Memorial Hall Library

From Andover Answers
Revision as of 13:42, 10 May 2013 by Kim (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

In 1870 John Smith, owner of Smith and Dove Mill, offered to donate $25,000 to establish a public library providing the town raise an equal sum. The town was able to raise a substanial amount, but was short of the $25,000. They then added funds previously raised to construct a monument to the Civil War to reach the goal. A two story structure was built; the Library on the first floor and the Civil War Memorial on the second floor. At the dedication on May 30, 1873, the saying "Lest We Forget" in honor of Andover's Civil War Veterans was placed above the front door. The second floor Memorial and the saying have remained intact throughout the Library's history.


Additions to the original Library

  • 1926 - addition of a Children's Room
    • The plans for this addition were approved in 1925. The architects were Coolidge and Carlson.
    • MHL moved to lower Town Hall during the renovation.
  • 1961 - extension of the Children's Room
  • 1966 - the Reading Room was extended
  • 1988 - ground breaking ceremony for completion of a rear wing that more than doubled the size of the library: the old section was 20,000 square feet in size; the addition was 30,000 square feet.
  • "Andover Memorial Hall Library to Mark its 75th Anniversary," Lawrence Evening Tribune, May 19, 1948.


A Chronology of Memorial Hall library can be found on Chronology of Memorial Hall Library


Miriam Putnam, MHL library director from 1939 to 1967, wrote, "Civil War Memorial Expands to Meet Present Day Requirements." See below:

...Civil War Memorial Expands to Meet Present Day Requirements, p.1.... click to enlarge
...Civil War Memorial Expands to Meet Present Day Requirements, p.2.... click to enlarge
...Civil War Memorial Expands to Meet Present Day Requirements, p.3.... click to enlarge


See



--Eleanor 20:52, December 28, 2006 (EST)

back to Main Page