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A History of the |
Throughout the ages books have been a source of knowledge, understanding, escape and pleasure. It is for these
reasons that books have become a valuable item. Was there a better way for a monk to escape his cell, or a young
farm girl to travel to the city? What better way for early New England settlers to pass the long winter evenings
than to read by the fireside.
For this reason, one may be surprised to discover that no libraries existed in the first settled Valley Shore area
until the mid-eighteenth century. However, in 1737 a group of people banded together to form the Four Town Library.
Their library consisted of a donkey with shelves strapped to his back, a stack of books and a librarian, the donkey's
master. Passing through town once a month, his arrival became an event for both readers and non-readers alike.
It was regarded as a social gathering. The book exchange was operated on an auction-like basis. Once last month's
books were collected, they were auctioned off. The highest bidder had loan of the book for that month.
Records show that in 1760, the Four Town Library contained only three novels. They were Amelia, Sir Charles Grandison,
and Don Quixote. Fitzhugh Halleck, a poet from Guilford, recalled in his autobiography that the Library contained
"works of many standard English poets and novelists, essayists and historians" and "old and dog
eared well-thumbed copies of Goldsmith, Gibbon, Josephus, and Joseph Andrews, Pope, and Pultarch and Shakespeare
and Smollett, with numerous less used and heavy volumes." It has been speculated that these heavy volumes
were mostly theological in nature.
Libraries in the Shoreline did not resurface until well after the 1790's. This is with the exception of Chester
whose present library association was established in 1789. One can speculate that this was due to the town not
being located in close proximity to another town. Those that had been established were private and required a fee.
All this may be somewhat puzzling but at this point in history, the price of books was high, wages low, and time
for pleasure reading was hard to come by.
One explanation for the absence of a library in Deep River may be that the town then was still part of the Saybrook
colony. Old Saybrook established its library in 1854. No one may have thought that the Village of Deep River in
the Town of Saybrook needed a library of its own.
By setting up state guidelines, the Free Public Library Act of 1884 encouraged communities to set up public
libraries. In 1889, The Essex Library Association was formed. Public libraries soon sprang up all along the Connecticut
Valley.
Another encouraging factor was the formation of the Connecticut Library Association in 1894. Urged on by the Association,
the state provided incentives for towns to make their libraries public by offering grants of up to $200 yearly
to be spent on books. Acton Library of Old Saybrook began receiving funds in 1904.
Interest in establishing a library in the Deep River area was sparked in March of 1899. At this time, The New Era,
a weekly newspaper, ran an editorial that expressed the town's need for a library. For the next few months interest
grew and the idea matured. On October 11, 1899, a group of people met at H. P. Dennison's home to organize the
Deep River Public Library. Officials were elected and two committees appointed, one to investigate a suitable site
for the Library, and another to prepare and keep track of a list of books. The committee in search of a library
site was dubbed, "The Saybrook Library and Building Association for the Village of Deep River".
During the next two months the board busied themselves with preparations. It was voted that they apply to the state
for funds to purchase books. Selections were made carefully ordered from a Mr. Hazen in Middletown. The following
set of rules and regulations for operation of the library were drawn up:
-Two books can be drawn at one time.
-Books may be kept for two weeks and renewed for two weeks.
-Books must be brought to the Library for renewal. -A fine of two cents a day must be paid for adult books kept
over time and a fine of one cent a day for juvenile books.
-All books lost or injured must be paid for.
The committee for locating a suitable library site reported that Mr. H. N. Hull had offered to give up part of
his room in the Town Hall Building and to act as librarian. During a town meeting $200 was appropriated to establish
and operate a library.
Five months lapsed during which time shelves were installed, books numbered, and cataloged. Everything was made
ready for the opening.
The Deep River Public Library opened its doors to the public on May 26, 1900, offering 675 volumes to choose from.
Mrs. Nellie Post was employed as the first librarian. Shortly after its opening, an offer of books and money by
Mary Post and Sara C. Mather was accepted.
Operations ran smoothly and the organization prospered. Two and one-half years after the opening, the decision
was made that non-residents be allowed the privilege of borrowing books. However, a deposit of no less than one
dollar was needed for security. It was also at this time that the growth of the library was recognized, and at
the suggestion of the Selectman, the organization moved its shelves into the larger Probate Room.
Just four years after opening, the Deep River Public Library had outgrown that room. The Library and Building Association
was put into action to raise money for a suitable library building. Frederick L'Hommedieu was appointed chairman,
and a set of by-laws was drawn up. The by-laws dictated an election which put Rev. J. H. Messenger as President,
Charles R. Marvin as Vice President, Rev. C. F. Fisher as Secretary and Harvey J. Brooks as Treasurer. Finance
and Entertainment committees were also set up. Mary J. Burroughs was employed as librarian.
At the annual meeting in September of 1905, the finance committee wrote a letter to be distributed throughout the
town to solicit funds for a new building. It read as follows:
Dear Friend:
For some time there has been a growing demand in our village for a Public Library Building, as the room now occupied by the Public Library is altogether inadequate, being used in part for other purposes, and the library is accessible to the public for only part of two days each week. We desire a building that will be ample for the future growth of the library and having reading rooms well supplied with current literature to be open to the public six days in the week, which will be also an ornament to the town.
For this purpose an Association has been formed which will attempt to secure the sum of $15,000 at least, from the present inhabitants and former residents who may be still interested in the welfare of their native town.
We address this letter to you, hoping thereby to acquaint you with our plan and intentions. If you should feel disposed to aid in our efforts, it will he greatly appreciated, and for that purpose we enclosed a card and addressed envelope to be returned to the Treasurer of our Association, who will promptly acknowledge receipt. If you should desire more information concerning our undertaking, it will be cheer fully furnished upon application to any of our officers.
Most respectively yours,
Harvey J. Brooks E.W. Jennings J.H. Russell J.G. Desmond and William LaPlace Finance Committee
At this time, Andrew Carnegie, world renowned steel tycoon, attempted to make a deal with the Association. He
would donate $5000 to the Building Fund if the Association agreed to spend $500 a year on maintenance and upkeep
of the building. Feeling that $500 was an exorbitant and unnecessary amount, the Association declined the offer.
Carnegie did, however, succeed in funding over 1600 public libraries across the United States as well as nearly
1000 University and European libraries.
March 23, 1906, brought an open meeting of the Library Association so that citizens could express their preference
as to a site for the library building. An informal vote was taken and the ballot result was "Banning"
lot - 54, "Smith" lot- 11, Odd - 2.
The Association members present at that meeting then voted to purchase the Banning-Smith lot combined, located
at the corner of Essex Street and Main Street for a sum not to exceed $900 for the site of a new Library building.
At this meeting, Frederick L'Hommedieu was elected Secretary to replace resigning Rev: Fisher. Mary Burroughs,
having fallen ill, resigned. Lena A Bailey was appointed as the new librarian.
During the annual meeting in September, 1906, it was voted that E. P. Auger be hired to survey and submit plans
for grading the lot on which the library building was to be built.
No definite plans for the library lot were made. However, in 1908, the annual meeting voted fifty dollars for the
improvement of the lot at Essex and Main Streets. The following year $225 was appropriated for the formal grading
of the lot.
An architect by the name of Palmer finally submitted plans for a new library building in April 1913. After a general
explanation of the plans, the board voted to request that a new sketch be submitted. At a special meeting of the
Building Association in May 1913, the board voted and approved Palmer's new sketch and authorized a go ahead of
more detailed plans.
During 1914 the library was forced to close its doors for a period of twenty-three days. This was due to the prevalence
of scarlet fever in the area.
By 1916 the Saybrook Library and Building Association had reached the one-third mark with a bank balance of $5454.17
and by 1931 the sum had grown to $12,009.44. Perhaps it was the encouraging progression of the building fund that
prompted the library to open a branch in the Winthrop School. Miss Chittenden was put in charge of the project.
Books were carted back and forth between the two sites at regular intervals. The service appears to have been used
frequently by many people.
There was very little change in directorial forces until 1923, when Rev. E. 0. Grisbrook was elected President,
Edward Burke, Vice President, Harvey J. Brooks, Treasurer, and Frederick L'Hommedieu, Secretary.
Nineteen hundred twenty-four brought the deaths of two men who had served on the Association since its inception.
Frederick L'Hommedieu and Frank Hefflon had tributes paid to them by the board. Richard Stevens, a new member,
was elected President, John Shea, Vice-President, Harry Marvin, Secretary, and Harvey J. Brooks as Treasurer.
In July, 1927, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, W.C.T.U. donated a beautiful grandfather's clock to the
library. The chimes still charm the library.
The Winthrop School Branch was discontinued in 1930 clue to the closing of the school.
On August 19, 1932, a special meeting of the Association was called to discuss the purchase of the Spencer property
for a library from the Estate of Julia S. Spencer. This property was located at the corner of Village and Main
Streets in Deep River, across from the Deep River National Bank. Considerable discussion followed the proposal.
It was decided that the advice was worthy of a thorough investigation. A committee, consisting of the following,
conducted the inquiry: Mr. E. G. Burke, Harvey J. Brooks, Miss Elma Tyler, William LaPlace, and Mrs. E. C. Moore.
This special committee reported to the Association on October 19, 1932 and stated that "...the building would
lend itself to the purpose of a Library Building excellently".
The Town of Saybrook held a special town meeting on December 16, 1932 to hear the proposal. Although it was the
depth of the depression, Deep River had its heart set on building a library and people expressed their bitterness
for not being able to do so. Harvey J. Brooks was able to convince the majority that it would be in the Town's
best interest to buy the Spencer property.
Richard Spencer had built the house in 1881 on the corner of Main and Village Streets on land bought by his father
George in 1825. Richard was born in 1820 in Deep River Village, son also of Julia Pratt Spencer. Upon reaching
adulthood he worked for George Reed and Co., before forming a partnership to manufacture ivory goods with Ulysses
and Alexis Pratt, called Spencer & Co. After his first wife died he moved to Corning, New York and went into
banking. In 1866 he came back to Deep River; in the same year he married Miss Julia Selden of Haddam and he was
elected President of Deep River National Bank. Later, in the early 1880's he served two years as Twenty-first District
Representative to the State Senate where he was Chairman of the Committee of Fisheries and of the Committee of
Banks.
The late nineteenth century was a prosperous time for the Connecticut River valley communities. Small towns such
as Essex, Deep River and Chester flourished with an increase in trade and population. Small manufacturers took
advantage of waterpower on the Deep River to create jobs and thus prosperity. The pride and wealth of the area
was evidenced in a flowering of local architecture. When Spencer decided to build a home for his growing family,
he did so in the newly popular Queen Anne Style. The first American house built in this style was the Watts Sherman
House in Newport, Rhode Island, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson. 3
The Spencer home proved to be a classic example of the irregularity in layout and the color/texture variety characteristic
of Queen Anne. A number of outer wall surfaces are found on this building. The ground story of brick followed by
clapboard stories above is a common combination.
The upper stories, which project beyond those below, are ornate with half-timbering in the gables. (see fig. #1)
The many windows take on a variety of shapes, glazed in plate or stained glass. Two beautiful windows are on
the west, or back side of the house. The high multiple A-roofs account for the odd outline of the building. Chimneys
are also an important feature of the Queen Anne style, the Spencer house has four.4 It also originally had a large
porch on the side facing Village Street, a feature that was important to the overall effect of the style. (see
fig. #2)
Although Library Association money was used to purchase the Spencer house and land, it was given by the Association
to the town as a gift. The town agreed to provide maintenance to the property as long as the building was used
for a library and other civic purposes.
After the purchase was secured, Mr. Harvey J. Brooks was put in charge of the Spencer renovation. The building
was repaired, repainted, and a new heating system installed, and new bookracks made.
Clara E. Moore was the first librarian in the new library, which opened on May 10, 1933. This occasion was celebrated
with a public whist sponsored by the Garden Club. People who attended came from several neighboring towns. Proceeds
from the whist were used to beautify the grounds. Three hundred twenty-one books were circulated that day, the
largest for the year.
The Deep River Library building proved to be a very civic building. The second floor served as headquarters for
the American Legion and the Garden Club. Classes such as those offered by the Red Cross often took place. The Board
felt the library should not lend its use to dances. They believed it did not uphold the purpose of the building.
Nineteen hundred forty-one brought World War II. The library became engaged in the war effort by collecting books
to send to our troops overseas. The Deep River Library donated 688 books to the Victory Drive.
In 1943 Emmy Scholfield was elected Vice-Chairman of the board. Up until this time, she had been very instrumental
in library development. Mrs. Scholfield suggested where there were gaps in reading materials and helped establish
library programs, which included Story Hour for Children.
At this point there was much discussion of the library board on how to publicize the library and have it become
well known in the area. One of the more disturbing aspects of the early library was the frequent announcement to
board members that there was a need to weed out the stacks. This may appear to be a practical means of making space
for newer books but in the process many very old and valuable volumes were lost. Apparently none of the original
books remain.
During the 1940's, the State library funding was cut back. Libraries requesting State Aid were required to purchase
books from a set list. Any desired books not on this list were to be obtained from other sources. Through articles
in the New Era, the library appealed to book club members asking them to donate last year's books.
In April 1949, Lois Ingram was unanimously appointed as the new librarian. Mrs. Ingram had spent many years as
an assistant to her mother, Clara Moore, continuing her hard work and dedication until her resignation in 1980.
Along with the appointment of Lois Ingrain, 1949 was a year of expansion. Story Hour was extended to include picture
studies and music. Through a state library grant the Board was able to purchase a record player and records. A
countywide book loan system was organized of which the Deep River Library was a part.
It was also at this time that the State sent in a library consultant to evaluate the library. It was reported that
Deep River did not measure up to State standards. However, many suggestions for improvement were made and the library
was quick to take action. The foremost suggestion was to install a telephone.
The only threat to Deep River library's security was a 1949 proposal to build a new facility. A group of townspeople
proposed that the Spencer house be torn down and the property sold. The money would be used to build a new building
on Library Lot, the piece of land on the corner of Essex and Main
Streets. A local man recalled that as a boy he and his friends could never understand why this was Library Lot
when the library was a few blocks up the street. During a town meeting to vote on the proposal, Miss Alys Marvin
stood up and gave a vehement plea for the present building and its architectural value. She managed to sway the
town to a 4-1 vote against the proposal. The extra piece of land was more formally dubbed Library Park.
The 1950's were years of community involvement and smooth functioning for the Deep River Library. After having
gotten a strong foothold, it flourished in the center of the community. Library Board meetings returned to the
fist Monday of each month after having been held quarterly for quite some time. A reading comer for high school
students was set aside and the lending of phonograph records began.
In March 1954, the Secretary of the Board reported that Bill Scholfield had agreed to design the library's first
sign. It was to be old fashioned in design in keeping with the town and building.
What soon became an important issue for the library was the introduction of a Regional Library bill to the legislature
in December, 1954. The bill, more formally Public Act 435, was an $80,000 appropriation to set up a "center
in Middlesex County to serve public libraries and public schools where supplementary services are desired.''5
After much examination and discussion, Deep River went on record as being opposed to the bill as did many other
area libraries, including Acton Library in Old Saybrook. The opposition to the bill stemmed heavily from fear of
losing localized control of libraries. The bill, nonetheless, passed. At first, Deep River declined services offered
by the Regional Library, but later appointed Harold Muggieston as representative to the Regional Board.
In 1956, the first after-hours Drop Box was purchased and installed on the front steps. New rules for summer residents
were made, requiring a one-dollar deposit per book refunded upon return. At this time, Essex Elementary School
held its fist book fair. Board members attended to purchase children's books.
Once again, the library was faced with the issue, of what activities were proper for the library building. This
time, someone wished to offer dance lessons on the second floor. Board members felt that this was not proper use
of the library and voiced their opposition at a town meeting. The disagreement stemmed mostly from the ownership
of the building by the town, yet the principle user being the library. The issue was to come up again and again
with no real solution.
The Deep River Library became more active in the community during Library Week, 1958. Extensive publicity, including
posters and press releases, announced the library's activities. Book displays were set up in the drugstore and
in the Church Hall of the Winthrop Church. A public swap table was set up. This idea was most likely a spin-off
from the Swap Group formed between area libraries. Members from each library meet every three months at a rotating
location to swap light fiction, detective, and western books and ideas. Proof of a greater community awareness
of the library was that in the past ten years the number of registered borrowers had more than doubled, going from
587 in 1948 to 1375 in 1958.
The year 1958 also marked the library's first request that the town remove the porch on the south side, Village
Street, of the building.
During 1959, Daniel Connors and Philip Henebry were elected members of the Board. They were a more than welcome
addition and gave priceless service to the library and its development. That summer the deposit for summer residents
was raised to two dollars a book.
Being a community establishment, the Deep River Library grew to use the resources around it. The high school was
a source of workers that the library often drew from. Several boys were hired to build new bookcases or FLX steps.
High school girls could often be found typing catalog cards, tending the desk, or working as an assistant. The
annual magazine drive at the high school was used to renew subscriptions.
In 1962 Daniel Cormors' book Deep River was published and proudly added to the library's volumes. A year later,
Mr. Connors succeeded Harold Muggieston who had held the demanding position of Chairman of the Library Board for
many years. Mr. Muggieston continued serving as a board member. At this time, it was decided to allow students
from Essex and Chester to borrow books for a small fee.
During National Library Week 1967, Deep River boasted a large public paperback swap. This was instigated under
the direction of newly elected board officers: Daniel Connors, Chairman; Harold Muggieston, Vice-Chairman; Martha
Stone, Secretary; and Martha Deckleman, Treasurer; Philip Henebry, Assistant Treasurer.
It was in 1967 also that the Deep River Library joined the Teletype service offered by the Connecticut State Library.
This enabled Deep River residents to obtain books from libraries in Hartford, New Haven, Greenwich, and Bridgeport,
which offered more extensive selections.
The plot of land known as Library Park continued to be a perplexing issue to the Deep River community. It was determined
that it be used for town purposes. In 1969, the American Legion solved the problem. Until this time, a painting
that served as a honor roll to those men and women from Deep River who had served in World War II had stood in
front of the library building. The painting had been done in 1943 by C. D. Batcbelor, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist,
and a resident of Deep River. The Legion realized that the monument was a valuable piece of work and should be
duly cared for. They proposed to restore it and move it to Library Park where it could be maintained.
At a town meeting a special War Memorial Committee was set up to see to the maintenance and care of the monument
and property. The land is now known as Memorial Park.
A furnace explosion in March 1970 caused damage to books and interior requiring extensive cleaning and redecorating.
Deep River residents were invited to use the Chester Library during the clean up.
Seventy-five years of an established library saw changes and growth with the community around it. In 1975, tho
Deep River library offered 10,669 volumes and 140 record albums to choose from. This was a growth of nearly 10,000
books from 675 it opened with in 1900.
The library was forced to close on December 13, 1977, for 3 months due to flooding from frozen pipes. However,
a superior clean up job was done mostly by staff and volunteers.
During 1980, "Friends of the Deep River Library" was established. The purpose of the Friends "is
to maintain an association of persons interested in libraries and books; to stimulate more interest in the library
by providing enrichment programs for the children and adults of our community; to focus public attention on library
services, facilities, and needs; and to stimulate gift of books, magazines, desirable collections, endowments and
bequests."6 This group provided a new facet to library services by offering a variety of programs. Speakers
were brought in to provide information on nutrition, quilting, gardening, and gypsy moth control, among other topics
and classes. Numerous children's programs were also offered, such as Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, Bushy Hill Nature
Center, art lessons, storytellers, etc. Also sponsored by the Friends is the Annual Book and Bake Sale and a quarterly
newsletter.
In 1982, Olive Shumway and Harold Muggieston did not seek reelection to the Board. After giving so many years of
excellent service, their input and their presence would be greatly missed. Also, in 1982, a tradition of thanking
volunteers and staff began with an excellent Christmas dinner party.
The Friends sponsored a contest for a library slogan in 1984. Laura Janoski, a student at Valley Regional High
School, won with her slogan "Hands Open Books, Books Open Minds".
Insufficient space had been a problem almost since the Library first opened. Old, seldom circulated books were
constantly weeded out, but by the 1970's the problem was becoming acute.
Finally in 1984, First Selectman Joseph Miezejeski filed a letter of intent for a Federal Small Cities grant of
$300,000. The plan was to not only take care of the library's space problem, but also that of the visiting nurses,
the senior citizens, and the Tri-Town Youth Service Bureau. The selectman appointed a committee with Librarian
Susie Smith and Director of Tri-Town Youth Service Holly Read the original co-chairmen.
The committee spent four dedicated years of hard work, yet in the end their efforts came to nothing. They hired
an architectural firm, presented plans to many town meetings, received and renewed grants from Federal and State
agencies and the local Holmes Trust, raised money and donations of material from townspeople, arranged for temporary
Library quarters during the expected construction and received town referendums approval twice, but in the end
the whole project had to be discarded.
The low bid came in considerably above the $1.4 million that the town meetings had approved. The building committee
tried to cut down the project, a local ad hoc group put on a fund raising drive, the First Selectman backed the
Committee proposals, but the Finance Board became increasingly disenchanted and finally in December, 1988 voted
against allowing the committee's last request for increased money to go to a town vote, thus killing the whole
project. Walter Pierson and Craig Swartz succeeded the original co-chairmen, with other members of the committee
being, Joseph Miezejeski, Emma Marvin, Robert Stalsburg the Selectmen of Deep River, along with Jane Haeni, Elin
Dolle, Holly Read, Maryann Novajosky, Caroline DoUe, Susie Smith, Patfica Damon, Grace Pesapane and Lola Bairstow.
These people provided countless hours for a project dear to their hearts, and the hearts of a good many townspeople.
It was unfortunate that the Library Center project was overshadowed constantly by the State mandate for much more
costly town sewers.
So the Library continues to have problems finding space for new books, but in 1992 it received a large bequest
from Ruth Johnson who had served on the Board from 1957 to 1965, and had contributed many extra hours to the Library.
She directed that the funds be used for expansion so there is new hope for a way to solve the problems of inadequate
facilities. In the same year bequeaths also came from Hazel Clark and Kathy Pierson.
The Library Board felt that if there was not going to be expanded quarters some attention had to be given to the
Library space. In the late 80's the inside was painted, new floors laid and new carpets installed, a new roof,
and finally hot water.
Even if the Town does not have a new building, there is now a new circulating desk.
The Rockfall Foundation of Middletown allowed the Library to keep its grant given originally for expansion. Part
of the money was used to pay for clearing out the marsh to the rear of the Library. High School students identified
various plants and helped publish a brochure about the area. The rest of that money and more from the Deep River
Garden Club went for plantings around the building. These will be more easily admired when benches purchased from
the Kathy Pierson memorial funds are installed.
As the century draws to a close the Library can look back in pride at its years of service to the Deep River Community
and like Janus, also look ahead to expected expanded facilities which will allow it to better serve the townspeople
in the new century.
CHRONOLOGY OF LIBRARIANS
1900-1905 Nellie Post 1905-1906 Mary J. Burroughs 1906 Jessie Brainard 1907-1924 Lena A. Bailey 1924-1949 Clara E. Moore 1949-1980 Lois lngram 1980-1986 Susie Smith 1986-1986 Kathy Lee 1986-1996 Susie Smith 1996-1997 Karen Carreras Hubbard 1997-1999 Kristin Johnson 1999-2012 Ann Paietta 2013-Present Susan J. Rooney |
(Fig. #1) |
1906 Jessie Brainard II ** 1953 Asta Isaben 1954-55 Elizabeth Latham 1957-58 Judy Mullen 1959 Joan Carlson 1960-61 Nancy Cooper 1962-64 Linda Dencue 1965-66 Louise Deneue 1967-69 Kathleen Koch 1970-80 Irene Bengston 1975-78 Susie Smith 1978-86 Joan Suozzo 1980-Present Snrah Adams 1986-87 Lois Tynan 1987-89 Joan Wetmore 1987-88 Alicia Grendziszewski 1989-Present Jim Davis 1990 Dale Schneider |
(Fig. #2) |