Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library
Update
The Georgia Trust has worked to bring attention and protection to the Norcross Woman’s Club Old Library since it was included on the Trust’s 2016 “Places in Peril” list of endangered historic properties. In 2023, the Club approached the Trust to find a way to ensure that the property was protected from demolition and given a new lease on life that would allow the landmark to stand for another 100 years. In 2024, the Woman’s Club generously donated the property to The Georgia Trust, making it the most valuable property ever donated to the Trust’s Revolving Fund.
In August 2024, the City of Norcross attempted to condemn and take the historic building through eminent domain but, after negotiations, the Trust reached an agreement with the City. In December 2024, The Georgia Trust sold the property to the City of Norcross, with local historic district protections, for $450,000. The City Council agreed to incorporate the property into the local historic zoning district and committed to spending $230,000 in 2025 towards appropriate rehabilitation.
2016 Places in Peril Listing Info
The Story
The Norcross Woman’s Club was founded in 1905 by civic-minded women involved with the National Library Movement. The women approached various businessmen and philanthropists, including Andrew Carnegie, for donations to support the construction of a library building and by 1921, they had raised enough funds to construct the first library in Gwinnett County. After growing to 24,000 books in circulation and 1,400 registered members by 1966, the library was relocated to a new building. The original library building was periodically used as a storage facility and a country store run by members of the Norcross Woman’s Club.
The Threat
(As of 2016) The Norcross Woman’s Club has retained ownership of the building, but they struggle with the building’s continual maintenance needs, as well as finding a sustainable use for the building. The building sits next to a vacant lot in a prime location for development. The city has rejected proposals for a historic preservation ordinance, leaving the library even more vulnerable to development.
Disclaimer: The Georgia Trust does not own nor has any direct involvement with this historic site. The Trust’s involvement is limited to listing it on our Places in Peril list to bring awareness to it.