, the bookstore also hosts an impressive lineup of famous authors throughout the year – and it’s also a favorite place for local authors to visit. The Book Loft houses an estimated 500,000 books, and you’ll need a map to navigate it.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Library Castle in Ohio
January 20, 2021
Sarah
What are some other unique libraries in Ohio? There are so many unique libraries in Ohio, but we’re particularly fond of Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library. The Mercantile Library is one of only two-dozen surviving membership libraries in the United States, and has been around since 1835. Housed in the 11th and 12th floors of Downtown Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library Building, this hidden gem carries more than 80,000 books for members to browse through and check out. The Mercantile Library is an absolute must-visit for both Ohio history buffs and book lovers alike. Is Brumback Library the only library castle in Ohio? Yes – but it’s certainly not the only unique library in Ohio. Adventurous bibliophiles will definitely want to check out (book pun!) the Ohio Literary Trail, a 60+ stop, deep dive into the literary landscape of the Buckeye State. The Ohio Literary Trail features several historical markers, notable libraries, historic homes, and other top literary destinations in the state, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, the Thurber House Museum and Thurber Center in Columbus, and Malabar Farm outside of Cleveland. What’s the biggest bookstore in Ohio? How does 32 rooms of books sound? Tucked away in central Ohio’s charming German Village, The Book Loft is the state’s biggest bookstore. Taking up an entire street block, this massive book store is a labyrinth of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that literary nerds only dream about: a seemingly never-ending maze of classic literature, contemporary titles, kids’ books, nonfiction, and more. As an added bonus, the bookstore also hosts an impressive lineup of famous authors throughout the year – and it’s also a favorite place for local authors to visit. The Book Loft houses an estimated 500,000 books, and you’ll need a map to navigate it.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many unique libraries in Ohio, but we’re particularly fond of Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library. The Mercantile Library is one of only two-dozen surviving membership libraries in the United States, and has been around since 1835. Housed in the 11th and 12th floors of Downtown Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library Building, this hidden gem carries more than 80,000 books for members to browse through and check out. The Mercantile Library is an absolute must-visit for both Ohio history buffs and book lovers alike.
Is Brumback Library the only library castle in Ohio?
Yes – but it’s certainly not the only unique library in Ohio. Adventurous bibliophiles will definitely want to check out (book pun!) the Ohio Literary Trail, a 60+ stop, deep dive into the literary landscape of the Buckeye State. The Ohio Literary Trail features several historical markers, notable libraries, historic homes, and other top literary destinations in the state, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, the Thurber House Museum and Thurber Center in Columbus, and Malabar Farm outside of Cleveland.
What’s the biggest bookstore in Ohio?
How does 32 rooms of books sound? Tucked away in central Ohio’s charming German Village, The Book Loft is the state’s biggest bookstore. Taking up an entire street block, this massive book store is a labyrinth of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that literary nerds only dream about: a seemingly never-ending maze of classic literature, contemporary titles, kids’ books, nonfiction, and more. As an added bonus, the bookstore also hosts an impressive lineup of famous authors throughout the year – and it’s also a favorite place for local authors to visit. The Book Loft houses an estimated 500,000 books, and you’ll need a map to navigate it.
