Schoelcher Library

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Mon 15 Jun 2009 22:16
Schoelcher's Library and Bougenot's Mansion
 
 
 
 
            
 
 
 
Bougenot's Mansion, information and building. Our first look at the library from the side.
 
 
Opened in March 2004 Bougenot's Mansion is an annexe to Schoelcher's Library.
The Press and Documentation Department. On the ground floor there is a study room with access to on-line regional, national and international periodicals of the current year.
The Multimedia - Cyberspace Department. Offers initiation and awareness for beginners in multimedia and the Internet. 400 CD-ROMS are available.
The Department for the Visually Impaired. Offers writings in Braille, 5,000 "speaking book" cassettes and hundreds of CD's.
 
Emile Bougenot achieved a degree in mechanics at Chalon-sur-Marne School of Arts and Techniques in 1859 and was a shareholder in many sugar cane factories in Martinique. He was administrator and director of the Cail and Co in charge of setting up the steam factory of Lareinty in 1860. The technical revolution at that time made him the main man for the creation and administration of a web of centrally quoted factories and for the promotion of an era of great industrial revolution for Martinique mainly for putting forward the use of steam as a technique for the manufacture of sugar. It would be a period of prosperity for the industrialists of Martinique and for Emile Bougenot the accumulation of properties and wealth.
The mansion, originally bought by Eugene Eustache in 1872 is six hundred square metres of bourgeois pavilion, made on a concrete base and iron framework. Wood was also used for the construction: its verandah is sheltered by an iron framework balcony with wooden floors around all four walls. The high windows with little panes, the thin interior columns remind us of the island colonial style and past. Its gardens with its straight lines holds specimen tropical flowers and many majestic royal palm trees. 
By marrying the only daughter of Eugene Eustache, owner of Galion Sugar Factory, Emile Bougenot became one of the most powerful industrialists of Martinique. He inherited the mansion on the death of his wife. For many years the mansion was Emile's residence, he also used it as an agency and central office for all his business affairs. Under the Vichy Government, the property was taken as a requisition to open an Information Service. After the war ended and until 1949, the broadcasting services occupied the place and it was only in 1961 it was given to the General Council of Martinique which set up its Social and Sanitary Direction Offices.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          
 
 
 
This architectural masterpiece in the heart of Fort de France, originally built in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris in 1887 for the Parisian public. Dismantled, it was shipped piece by piece and reconstructed here.
The architectural challenge: The construction of the library is a challenge taken up by its designer and architect Pierre-Henry Picq. However he must, above all, consider the weather conditions of the Caribbean, a region located in marshy areas with a high risk of earthquakes. He therefore preferred iron for the decorative aspects, cement and glass for the structure itself, whose stiffness, elasticity and flexibility contributes to resisting tremors. Timber is only used for the doors and window frames, limiting fire damage and infestation by creepy-crawlies. A specific system of thermal insulation aerates the reading room.
Picq's approach was quite original in that it largely borrowed from a classical style, inspired by the tradition of antique, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian architecture, offering a gracious blend of Florentine and Baroque esthetic elements.
Picq added a touch of the Near East, especially in the Moorish polychrome walls and Byzantine mosaics. The floral decor and the abundance of shapes reflecting nature, recall the Art Noveau in vogue during this period. These elements add to make this building "Exotic" architecture where, through the diversity of sources, emerges an undeniably harmonious ensemble with simple, functional, well lit volumes.
Pierre-Henry Picq 1833-1911. Trained as an ornamental sculpture. He participated in the School of Fine Arts Contest exhibition at the World Fair.
1883 he signs the blue-prints of the library - museum in Fort de France where he has a few close ties: his Martinican wife Lucie Briere de I'Isle. Furthermore his father-in-law, related to the Perrinon family, is well connected in republican and abolitionist circles in Martinique and in Paris. Also, it seems he was on friendly terms with Victor Schoelcher himself.
In 1891 he proposed the blue-prints for the Fort de France Cathedral.
From 1893-1897, he rebuilt the church in Francois, he leaves a trail in Fort de France where he built the dome of the "Printemps" building with its characteristic metallic architecture.
 
 
 
 
              
 
 
 
Another city, another map, skipper finding out info for me. The amazing detail and colour of this striking building.
 
 
 
         
 
 
 
I trotted up to the lady on the desk and asked if I would be allowed to take some photographs. I got her permission and happily started snapping away at the equally amazing interior. Bear pointed out all the signs saying photography forbidden, Oh well, lucky me. The stunning dome in the ceiling. Some of the collection of books and the lovely tiled floor.
 
 
 
 
         
 
 
 
The metal spiral staircase, the intricate patterns on the walls and ceiling.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We sailed past the commune of Case-Navire which took the name of Schoelcher in 1888, in the man's honour.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The left-hand-less statue of Schoelcher (the man has his own blog) stands outside the Town Hall in Fort de France.
On the 22nd of May 1848, Victor Schoelcher abolished slavery from Martinique, liberating over 70,000 slaves.
The origin of the Schoelcher Library dates back to 1883. Ten years before his death, the famous abolitionist and great philanthropist donates 9,534 books as well as musical scores which are shipped in 1884 and installed in a building on Rue Victor Hugo. On August the 5th 1884 the Official Bulletin of the Colonies renders the assignment of the first Library Curator, Mr. Cochinat, public. Until that date, he was former Magistrate at Orleans and former secretary of Alexander Dumas, Snr. Following Schoelcher's donation, Cochinat brings the libraries collection to 11,000 volumes. 
Initial Mission of the Library: To safeguard the collection. Lend books to the public, excepting precious or reference books, albums, encyclopedia etc.
22nd of June 1890: A violent fire destroys the major part of the collection. The rescued books is in part transported to Fort Saint Louis, to the Artillery Headquarters; a few years later, approximately 1,599 bound volumes permanently occupy their spots in the present building, specifically designed for conserving them.
In 1893 the General Council (locally elected assembly) and the Government added their donation to the volumes rescued from the fire; finally individual donations were offered.
A credit granted by the General Council yearly contributes to reconstituting the collection.
Around August 1919, after having oscillating between small pleasures and great misfortune the Schoelcher Library settles into a period of prosperity with the assignment of the new library Curator Mr. Simeon Petit. Very early on, he appeals to the public authorities, which results in generous donations from local authors, Martinicans living in France, readers, Fort de France Town Councillors, the Mayor of the city himself, Victor Severe, the Teachers' League and the International Colonial Association, considerably broaden the initial fabric woven by Schoelcher. Periodicals will receive special attention and, simultaneously specific care to binding the collection's books.
Between 1925 and 1935 the library management strives toward having it become a veritable working library at the disposal of the general public.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL AN AMAZING BUILDING, WE ARE DELIGHTED IT IS FREE FOR ALL TO USE AND ME TO PHOTOGRAPH. Cheeky monkey, trust you. "I did ask".