The Libraries of Sullivan County Part 1
The Libraries of Sullivan County Part 1
“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life”
So wrote Henry Ward Beecher, American Congregationalist minister, social reformer and writer in 1862. I believe this thought was behind the establishment of the public libraries in Sullivan County during the late 1700s and 1800s. Before this time most of the libraries were housed in private homes or in school buildings and were often subscription based. The concept of “free” libraries evolved when towns voted to support them through local taxes. Indeed, in 1833 the first tax-supported library in the U.S. opened in Peterborough, NH.
Of the fourteen towns and one city in Sullivan County, thirteen communities have public free libraries which is a testament to the importance of giving access to everyone. Croydon and Langdon are the only towns without their own library.
My interest in doing this research comes from my background of professional library work that began in New York State, including Berlin, Germany, England, Vermont and ending in New Hampshire. I enjoyed learning about the history of the thirteen libraries in Sullivan County that offer many services to the residents in Sullivan County. My hope is that you will not only visit your local library but use it. You also may come to agree that libraries are “…one of the necessities of life.”
Written by Mary Ferland,
Resident of Claremont since 1973.
The Libraries of Sullivan County Map.
The Acworth Silsby Library – Acworth
Address: 5 Lynn Hill Road
Phone: 603-835-2150
Hours:
- Tues-Thurs: 11:30-5:30
- Sat/Sun: 11:30-4:30
Prior to the building we see today, a lending library had been started in 1815 by a former Congregational minister whose books were then dispersed among townspeople when he left Acworth. Other lending libraries existed, one from the Farmers and Mechanics Club as well as a library in 1888 that had 500 books in circulation.
Ithiel Silsby, a former resident, donated $10,000 to build the current library in 1881. He requested a building of “brick and granite.” The library was dedicated in 1892 and nearly everyone in town attended the ceremony. The architect and builder was Hira Beckwith, of Claremont, who also designed the courthouse in Newport and the Silsby Library in Charlestown. The library has a collection of native stuffed birds given in 1892 by the family of Gawain Dickey, a skilled taxidermist and Acworth resident. The library also houses the Acworth Historical Society’s General collection.
Fun Fact: When Silsby gave the money for the library he mandated that it was to be built on land that once housed his father’s store. Consequently a blacksmith’s shop had to be moved to another location.
The Acworth Silsby Libary, Acworth. Image Credit: John Phelan, CC BY-SA. 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Dunbar Free Library – Grantham
Address: 401 Route 10 South
Phone: 603-863-2172
Hours:
- Mon: 9-7:30
- Wed: 9-7:30
- Thurs: 9-5
- Fri: 9-12
- Sat: 9-2
In 1893, the library began when the Ladies Aid Society of Grantham bought 360 books followed by 150 titles donated from the state. There was no place to house them so the Society placed them in a corner of the Town Hall which, at the time, was across the street in The Methodist Church. J. Madison Howe was appointed as librarian, a position he held for 41 years.
In 1900, Lorenzo Dunbar offered a tract of land on Main Street plus money to build a town library in memory of his wife, Ellen. Voters accepted his gift, with the stipulation that a yearly sum of $50.00 would be raised to purchase new books. The building was completed in 1901 with a library room, a room for the Ladies Aid Society to meet, and one for the Town Hall. A very important “two-holer” was also built at the end of the central hall.
In 1933, Bernice Howe succeeded her father as librarian and also served for 41 years.
Fun Fact: Bernice and her father served a total of 82 years as librarians in Grantham.
The Dunbar Free Library, Grantham. Image Credit: Dunbar Free Library.
The Olive G. Pettis Library – Goshen
Address: 36 Mill Village Road North
Phone: 603-863-6921
Hours:
- Tues: 8-5
- Wed: 8-1
- Thurs: 3-8
- Fri: 3-8
- 1st and 3rd Sat of the month: 10-1
The Goshen library was named for Olive Graves (Parker) Pettis who was born and grew up in Goshen. In 1803 the New Hampshire Legislature officially incorporated the Social Library of Goshen which allowed the town officials to raise funds for expenses, to enlarge the library and to make rules and bylaws. Private homes, churches, or other various locations house the library. In 1889, a town meeting formally established the Olive G. Pettis Library after Olive’s daughter offered her mother’s personal library of 450 books plus a large sum of money to the library. The daughter also stipulated that the town provide suitable housing and a librarian and expend the sum of $25.00 annually for new books. The books were located in the front room of a house and opened in 1890.
After a fire in 1901, Mrs. Pettis’ grandson offered 800 new books and money for the construction of a new library. Construction began in 1906 and the current building opened in 1908. The total cost was $1,122.76.
Fun Fact: In 1890, the first librarian was paid an annual salary of $10.00 and the library was located in the front room of her home.
Two Librarians Uncover History
While researching information about this library, I spoke several times with Alex, the library director. My questions prompted her to do more digging into Olive’s past. She found that four years before her death Olive had a vision that prompted her to write a book called Autobiography by Jesus of Nazareth: Being His Historical Life Given by Himself Through the Inspiration of the Scribe which is available on Amazon. Soon the library will have a copy of this and will add it to the collection.
Stay tuned for parts two and three of the Libraries of Sullivan County series! Take some time to go check out your local library too!
The Olive G Pettis Library, Goshen. Image Credit: John Phelan. CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.