The Gilbert M. Simmons Memorial Library was donated to the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin by one of its leading 19th century citizens, Zalmon G. Simmons, and has been an important fixture in the community for more than a century. Constructed in 1900 to the designs of famed architect Daniel H. Burnham, the library reflects Burnham’s command of classical architecture. It is prominently set within picturesque Library Park, planned concurrently by the landscape designer Ossian Cole Simonds. The library and park are designated as local Kenosha landmarks and listed in the National Register of Historic places.

In 2019, Harboe Architects was retained by the Kenosha Public Library to prepare an Historic Structure Report for the library building and a cultural landscape report for the surrounding park. The reports were funded by the Jeffris Family Foundation, which supports preservation education initiatives and professional studies necessary to develop a bricks and mortar preservation project for the property or fill a critical need that is tied to a preservation outcome. The reports were completed after careful research, on-site documentation and close coordination with Harboe Architects’ consultants.

Harboe Architects was subsequently selected to provide design documents for accessibility upgrades and the restoration of the terrace, pending funding.