 |
The History of the
Public Library in Winthrop |
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|
One Hundred and Tenth Annual Report of the Officers
Town of Winthrop, Massachusetts
For the Year Ending December 31, 1961 |
| Curator's Report |
|
History of the Winthrop Library |
Sidvin Frank Tucker
Retiring Trustee and Curator of Museum |
| The reason for presenting this brief history of the results of the efforts of a long line of private citizens from 1835 to 1885 and of a Board of Trustees since then to date, is that it seems appropriate to issue this resumé at this time because enlarged and better quarters are so urgently needed. |
| Plans to this end have been under review the past several years and a knowledge of what "went before" will help to understand the present need. |
| In 1855 the population of the then new Town of Winthrop was 407 and thirty years later in 1885 it had increased to 1370 ... over three times as many. By 1898, when the present building was erected, the population was 6000 and today (1961) the building is greatly inadequate and difficult to administer for a population of 20,000, with 56,000 volumes on stacks unable to hold them all! |
| The purpose of issuing this resumé is to bring light to the present need and serve as a guide to the days ahead. Charles Knight (1791-1873) very ably expressed this when he wrote that History has a great office. |
To make the Past
intelligent to the Present for the
guidance of the Future |
| And in that spirit the present writer hopes this brief history will serve that purpose. |
The “Lyceum” Period:
1855 - 1885 |
| In 1855, just three years after Winthrop received its charter as a Town in 1852, the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, George B. Emerson and others gave to a group of citizens six hundred volumes of valuable books. The library thus formed came under the management of a group called Winthrop Library Association... an organization which by lectures and discussions on various subjects furnished entertainment and instruction to the people. The officers of this group were: President, Wm. W. Shaw; Librarian, Warren Belcher; and a finance committee of John Belcher, H. H. Fay, H. B. Tewksbury, Lorenzo Tewksbury and G. S. Shaw. The meeting place was in the Old School House on appointed evenings. |
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| The site of this Old School House was what is now the parking lot in the rear of the present Post Office in Metcalf Square. Schooling had long been given in this building for many years prior to 1852. When the first Town House was built in 1856 (on the site of the present Post Office) the Old School building was sold and removed to make room for the Town House. The Old School building is still in existence, forming the second floor of the dwelling at 278 Winthrop Street opposite George Street. The timbers and frame of the original building could still be seen in the unfinished attic under the roof when the writer visited it in 1936. |
| Just imagine the efforts one had to make in 1856 for a Floyd on his farm at the Highlands or a Tewksbury employed at the Revere Copper Works at Point Shirley in order to travel over dusty roads, taking down the bars of many gates through which the country road ran to reach the Old School House to hear the "words of wisdom" on an evening and to borrow a book! No auto, telephone, TV or electric lights. The Belchers living at the Center were nearer. |
| A printed catalogue of the Library Association is dated 1856 and it is presumed that the books were first circulated that year. A copy of that catalogue is preserved among the documents in the museum of the Frost Public Library. It is probably the only one in existence. The Secretary was William Francis Bartlett, then sixteen years of age, son of Charles L. Bartlett and Harriott (Plummer) Bartlett for whom Bartlett Road is named. It is an interesting fact that one of the first books purchased 30 years later in 1885 by the first Public library was the "Memoir" of this same Wm. Francis Bartlett. |
| From these "Memoirs" we learn that he was born 6 June 1840, that at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in 1861 and by June 1861 became a Captain in the Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, was Colonel of the Forty-ninth Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry, 20 September 1862, and Brigadier General of Volunteers in June 1864, finally becoming Major General in 1866 by brevet, his commission dated back to March 1865. He had been presented a sword in the Winthrop Town House by Governor Andrews on 28 March 1864 who pronounced him "the most conspicuous soldier of Massachusetts." When the war ended General Bartlett was the most striking of all the soldiers Massachusetts had sent to the field. In the following years his career was so useful and brilliant that had his life been spared there is good reason to believe that he would have become one of the most honored sons of Massachusetts. He died at the young age of 36 or 17 December 1876. It is, then with good reason that the Library feels grateful and honored to have had so illustrious for the first secretary of its parent Library. In humble recognition of our debt to so worthy a life there is hung on the wall near the entrance of the Library, the picture of Major General Willliam Francis Bartlett. |
| While Mr. Bartlett was Secretary of the Library Association, Mr. Warren Belcher acted as Librarian and the books were generally circulated. It seems, however, that not all of them were returned and sometime thereafter circulation ceased. Later ... in 1872 ... meetings of the Association were held in the Town House and books again circulated for a few months. Miss Judith C. Gardner, who was a teacher of the Grammar School, acted as the Librarian. This Association then had come to be known as thev"Lyceum." |
| Another Lyceum Association was formed in 1880 and on 16 October 1882 a Committee was asked to consider the matter of establishing a regular Reading Room and Library. |
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| Those chosen for the Committee were Warren Belcher, Levi L. Crane, David Floyd, 2nd, Dr. Samuel Ingalls and Rev. E. F. Merriam. Up to this time it is not now clear where the books had been kept but it is assumed that those who had acted as Librarian until then, kept them in their own home and those of members. The Selectmen commented in their Town Report for the year 1882 that: |
| "Efforts are being made to establish a Town Library. A very respectable number of books are already to be found in the Town House and scattered about in private families. It is very desirable that they should be collected and properly prepared for use and that the Town should as soon as practicable assume control of the Library." |
| Early in 1883 the Selectmen arranged to have a large book case constructed on one side of a room in the Town House, formerly occupied by the Grammar School. Mr. John Belcher, President of the old Lyceum then transferred to the Library Committee the five hundred volumes still left of the original Library and these were placed on the shelves. In November of the same year the Selectmen granted the use of this room... then called "Lyceum Hall" for a free Reading Room "except evenings when it had been granted to the Band." |
| Sweet Serenity and Peace!! |
| Sufficient funds were raised largely through the efforts of Dr. Ingalls prior to his decease, to furnish the room and provide reading matter. Of this the Selectmen (of which Peter S. Macgowan and John Belcher were members) said in their 1883 report: |
| "A few of our citizens have fitted up and furnished the Lyceum room in the Town House as a free Reading Room. The matter of making the Reading Room a town institution and combining with it a Town Library, the nucleus of which already exists, should receive attention." |
| On the evening of 3 December 1883 the Reading Room was opened to the public and certain evenings each week up to 1885. Warren Belcher and Charles E. Ingalls gave their time gratis to take care of the room. In June 1884 Miss Minnie K. Tewksbury was employed as Librarian. During the period up to the time that Trustees came into office in 1885, books and magazines were constantly being received, among which were some from Hon. Robert C. Winthrop. The Union Circle which had lately disbanded donated twenty-five. The zest with which this Library Committee entered its quest for a Public Library is illustrated by the fact that on 27 May 1884 a group of people appointed for the purpose visited various homes in the Town and obtained over one hundred books and two hundred magazines. |
| Early in 1885 different meetings were held and the town voted to establish a Public Library. This, then, ended the period of the private endeavors of interested townsfolks to maintain a Library for those willing to support it, and the beginning of a public institution available to everyone and supported by the Town as a whole. |
| The final accounting of the Lyceum treasurer in turning over accounts to the Trustees of the new Public Library as of 4 May 1885 was as follows: |
Subscriptions paid to Dr. Ingalls $ 67.50
Subscriptions paid to L. L. Crane 27.00
Donation from Mrs. S. T. Proctor 50.00
Part of town appropriation 50.00
194.50
Paid for tables and reading stands #32.00
Periodicals for 1884 and 1885 33.20
Binders for periodicals 9.20
Expressing 2.15
Miss Minnie K. Tewksbury 49.55
Books, by Mrs. Proctor's gift 50.00
176.10
Balance paid to Trustees $18.40 |
| The Mrs. Proctor mentioned above was Mrs. Sarah Tewksbury Proctor of Westford who then had the distinction of being the oldest living person claiming Winthrop as the place of nativity, the donation to be used to purchase books. |
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY PERIOD
1885-1898 |
| The privately supported facilities which had existed from 1855 to 1885 in one form or another under the name of "Lyceum" were now definitely launched as a public institution. The first Board of Trustees elected 4 May 1885 were David Floyd, 2nd, Dr. Horatio Sprague Soule (not to be confused with his son, Dr. Horace J. Soule) for one year; Levi L. Crane, Walter F. Wells, for two years; Peter S. Mac-gowan and John Ritchie for three years. Of these David Floyd, 2nd, was the vital and moving spirit, the others being no less enthusiastic in supporting the effort. Mr. Crane had been the Treasurer of the Lyceum and Mr. Floyd was the first Secretary of the Trustees for fifteen years to 1899 and also the Town Treasurer. Mr. Wells was the first Treasurer of the Library. Miss Minnie K. Tewksbury was the obvious choice for the first Librarian. |
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| The new Winthrop Public Library in a room in the Town House was opened to the public 30 January 1886. For the year 1885 the town had appropriated $200 for its support, of which $50 had been allotted to the treasury of the Lyceum in the early months of the year and the balance of $150 to the Treasurer of the Public Library. Of the books that were then available 379 were catalogued and a large number regarded as of doubtful use were laid aside for a later inspection. At that early date there were ninety-six persons who had taken out cards. The first financial account of the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the Library covering the nine months period from May 1885 to the year ending 7 February 1886 was as follows: |
Bal, from L. L. Crane, Treas. of Lyceum Com. $18.40
Balance of Town appropriation 150.00
168.40
Paid for Librarian Service $22.95
Book birding 44.30
Cash book for Treasurer .75
Expressing 1.00
Library fittings 38.50
Printing 7.50
Periodicals 11.60
Books 29.99
156.59
Balance $11.81 |
| This does not begin to show the value of the unselfish labors of those who put not only their dollars (unlisted in the above) but gave of themselves that others might enjoy advantages otherwise beyond their reach. |
| The first full year of operation (1886) was, according to the report of the Trustees, a "pronounced success having been well patronized by the citizens, also by the summer visitors at the beaches." The Library then had 506 books with a circulation of 2963 which shows there was an avid interest in reading. It had seemed best to divide the room in the Town House used by the Library, so as to separate the reading section from the circulating part and therefor a partition six feet in height was placed across the north end of the room with a large window to deliver books. Other improvements were added but with the same lack of funds that persists even to today the Trustees were not able to do as much as desired. During the year Mr. Crane and Mr. Ritchie asked to be relieved as Trustees and Frank W. Tucker was elected to fill the place vacated by Mr. Crane. (Frank W. Tucker was no relation to the writer, though years later both were close neighbors and friends with the same interest in preserving the history of Winthrop.) For the first full twelve months the accounts were: |
Balance from last year $11.81
Appropriation 200.00
Fines 12.22
224.03
Paid for books 91.87
Fittings 46.15
Librarian Insurance 62.25
Expressing 10.00 |
| At date of this report, 22 February 1887, the Trustees were, David Floyd, 2nd, Dr. H. S. Soule, Walter F. Wells, P. S. Macgowan and Frank W. Tucker. |
| The following year (1887) was a "gratifying success" and encouragement was received by the donations of books from many individuals among which were such prominent persons as Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge of Nahant, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop of Boston, Hon. J. D. Long of Hingham, Hon. George C. Crocker of Boston and Judge W. H. H. Emmons of East Boston. During that year Miss Florence L. Pomroy ("Flora") became an Assistant to Miss Tewksbury and when Miss Tewksbury resigned "Flora" became the Librarian in 1894. It was this same Flora Pomroy who married Arthur C. Dunham in 1902 and years later presented the Library with the considerable number of items of Lincolniana now in a case on the second floor of the present Library. That year (1887) another familiar name also enters, for Isaiah A. Whorf (father of Harry C. Whorf) became a Trustee and later served as Chairman in 1892. Mr. Macgowan, who was a member of the School Committee and also had been Library Treasurer in 1886, resigned in June 1887. |
| During 1890 and the years following action was taken through the leadership of David Floyd, 2nd, toward the collection of manuscripts and documents and anything connected with the history of the Town. He was indefatigable in his desire to put in shape the unwritten record of Winthrop's earlier days and his efforts in this respect are the foundation upon which we lean for the greater part of that history. Those of us who have followed in his path have benefited much from those beginnings. |
| The type of men who gave of themselves to further the Library's goals is shown by the testimony of those who knew Walter F. Wells of whom it was said when he died in 1890 that he "had a high sense of duty... searcher for truth... positive ideas... desired that all should have a chance to investigate matters of importance." By the leadership of such men was the Library launched. |
| By 1891, only six years after a "Public Library" was established in a room in the old Town House, the number of books had increased to 2300 with a corresponding increase in the numbers of those using the room. One has to sympathize with those Trustees and the Librarian when they reported that "here we meet with a difficulty... the room is extensively used by other Town officers as a reception room, cloak room, etc.... We see that at a time not far distant a Library of 10,000 volumes... and it is our unanimous opinion that a new public Library building is re-quired." The room had only been open for the Library a few evenings a week, and should have been open for every weekday evening. |
| The Trustees commented "we invite generous and pub-lie spirited citizens to consider our needs in this direction" and they would be glad to correspond with anyone willing to "start the ball a'rolling by a subscription." This, then, was the first voice to be heard for a building of its own for a Library and which some years later grew louder and obtained the attention it deserved. |
| The School Committee, of which Edward B. Newton was a member offered in 1896 the use for two years of two rooms on the lower floor of a new High School to be erected that year. This was the building now the Center School adjacent to the Junior High. Of course the Trustees gladly accepted this offer. The building was ready that Fall and on the afternoon of November 6 what was undoubtedly a welcome change from class work was enjoyed by some 200 children. |
| Through an arrangement with the School Committee the children, accompanied by Mr. Newton, Superintendent Douglas and the Misses Howard, Sears, Southworth, Ward and Wilkins assisted the Librarians and Trustees in moving the books from the Town House to the new rooms, a valuable service. On the following Wednesday, November 11th the School Committee and Trustees jointly held a reception to the people of the Town and the entire new High School building was inspected by several hundred people. Thereafter the Library was open to the public on the afternoon and evening of Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. There was accommodation for seating thirty-five people around well-lighted tables. |
| Increased interest in the Library was also shown by a large number of gifts... books, magazines and pictures, largely from residents of Winthrop but some from others. |
| Among these was Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. The Town had also increased the appropriation to $1200. In January 1897 the Trustees reported that they were gratified at the reception their efforts had received and that "we hope all of the citizens of Winthrop will realize the necessity of providing a permanent Library Building before the time comes for another removal." |
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| The "hope" of the Trustees expressed in the above paragraph being a refrain of their plea in 1891 for someone to "start the ball a'rolling" for a separate new building for the Library found its response in 1897. On 15 October 1897 an offer of $10,000 toward such a building was received from Mrs. Eliza W. Frost, provided the Town matched this with at least another $10,000. Such a building was to be named the Frost Public Library in memory of her late husband Morrill Frost. Her letter containing this offer is on page 248 of the Annual Town Report for the year 1898. |
| This generous offer was presented at the first Annual Town Meeting in 1898 on 28 March and was accepted grate-fully. The meeting voted unanimously to place on record its appreciation for the generous offer. The meeting then immediately appropriated $10,000 to match the gift and the Library Trustees were instructed to have plans made and to contract for such a building. They were also required to submit the location, size and price of such lots of land offered for a Library. |
| Later, David Floyd, 2nd, acting for the Trustees, on 11 April submitted the lots which had been offered: |
1. 53,380 sq. ft. Hermon Street next to the Baptist Church @ 17¢ $9,074
2. 16,167 sq. ft. Corner Fremont and Jefferson Streets @ 19 3,071
3. 17,699 sq. ft. East Side of Winthrop Street between estates of M. Austin and Warren Belcher @ 19¢ 3,476
4. 10,000 sq. ft. Corner Winthrop and Buchanan Streets Side @ 25¢-—East Side 2,500
5. 16,808 sq. ft. Corner Winthrop Buchanan Streets 25¢-West Side 4,200
6. 20,000 sg. ft. West Side of Winthrop Street of 0. F. Belcher @ 15¢ 3,000
7. 13,623 sq. ft. Corner Washington A venue and Thornton Park @ 26¢ 3,500
S. G. Irwin submitted a proposal for:
8. 14,680 sq. ft. Corner of Hermon and Lincoln Streets 2,900 |
| At this Town Meeting of 11 April 1898 there was considerable discussion and division of opinion as to which lot to accept. The lots 3-8-5-3-7-3-5-6 were voted upon in that order with uniform close votes. It was finally voted to purchase the lot "corner of Winthrop and Buchanan Streets" (which corner not stated) by a vote of 76 to 49. At a meeting on 18 April a motion to reconsider was lost 74 to 48. |
| However, at a Town Meeting held 29 June 1898 by a vote of 77 to 2 it was voted to rescind the 11 April vote and then proceeded to "hereby direct" the Town Hall Land Committee and the Library Trustees to purchase at a price not over $13,500 the lot bordered by Winthrop, Pauline and Hermon Streets and to determine the site of the Library and provide a site for erection of a Town Hall "when the Town shall vote to erect such a building." There was 57,000 sq. ft. in this lot. The above Town Hall Land Committee and the Trustees were: |
Delos M. Bristol George M. Whitaker
S. J, Donovan George W. Edgett
Channing Howard Alfred Phinney
Lyman S. Meston Francis A. Ingersoll
David Floyd, 2nd George S. Tolman
Frank W. Tucker Isaiah A. Whorf |
| This lot, known as "Blaisdell's field," consisted of 46,100 sq. ft. plus a smaller lot of 11,400 sq. ft. all of which was a wide open field where cows pastured. Hermon Street at that point then was a viaduct from Pauline Street to near the Baptist Church, traversing the lower portion of the lot. There was a passageway from the field running under the viaduct into what is now the schooi yard which then contained a pond where the cows watered. This was called "Bull Run." Even now the area in the rear of the Town Hall together with the School yard is considerably lower than the lawn in front where cows leisurely chewed their cud in days gone by. Under this vote these lots were purchased thus: |
Blaisdell heirs, Chelsea 46,100 ft. $11,000
Mrs. Harriet J. George, Winthrop 11,400 ft. 2,280
57,500 ft. $13,280 |
| The Trustees then proceeded to select an architect. While the right man was wanted regardless of where he might be found, with that object in view they had interviewed a number of leading architects and it was a matter of satisfaction that the ultimate choice fell upon a resident of Winthrop, Mr. Willard M. Bacon. The merit of that choice has been justified, for the Frost Public Library has stood the test of constant use for over sixty years. |
| Bids for constructing the building of Mr. Bacon's design were submitted and it was found that more could be done than the plans first called for. Contracts were allotted to: |
W. A. and H. A. Root-main contract $17,495
McNeil Brothers, plumbing and heating 910 |
| On 29 August 1898 at 8 o'clock in the morning ground was broken for what is now the Frost Public Library with brief and simple ceremonies in the presence of Town officials and others who had gathered in response to an invitation from the Trustees. Rev. Joseph Carden of the Episcopal Church invoked Divine blessing after which Mr. Channing Howard, Chairman of the Trustees gave a short sketch of the Library from the small beginnings of the Lyceum. The brief ceremony ended with the Benediction. Those present were grateful that Mrs. Frost was able to be present and join the exercises by removing the first shovelful of earth. |
| There was a small unoccupied one-story building at the corner of the lot at Winthrop St. and Metcalf Sq. which had been used as a store. This was sold for $43 and removed. Construction started and the resulting structure, built upon classical lines, was completed the following Spring. Surprise was expressed even then at the low cost and it is probable that such a building could not be duplicated today (1961) for less than five times as much as the ultimate cost shown below. The building fronts 70 ft. and is 30 ft. in depth with an extension in back for 40 ft. of a width of 27 ft. The final cost was slightly over $30,000 thus: |
Building:
W. A. & H. A. Root- Main Contract $17,955.10
McNeil Brothers- Plumbing and Heating 992.00
Electric Work 738.31
Hardware 300.45
Marble 1,004.00
Shelving 658.00
Furniture 875.95
Miscellaneous 239.52
22,763. 33
W. M. Bacon, Architect 1,082.00
23,845.33
Land:
Blaisdell & George $13,280.00
Landscaping 128.50
Grading 809.78
Retaining wall and steps 518.00
Shrubs and trees 124.53
Title, engineering, etc. 80.69
14,941.50
$38,786.83
Less one-half of land cost, which was for Town House Site also 7,470.75
Net Library Cost $31,316.08 |
| The entire cost of $38,786.83 was paid for by the gift of Mrs. Frost of $10,000 together with over $27,000 appropriations of the Town in addition to which there were several voluntary donations from residents and organizations (some of which are shown below) who were greatly interested in furthering the Library's efforts to embelish the interior. |
Miss Rosetta Key & Associates $176.25
Winthrop Emblem Society 10.00
O. E. Lewis, Chairman of Selectmen 613.00
Winthrop Masonic Lodge 281.00
Winthrop Horticultural Society 153.86 |
| It was commented at the time that these voluntary donations deserved more than passing notice as it showed a generous public spirit. Such acts as these are what puts warm blood into what otherwise would be just a building! |
| The following June (1899) the building was completed and on Monday 19 June the Library rooms in the then High School were closed permanently. The following Tuesday and Wednesday the children of the public schools (other than those of the High School whose school year had closed) moved some 4000 of the books to the new Frost Public Library under the direction of the Trustees, School Committeeman Newton, Superintendent Douglas and the assistance of teachers and librarians. The "Narrow Gauge" brought the pupils over from the Highlands and Beach Schools for this purpose and took them back again. The pupils were given several from the School and delivered and delivered them to the Library in the same order… returning for for more. The work was done rapidly and well in not over four hours in the two days. It was a much quicker and less expensive method than any other that could have been devised at the time. Many of these "children" are living today who will remember this event, among which is Mrs. Ruby Gilmore Tucker, wife of the writer. |
| Then the great day of opening the Frost Public Library arrived. On Tuesday 27 June dedicatory exercises were held in the High School to which all residents were invited together with a large company of State and neighboring City and Town officials and others interested in Libraries. Over 400 attended. Rev. W. M. Smallman of the Baptist Church opened with an Invocation. Mr. Floyd, Secretary of the Board of Trustees in a few words sketched the history of the Library Movement and the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Channing Howard, gave an accounting of the stewardship of himself and fellow workers in the use they had made of Mrs. Frost's gift and the Town's appropriation. Mr. O. E. Lewis spoke for the Selectmen and Mrs. S. E. Crowell read an original poem. The Hon. William Everett of Quincy gave a scholarly address on the value of a Library. (This lengthy dissertation was later printed in the 1908 Town Report.) |
| The entire audience then sang "America" with Mrs. F. W. Tucker at the piano. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. George H. Clark of the Methodist Church. Preceding and following the exercises the Verdi Quartette gave selections. Mrs. Frost was happily present and was gratified to see the completion of the work which was so largely the result of her gift and in the completion of which she had taken deep interest. In the evening the Library was opened to the public for the first time and for three hours it was filled with people. The First Regiment orchestra furnished music. |
| A regular staff came into being with the new Library building, Miss Florence L. (Flora) Pomroy was Librarian; the Misses Bessie F. Cordes and L. F. Collins, Assistant Librarians and Wm. A. Aiken (father of Harry W. Aiken who later was Town Treasurer for many years) as Janitor. |
| Thus ended the many long years of efforts of a host of civic minded citizens for a much-needed Library building worthy of the Town, very greatly hastened along by Mrs. Frost's generous gift. In the words of the Trustees for the year 1898 they: |
| "Witnessed the emergence of the Library from being a parasite dependent upon the generosity of other Town departments [Town House and the Schools] to the dignity of an existence of its own." |
| It has seemed just, that these early days of the Library movement in Winthrop from 1855 to 1899 should be given somewhat in detail to illuminate the trials, tribulations and difficulties under which those early leaders labored. We should, indeed, feel much indebted to them and the writer who has given close study to the times reviewed and is therefore closer to the subject pays grateful tribute to them for the bequest they have left to Winthrop. |
FROST PUBLIC LIBRARY
Period since 1898 |
| The following attempts only to summarize the chief events and affairs of the Library after it opened on 27 June 1899. Prior to 1898 all Library accounting was done by a Library Treasurer to whom had been paid the entire Town appropriation and the expenses were paid by him directly. With the much-expanded financing occasioned by building the new Library, all accounting was transferred to the office of the Town Treasurer which thereafter has made all disbursements. The cost of operation of the Library for the first full year of 1899 is shown here, because it was the first year of the new Library: |
Balance from previous year $ 127.44
Town appropriation 1,800.00
Fines, etc. 67.00
Total receipts 1,994.44
Salaries-Librarians $318.11
Salaries-Janitor 175.02
Dedication expense 121.28
Books and magazines 374.25
Binding 112.35
Supplies 126.40
General expenses 254.80
Coal 67.50
Pictures and frames 197.76
Insurance 195.00
Express 38.40
Total expenses 1,980.87
Balance $13.57 |
| The Trustees had commissioned the well-known artist Darius Cobb of Boston to paint a portrait of Mr. Morrill Frost. This was ready in the Spring of 1900 and on 22 May invitations were extended to those who had remembered the Library by gifts and interest, to view the portrait. The unveiling was by Miss Pauline Tucker (daughter of Frank W. Tucker) and Master Roland Howard (son of Channing Howard) amid applause. Mr. Channing Howard introduced Mr. Cobb who spoke briefly of his art and of the man he had so well portrayed. Miss Rosetta Key added much to the evening by some songs. Mrs. Eliza W. Frost was present for the occasion and expressed satisfaction with the artist's work. |
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| During the year of 1900 there were a great number of donations of books and various other items... pictures, stat-uary, show cases, etc. Typical of the variety was a collection of birds which he mounted himself, from Mr. Harry C. Whorf (later a Trustee)... desk used by Gilbert Haven (who afterwards was Bishop Haven) used by him in the first School House in Winthrop... model of a lobster smack ... toll bridge sign from the Main Street bridge... manuscript of Deane Winthrop... and many others. An extensive list of gifts up to that time was put in the Annual Report of 1 January 1900. Since then gifts have usually been noted annually. Among these later ones is a collection of natural history specimens (mostly birds) from Mrs. Louise Souther in 1922 and another smaller collection from Wm. G. McNeil; mortar and pestle used at the Revere Copper Co. works at Point Shirley by chemists in testing ores in the 1840's; bell used to call the workmen to dinner at the Sturgis salt works at Point Shirley in the 1820's and a map of the area by Charles Russell Sturgis at the time; lantern used by brakesman of Narrow Guage on last run 27 January 1940, and a host of other items. |
| For the following sixty years to date it is sufficient to only briefly note chronologically some events during that period, for the Library stands now in the same spot, visible to everyone just as it did in 1899 with very little interior change and none outside. |
| The 50th anniversary of the Town was duly celebrated in 1902 and the Library co-operated fully in a fitting manner on that occasion. On Tuesday 27 March appropriate exercises were held and in the evening the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, David Floyd, 2nd, delivered an address in the High School hall. On the same day an exhibition of over eight hundred articles loaned and donated was open to the public in the upper rooms of the Library. The Town, of course, had customary parades, bands, firemen's muster. sports, etc., usual for events of special note. |
| The Civil War monument (now standing on the Hermon Street front of the Town Hall lot) formerly stood in the center of the lawn of the Library and Town Hall where dedicatory exercises were held 30 May 1907 under the auspices of the Winthrop War Veterans Assn. A great concourse of people was present and appropriate exercises held. Mr. David Floyd, 2nd, representing the Trustees gave an address on Winthrop's part in the War. The monument was moved to its present site in 1929 when the new Town Hall was built. |
| We pause at this point to para tribute to a late Trustee who was associated with the Library longer than any other, Mr. Eugene P. Whittier, who first became a Trustee in 1914 and served continuously until his untimely decease in December 1958. To him more than any other single person since the Library was built is due the unselfish contribution of vision, time and leadership in furthering the best cultural interests of the Town through the Library. To those who now try to follow his example it is a challenge. |
| In the same year Miss Dorothy L. Kinney was first associated with the Library and since 1930 been the Librarian, ever a loyal and faithful servant to those who seek her guidance in literary fields. |
| The Library became a focal point for those working in support of World War I efforts. The upper west room was put at the disposal of War Campaign Committees in 1917 ... the Red Cross, Red Triangle and Soldiers War Library. For this latter purpose $600 was the quota for the Library to raise and went "over the top" with $665. In addition and through the aid of towns people the Library sent 193 volumes to the Soldiers' Library at Camp Devens in Ayer and 70 books and 300 current magazines to Fort Banks and Fort Heath in Winthrop. |
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| This year 1917 was also the year that the map of Point Shirley made by Charles Russell Sturgis about 1814 was given to the Library by Mrs. Marion T. Olsen. This was then mounted on linen by an expert. Several years later Mr. Channing Howard had reduced photo copies of this map made and a number of them were given by him to various residents of the Town. |
| Mrs. Eliza W. Frost who by her generous gift of $10,000 was so largely responsible for the fund that was raised to build the Library, died 20 December 1919. She had retained her interest in Winthrop, though when she passed away her home was in Winchester. As the Trustees then said: |
| "To live in the hearts of those we leave behind, is not to die." |
| So also does Mrs. Frost and her husband live through the Frost Public Library. |
| On 12 June 1930 a new Town flag staff on the center of the lawn facing the Library and Town Hall was dedicated as part of the Town's participation in the State's Tercentenary Celebration of 1930. On this same occasion a striking pageant was presented on the Library steps through the means of a model of a large book. When the volume was opened by the Librarian, various personages from the past history of the Town stepped forth and greeted the Board of Selectmen. This was under the direction of Trustee Frank W. Tucker. The new Town Hall had lately been erected the previous year. |
| For many years the increased use of the Library and the ever present crowding of space made it necessary in 1937 for the Trustees to vacate its meeting room at the rear of the first floor in order to provide additional room for the Librarian. They therefor "moved" to the second floor on the main landing from which they were a few years later forced to vacate to make room for more book stacks, moving to the adjoining room on the east... the "museum" ... hoping not to be classified as "museum pieces" themselves! Such has been the crowded condition of the book stacks throughout the building that it is an ever increasing problem and cause for criticism of those using the Library. |
| This year also (1937) a "find" developed in a then unlighted space on the second floor behind a door leading to the eaves under the roof of the rear portion of the Library. In 1913 when David Floyd, 2nd, passed away the Trustees then said in extolling Mr. Floyd's interest in Winthrop's history, that "it is hoped that the Library will come into possession of the addresses delivered on various occasions by Mr. Floyd dealing at length with the history of the Town." |
| The "find" referred to above were eleven manuscripts to those same addresses. Mr. Floyd undoubtedly put them there himself years ago together with various pictures and miscellaneous items of Winthrop interest. No one had had occasion to look in the "eaves" after 1913 and it was a surprise to the writer of this resumé when he personally found them when investigating the "eaves." These addresses were later typed in 1937 by pupils at the High School through the good offices of the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Edward R. Clarke and the head of the typewriting department, Mrs. Mabel H. Hurley. |
| Two copies were made and bound for the Library where they are now available and in care of the Librarian. The typing was a valuable service by the High School students, who were: |
Dorothea Black Elizabeth Stanwood
Emily Hussey Elizabeth McLean |
| With increasing population, greater demands were made on the Library and after discussion by the Trustees with School Authorities, the School Committee granted the use of two rooms in the Beach School for a Branch Library which was first opened to the public 16 June 1937. Prior to that time a "Deposit" station had been used on a very limited basis at Point Shirley, which was then closed as users of the Library facilities were much more adequately served by the Beach Branch than was ever possible under the old arrangement. This Beach Branch later had to move into another one room at the Beach School in June 1949. To the Beach Branch the Winthrop Chapter of Hadassah had presented a book case 27 May 1953 at a presentation meeting at the Branch. Even this one room had to be relinquished for school use in December 1957 as the School itself was in need of space. All the books, shelves, delivery desk and chairs were transferred to the main Frost Public Library, greatly aggravating an already crowded condition. The Assistant Librarians were retained and transferred to the Main Library. |
| The indexing and arranging of the Library's possessions in the museum was undertaken in 1937 and much progress made. Theretofor there had been no regular catalogue of such items. Lest someone ask "why hasn't there been?" the answer is that the Library's primary and predominant function is the care of its literary affairs, and with a limited staff and budget it could not cope with a department that was purely a museum, without neglecting its primary purpose. Hence, the historic collection of the museum has been the special field for some Trustee to guide and make his personal effort. That being so, such cataloguing as had been done in prior years was rather scattering and an attempt has now been made to put things on a better basis. It is a large order the size of which can be judged from the fact that among the affects are some 1800 documents going back to the 1600's dealing with deeds, agreements, tax bills, Winthrop Farm papers, etc., etc., plus a mass of articles like bells, desks, pictures, maps. |
| War again... 1945. Plans for enlarged quarters, which had been formulating for several years, had to be put aside. Arrangements had to be and were made at the Library for air-raid precautions, Dim-Outs and Black-Outs and the safety of staff and patrons. Later, at the conclusion of the War a larger Library was proposed as a "Post War" project and a cut of a plan for a small addition was put in the 1945 Town Report. The then preliminary estimate of cost was approximately $40,000. These "Post War" projects were deferred again and again. That was nearly 20 years ago and the cost of a comparable addition today would probably run to five times as much or more. |
| The heating system broke down completely in 1948 emphasizing again the repeated pleas for a larger Library. It was necessary to break through the cement floor in the basement throughout, in connection with this breakdown. And the front doors of the Library had to be refitted at considerable expense to comply with requirement that doors open outward. |
| By 1951 the vault of the Library in the basement was filled to overflowing, so much so that one could hardly get in the door. In that situation the writer of this resumé was delegated by the Trustees to investigate the matter. He discovered that prior to the time when the present Town Hall was built (in 1929) the Library had been asked to store in its own vault "temporarily" a large quantity of old records from the Old Town House and were asked a second time when it was in process of being torn down. It was found that some of these records went well back of 1900 ... one a Town Treasurer's book for 1872 and another a deed of 1856 to the lot adjacent to the Old Town House and over 40,000 cancelled checks for the years 1895 to 1910. All these books and papers were removed to the basement floor, reviewed personally by the writer who made an exhaustive and extensive report of twenty-nine pages filed with the Board of Selectmen which will be found in the 1951 Town Report. This made space in the vault available to the Librarian, but in the past ten years it is filling up again very fast. It is sufficient to say that all Town departments were asked to view and signify which of all these papers they desired to keep and were then delivered to them. The balance were discarded. |
| In connection with the Town's Centennial Celebration in 1952 there was published by the Town a "History Winthrop" written by Wm. H. Clark, a former Trustee. |
| The Town Committee who had the matter in charge of issuing this History used the Library as headquarters where the source of much of the material in the book could be found. The writer of this resumé furnished the author of the History all the illustrations and made three of the maps for it, edited and proof read the entire manuscript and wrote three of its chapters. The Library was designated as custodians of the books, which were delivered to subscribers on call. There are still a few left. |
| Definite action was taken by the Trustees in 1955 with a view to relieving the crowded condition of the Library now "bursting at the seams." Under the leadership of the late Mr. Eugene P. Whittier the Trustees sponsored the insertion of Article 63 in the Town Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting of March 1955, and action was taken thus: "Article 63. Voted: That the Moderator be and is hereby authorized to appoint a committee of seven citizens, three trustees of the Winthrop Public Library, the Superintendent of Schools and three other citizens to investigate the need of enlarging the Main Library Building to provide an additional Reading Room, urgently needed additional stack space, adequate toilet facilities and a new heating system, said committee to report at a future Town Meeting and that the sum of $1500 be raised and appropriated for the expenses of said committee." |
| Those who were appointed to this committee in the Fall of 1955, known as the Library Improvement Committee were: |
Trustees: E. P. Whittier, Chairman, Carolyn S. Belcher, Frank C. Gorman
Superintendent of Schools: Orrin C. Davis At Large: Russell F. Hughes, Leslie Walker, Frances Masovetsky, Secretary
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| Since then there have been changes by reason of death and resignation, thus: John M. Milne, Jr., Chairman; Daniel k. Appleton, Trustees, in place of Mr. Whittier, de-ceased; Mr. Gorman, resigned; Mr. Arthur W. Dalrymple, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. Thomas J. Donovan in place of Mr. Walker, resigned. |
| Preliminary consultations with several architects indicated an estimate of over $200,000 to make the necessary addition and changes. Later estimates entailing more extensive plans ran close to $400,000. Continued meetings and consultations ran into the fact that to solve the whole problem and provide the critically needed larger quarters in a way to adequately serve a Town of 20,000 would unquestionably require a very large sum of money. |
| At the point in recent years where some of these discussions gave evidence of decision the Chairman, Mr. Whittier, fell ill and in convalescence it appeared at first he would recover and resume his leadership. In that situation the Committee functions remained in status quo and no definite decisions were made during the first year after his untimely decease in 1958. During the past year the present Chairman of the Trustees who is also the Chairman of the Committee and succeeded Mr. Whittier, has re-activated the Committee and has hopes to have some definite plans to lay before a Town Meeting. |
| Over the past fifty years the matter of control of a young unruly element has become in recent years an irksome problem, where none should exist in a cultural institution like a Library. Prior to both World Wars it was relatively rare but since then, more frequent and torrid. In 1958 no less than seventy-nine expensive books of reference... encyclopedia, etc. were ruined where some perverted young minds had written foul words and phrases in ink on pages and margins of some and in others had cut out pictures or torn out whole pages. Suspicion in such cases can be rife, though useless to apprehension but in one or two cases those who cut out pictures were discovered and parents notified. An extensive list of the damage in 1958 is in that year's Town Report. |
| A few years ago the late Arthur C. Dunham bequeathed to the Library $250, the income to be used in support of Library expenses. This came from his estate by the wishes of his deceased first wife Florence L. (Pomroy) Dunham, a former and early Librarian of the Public Library until 1302 and who had died in 1930. Mrs. Florence Dunham Known familiarly as "Flora" Pomroy until her marriage to Arthur C. Dunham in 1902 had been associated with the public Library almost from its inception in 1885. This wish of hers is symbolic of those generous souls who were earlier interested in the Library movement. The bequest was received by the Town Treasurer in February 1957 on the settlement of Mr. Dunham's estate. |
| Another welcome gift came in 1959 in the form of the original floor plans (on linen—1898) of the Library which were received from a son of the late Willard M. Bacon, the architect of the Library, through the son's aunt, Miss Nellie Bacon of Winthrop, she being a sister of Williard. Mr. Bacon the son has been a resident of Florida and what few plans of his father that he had retained fortunately included those of the Library. |
| In the pressing need to conserve space a policy was initiated in 1959 of microfilming the bulky and voluminous file of bound Winthrop newspapers from 1882 to date. At this time Dec. 1961) sixty-nine volumes to the year 1930 have been done with more to do to finish the project. A viewer has been procured with which to scan the microfilmed newspaper pages. Not the least of the advantage of this policy, is the preservation of the contents of newsprint, as the latter is fragile and deteriorating fast. |
| In order to acquaint the Town Advisory Committee with the pressing need for more space the Chairman and Secretary of the Advisory Committee were invited to and did meet with Chairman Gorman and Secretary Tucker of the Library Trustees at the Library on 14 February 1959. A thorough inspection of the entire building was made from which Chairman Nelson and Secretary Curtis of the Advisory Committee had a better understanding of the problems and needs of the Library than could otherwise have been had and thus aided the Advisory Committee in their deliberations. |
| To emphasize the critical need for space it should be noted that on 5 February 1959 the Building Inspector notified the Trustees that not more than eight persons should be on the second floor at a time and that children should be excluded entirely because of the lack of sufficient egress and that fire escapes should be installed. Under this ruling the use of the second floor becomes useless for meetings or exhibitions as in the past, which only expensive alterations and additions can remedy. This will have to await decision on plans under study at present. |
| The heating plant having broken down several times in recent years the Annual Town Meeting of March 1961 was asked to and did vote to pass Article 69 proposed by the Trustees for $12,500 for a new plant. The plant was installed in the Fall and was functioning in October with an oil burning system and a 7600 gallon tank under the lawn on the Winthrop Street front. Consideration was given to the usefulness of this plant in connection with the contemplated addition to the Library building. |
| Concluding the foregoing history of the Library and to bring back to memory the labors of those civic minded citizens who gave not only of their time and dollars but of themselves in the Library movement of years ago... and call back to mind those of more recent years who have served as Trustee or on the staff there is annexed to this resumé a Roster for the past hundred years from 1854 to date. |
| The information on the preceding pages has come from such a multitude of sources that it is well to record it here "under one roof" so to speak where it can be readily available for reference to all that concerns the Library. In the hope that this serves the Purpose mentioned in the beginning the undersigned retiring Trustee and writer leaves this, in the words with which it opens: |
To make the Past
intelligent to the Present for the
guidance of the Future |
| May the future measure up to the example of the past. |
SIDVIN FRANK TUCKER
Retiring Trustee and Curator of Museum
Dec. 31, 1961.
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