Thanksgiving Advisory: Expect temporary road closures  on Thursday, 8:45 to 10 am, for the Somerville 5K Turkey Trot. Borough Hall and the Library will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. Garbage collection is suspended Thursday and will resume with an extra pickup on Friday.
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Somerville Borough Hall and Public Library

Daniel Robert House

Constructed in 1888, the Daniel Robert House is a faithful copy of an award-winning design by Alexander Jackson Davis. The Gothic-revival “castle” served as the Lodge of the Somerville Elks from 1923 to 1959. Today it serves as Somerville's Borough Hall and Public Library.

The mansion was listed on the National Register in time for the 100th anniversary of the Borough’s incorporation.

The story of how Somerville acquired its “castle”, the man who built it, and the preservation of an award-winning classic of American Gothic Revival architecture stretches from the 19th to the 21st century. It involves the growth of a small town and the rise and fall of a colorful, but not widely known, colonial-American family.

History and architecture buffs will be intrigued by the artistry and planning of one man’s private castle, one that is now a building serving the public and a National Register site. To learn more, The County’s Handsomest House is available in paperback or digital editions.

Public Library

The Somerset County Library System’s Somerville Branch is a vibrant community resource. Located in the historic former Elks ballroom, connected to Borough Hall, the branch is fully accessible and organized into three main areas to meet a variety of needs.

The Foyer provides key information about library services and local events. It features notices and resources from county and non-profit organizations, as well as a convenient device charging station.

The Reading Room includes public access computers, and patrons may borrow Chromebooks for in-library use. Printing and copying are available at 20 cents per page for black and white and 60 cents per page for color. Scanning is free. The space also offers a study bar, tables with built-in power outlets, a lounge area, magazines, newspapers, a book collection, and a local history section. Staff are available to assist visitors.

The Youth Space is designed for children, with hands-on activities, comfortable seating, a public access computer, a literacy game computer, and age-appropriate books. The Somerville Branch supports lifelong learning and creativity with programs that encourage socialization and hobbies. To view upcoming programs, click here for the program calendar and select the Somerville Branch filter.

Local educators often schedule class visits, and library staff regularly participate in community events to build connections with organizations and businesses. This outreach highlights the library’s role as a central hub for learning, community engagement, and cultural enrichment in Somerville.

Tours

For a booklet on the history of Borough Hall and tours of the former mansion, contact us.

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