The Libraries of Sullivan County Part 4

As this blog series reaches its final chapter, we reflect on the enduring importance of the libraries in Sullivan County and beyond. 

Thirteen of Sullivan County’s fourteen towns and one city are home to public libraries, a testament to the enduring belief in the necessity of libraries for all. Each library in the county tells its own unique story—a story of vision, dedication, and community pride. From the legacy of Col. Ithiel Homer Silsby that shaped Charlestown’s Silsby Library to the deeply personal touch of Springfield’s Libbie A. Cass Memorial Library, these institutions are living monuments to the people who built and nurtured them. They serve not only as repositories of books but as treasures of history, culture, and community.

Written by Mary Ferland
Resident of Claremont since 1973

Books on Brown Wooden Shelf. Image Credit: Polina Zimmerman on Pexels.

The Philip Read Memorial Library – Plainfield 

Address: 1088 NH 12A 

Phone: 603-675-6866

Hours: Mon & Weds   2pm – 6pm

  Tues & Thurs  9:30am – 1:30pm 

Fri               1pm – 5pm 

Every 2nd & 4th Sat  10am – 2pm 

The first library in Plainfield was established in 1805 and was called the Social Library of Plainfield, The historical records do not indicate how long this existed. These early libraries were dependent upon individuals for their existence and as the founders aged, died or lost interest, they faded away. 

In 1920, Edmund S. Read, who grew up in Plainfield, wished to honor his father and provide the people of Plainfield with their own library. He constructed the Georgian Revival style building we see today and presented it to the town.

Fun Fact: The Plainfield Township is unique in that it supports two libraries: the Philip Read Memorial and the Meriden Library.

Philip Read Memorial Library, Plainfield. Image Credit: Mary Ferland.

Meriden Library – Meriden

Address: 22 Bean Road NH 12A 

Phone: 603-469-3252

Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 9:30am – 1:30pm

                Tues & Thurs 2pm – 6pm 

                Every 1st & 3rd Sat 10am – 2pm 

In 1797 the New Hampshire legislature approved a petition from several villagers to incorporate a library in the village. Various homes were used to house the books until 1815 when they were moved to a building at Kimball Union Academy. When that building burned in 1824, a new collection of books was moved to the Congregational Meeting House. That building also was destroyed by fire but the books were saved and moved to a private home until the Town Hall was built in 1896. The Brown School housed the library from 1911 to 1965. A permanent building was dedicated in 1965 but, due to ADA non-compliance, energy inefficiency & hazardous materials, it was demolished in 2021 and a new energy efficient building opened in 2023. 

Fun Fact: Meriden was the earliest village in NH to offer a library for its residents.

Meriden Library, Meriden. Image Credit: Mary Ferland.

Richards Free Library – Newport 

Address: 58 N. Main Street 

Phone: 603-863-3430

Hours: Mon 1pm – 6pm 

Tues, Weds, Thurs 10am – 8pm

Fri 10am – 6pm 

Sat 10am – 2pm 

“The most beautiful library you will ever visit.” One can find this quote on the Facebook page for the Richards Library and I believe it’s true. The building is one of the finest examples of Colonial Revival architecture in New Hampshire, built in 1898-99 for Seth Mason Richards, son of one of Newport’s wealthiest families. A Boston architect designed the three story home and carriage house. Hira Beckwith of Claremont built it. The Richards family gave the property to the town in 1962 to use as the library. 

Fun Fact: The former carriage house is now the Library Arts Center. 

Richards Free Library, Newport. Image Credit: Mary Ferland.

The Unity Free Library – Unity 

Address: 13 Center Road

Phone: 603-543-3253

Hours: Mon, Thurs, Fri  12pm – 5pm 

 Sat       9am – 2pm 

The library is located in the Unity town office building. It is a cozy space with comfortable reading chairs, free internet and books for all ages.

Fun Fact: The library and town office are located in the former Chase Tavern built in approximately 1800.

Unity Free Library, Unity. Image Credit: Mary Ferland.

Conclusion

I began this research project with a quote from Henry Ward Beecher from 1862:  “A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life.” I feel the same, which is why I chose to make library work my profession. Hopefully you have found these articles interesting and informative. We should all be proud that the forefathers of Sullivan County knew the importance of libraries and voted to support them. My hope is that this journey through the libraries of Sullivan County has inspired you to visit, use, and support your local library. Rediscover its treasures, celebrate its history, and help ensure its future… libraries are a necessity, after all.