In a ceremony held Sunday evening at the main branch of the Gloucester Public Library, the library’s Board of Trustees paid tribute to the late Edwin Joseph. Joseph and his wife are credited with rehabilitating Main Street Center and providing an avenue for the Main Street Preservation Trust, according to a release from the library.

The ceremony was attended by about 100 guests, including Joseph’s widow, Adrianne Ryder-Cook Joseph, according to library director Diane Rebertus.

A bas-relief sculpture of Joseph, commissioned by his widow and designed by nationally known artist Chas Fagan, was unveiled and will hang permanently in the library.

According to Jenny Crittenden, executive director of the Main Street Preservation Trust, the Josephs saw an opportunity at the old Gloucester Exchange Shopping Center to benefit the county both aesthetically and financially.

The Josephs’ plan was to purchase the shopping center, rehabilitate the property, providing suitab...