Essex Public Library
Dublin Core
Title
Essex Public Library
Subject
Bicentennial quilt; Essex Library Association; Essex, Connecticut
Description
The first public library in Essex was established about 1889. An Essex resident, Dr. Russell, gave the use of a room at his offices, rent free, and donated 50 books. In 1895 a fair was held by the Library Association and sufficient money was realized to purchase the lot which had been the old Union House grounds; the library at its present site was opened in 1898. By 1899 the library had 2,000 books of wide variety. This building near the corner of Main and South Main Streets was made possible through the generosity of Captain Joseph Tucker who left a bequest of sufficient amount to build and furnish it free of encumbrance. In 1900 the library was open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
It was not until the 1920's that the library was opened to the general public and began requesting funds from the town. Until then only members paying dues were allowed to use the facility.
In 1939 space problems were alleviated by the donation of $3,000 by Everett Dickinson for the addition of a rear section in memory of his mother, Frances. A need to further expand library facilities was noted in 1954. In 1960 the need for a new building was deemed critical. Various sites were examined and rejected for different reasons. In 1969 the Dickinsons gave their North Main Street home to be used as the library. The Association decided it would not meet the need for modern library facilities and it was sold. Plans were made to build the library in a corner of the town park, and this too was rejected. Presently the Association has purchased the property on the corner of West Avenue and Grove Street opposite the Town Hall (formerly Pratt High School), and hopefully there will be a modern Essex Library in 1978.
It was not until the 1920's that the library was opened to the general public and began requesting funds from the town. Until then only members paying dues were allowed to use the facility.
In 1939 space problems were alleviated by the donation of $3,000 by Everett Dickinson for the addition of a rear section in memory of his mother, Frances. A need to further expand library facilities was noted in 1954. In 1960 the need for a new building was deemed critical. Various sites were examined and rejected for different reasons. In 1969 the Dickinsons gave their North Main Street home to be used as the library. The Association decided it would not meet the need for modern library facilities and it was sold. Plans were made to build the library in a corner of the town park, and this too was rejected. Presently the Association has purchased the property on the corner of West Avenue and Grove Street opposite the Town Hall (formerly Pratt High School), and hopefully there will be a modern Essex Library in 1978.
Creator
Pendleton, Ruth
Publisher
Essex Historical Society
Date
1976
Contributor
Little, Matthew W.
Rights
Essex Historical Society
Format
Digital Image, Adobe pdf
Language
English
Type
Still Image
Identifier
Quilt_42
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
The first public library in Essex was established about 1889. An Essex resident, Dr. Russell, gave the use of a room at his offices, rent free, and donated 50 books. In 1895 a fair was held by the Library Association and sufficient money was realized to purchase the lot which had been the old Union House grounds; the library at its present site was opened in 1898. By 1899 the library had 2,000 books of wide variety. This building near the corner of Main and South Main Streets was made possible through the generosity of Captain Joseph Tucker who left a bequest of sufficient amount to build and furnish it free of encumbrance. In 1900 the library was open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
It was not until the 1920's that the library was opened to the general public and began requesting funds from the town. Until then only members paying dues were allowed to use the facility.
In 1939 space problems were alleviated by the donation of $3,000 by Everett Dickinson for the addition of a rear section in memory of his mother, Frances. A need to further expand library facilities was noted in 1954. In 1960 the need for a new building was deemed critical. Various sites were examined and rejected for different reasons. In 1969 the Dickinsons gave their North Main Street home to be used as the library. The Association decided it would not meet the need for modern library facilities and it was sold. Plans were made to build the library in a corner of the town park, and this too was rejected. Presently the Association has purchased the property on the corner of West Avenue and Grove Street opposite the Town Hall (formerly Pratt High School), and hopefully there will be a modern Essex Library in 1978.
It was not until the 1920's that the library was opened to the general public and began requesting funds from the town. Until then only members paying dues were allowed to use the facility.
In 1939 space problems were alleviated by the donation of $3,000 by Everett Dickinson for the addition of a rear section in memory of his mother, Frances. A need to further expand library facilities was noted in 1954. In 1960 the need for a new building was deemed critical. Various sites were examined and rejected for different reasons. In 1969 the Dickinsons gave their North Main Street home to be used as the library. The Association decided it would not meet the need for modern library facilities and it was sold. Plans were made to build the library in a corner of the town park, and this too was rejected. Presently the Association has purchased the property on the corner of West Avenue and Grove Street opposite the Town Hall (formerly Pratt High School), and hopefully there will be a modern Essex Library in 1978.
Original Format
Cloth fabric, quilting square, handicraft art
Collection
Citation
Pendleton, Ruth, “Essex Public Library,” Essex Library Association digital quilt, accessed April 27, 2024, https://bicentennialquilt.omeka.net/items/show/42.