Carmarthen Library
| Carmarthen Library | |
|---|---|
Llyfrgell Caerfyrddin | |
.jpg) | |
 Interactive map of the Carmarthen Library area | |
Alternative names | Furnace House |
General information | |
| Location | St Peters Street, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 1LN |
| Year built | 1761 |
| Renovated | 1972–73 |
Carmarthen Library (also known as Furnace House; Welsh: Llyfrgell Caerfyrddin) is a Grade II listed building in Carmarthen, Wales built in 1761.[1][2] It currently houses the public library in Carmarthen.[3]
History
[edit]The building was built in 1761 as a town house for Robert Morgan, a local ironmaster.[1][4] The building's forecourt is surrounded by railings, which also date from 1761 and may have been made at the tin mill that Morgan established in that same year.[5]
After his death, the building was occupied by at least one of his sons, John.[6][7][8]
In 1819, Charles Morgan rented out the large garden at the rear to a gardener. The location of the garden is now covered by the archive buildings and St. Peter's Street Car Park.[9]
The Morgan family sold the building in 1878 to Mr. S. E. Richards, and it was occupied by Mrs. Richards in 1890.[5]
In 1883, the town council began using the property as lodgings for the judges of assize, which continued for many years.[5][10][11] There were 3 assizes per year in Carmarthen, with the owners vacating the property for each judicial visit.[12] Mr. Justice Charles stayed at Furnace House in 1892.[13]
Mr. David Thomas, an auctioneer and estate agent, died of pneumonia at Furnace House, which was his residence, in March 1894, aged 38. His wife had died two years previously after a long illness.[14][15][16] His father, Nathanial Thomas, a farmer, lived at Furnace House until his death at home aged 75 in 1901.[17]
In 1901, Furnace House was listed for sale at auction for the price of £1,150.[10][18] In that year, Carmarthenshire County Council considered purchasing the property as judges' lodgings, having been paying the owner of Furnace House £82 per year for its use as judges' lodgings,[12][19] but instead bought Old Bank House on Spilman Street.[20][21] However, the building continued to be used by judges as, in 1926, it was occupied by David Harris, MB, JP.[5]
Library
[edit]In 1972–73, the building was reconstructed as a public library, keeping only the façade and forecourt of the original building.[4][5] Prior to the restoration work, the building was near demolition.[2]
A large extension was built to the rear of the building in 2018–2022 to house the National Broadcast Library and the Carmarthenshire Archives.[22][23] The new building was built to Passivhaus standards and opened to the public on 13 July 2022.[24]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Carmarthen Plaque on Furnace House". Carmarthen Town Council. 2004 – via Francis Frith.
- 1 2 "Carmarthenshire landmark Furnace House celebrates 250 years". ITV Wales blog. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Yr Hen Dderwen". J D Wetherspoon. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Furnace House;Ymca;Public Library, St Peters Street, Carmarthen". Coflein. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Full Report for Listed Buildings: 9589". Cadw. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Thorne, R. G. "Carmarthen". History of Parliament.
- ↑ "Family Notices". The Cambrian. 14 August 1813. p. 3.
- ↑ "Family Notices". The Cambrian. 12 March 1808. p. 3.
- ↑ "Welsh urban gardening: a sketch". Carwyn Graves. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Sale of Property at Carmarthen". The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. 13 September 1901. p. 3.
- ↑ "Carmarthen". Weekly Mail. 24 November 1883. p. 7.
- 1 2 "How Judges Live On Circuit". Weekly Mail. 10 August 1901. p. 10.
- ↑ "Carmarthen Assizes". South Wales Daily News. 17 March 1892. p. 6.
- ↑ "Carmarthen". The Cardiff Times. 31 March 1894. p. 5.
- ↑ "Carmarthen". South Wales Daily News. 1 August 1892. p. 7.
- ↑ "DEATH of MR. D. THOMAS, CARMARTHEN". The Cambrian. 30 March 1894. p. 5.
- ↑ "Death of Mr. Nathanial Thomas, Furnace House, Carmarthen". The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. 7 June 1901. p. 4.
- ↑ "Preliminary Advertisement | Town of Carmarthen". The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser. 23 August 1901. p. 5.
- ↑ "Carmarthenshire Police Committee". Evening Express. 18 April 1901. p. 4.
- ↑ "Judges' Lodgings at Carmarthen". Evening Express. 17 January 1901. p. 4.
- ↑ "New Judges' Lodgings at Carmarthen". Evening Express. 2 May 1901. p. 4.
- ↑ "100 Years of Welsh Programmes Now Available at Carmarthen Clip Corner". National Library of Wales. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Harries, Robert (18 May 2018). "Work to start on new £2.6m archive building in Carmarthen". Wales Online. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Youle, Richard (1 August 2022). "Treasure trove in centre of Carmarthen must be kept at constant 17C". Wales Online. Retrieved 8 July 2026.