Winthrop Public Library's Digital Heritage Collection

History of the Winthrop Public Library (1855-1961)

"No public edifice in our town in its plan and construction has ever excited the general interest which attaches to the new library building made possible through the gift of $10,000 by Mrs. Merrill Frost, in memory of her husband, who was for years previous to his decease, an honored resident..."

"Upon invitation of the trustees of our Public Library some 200 citizens gathered in the building on Tuesday evening, May 22nd, to witness the unveiling of an oil portrait of the late Morrill Frost, painted by the celebrated artist, Mr. Darius Cobb...."

"No public edifice in our town in its plan and construction has ever excited the general interest which attaches to the new library building made possible through the gift of $10,000 by Mrs. Merrill Frost, in memory of her husband, who was for years previous to his decease, an honored resident..."

"...In October 1897 Mrs. Eliza W. (Morrill) Frost of Winthrop offered $10,000 toward the erection of a library building to cost at least $20,000, and to be called the Frost Public Library in memory of her husband the late Morrill Frost. Efforts to raise by subscription the amount needed to make the gift available proving unsuccessful, Mrs. Frost's proposition was brought before the town at the annual meeting in March 1898; the town unanimously voted $10,000 toward the building; and also purchased a lot of land on which to erect the same ground was broken for this purpose Aug. 29, 1898, and the building is now being erected from plans drawn by Architect Willard M. Bacon."

"Mr. Morrill Frost, formerly of Frost & Deaborn, restaurant keepers, at 6 Pearl street, died at his home in Winthrop, Friday. He was born in Oldtown, Me., seventy-three years ago. When he was about twenty years old he came to Boston and found employment with Kendall, who kept the restaurant under the Old State House. Later he established a restaurant and periodical room in the railway station at Worcester in 1850. He carried on business there for twenty years or more, and early in the 70's came to Boston and formed a partnership with Mr. Deaborn, and five years ago retired to private peace."

"Winthrop June 27 – The new Frost Public Library was dedicated this afternoon with appropriate exercises, which were held in the assembly hall of the high school building…"

"Winthrop Aug. 29 – The first sods were turned today on the site for the new Frost public library in Columbia sq. with the usual ceremonies attending such occasions…"

"...The expansion of the library has been proposed to town meeting in the past, but that body has rejected the request by the library improvement committee. The late George Hyde bequeathed $355,000 to the town library enabling it to go ahead with the addition Mr. Hyde was a frequent patron of the library prior to his death and his concern for its future caused him to will the money...."

"A gift of $355,296 from this state of George W Hyde in 1969 culminated more than a decade's search for funds to expand the Winthrop Public Library has made possible the construction of the new wing that will open officially Sunday, September 4th...."

"...Up at the library they are still staggered by the kindness of George W. Hyde. He left $235,000 to create a new wing.
   Such philanthropy is not unusual. What gives this episode its personal touch is the Mr. Hyde also bequeathed personal legacies to each of the library staff, including $1000 to the lady in charge of the establishment for 50 years."