Our Founding
Harwich Port Library Chronology
The library has had many homes!
“It lived about as striving organizations do, at different ports of shelter.”
February 1920: It all started with a gift of 400 to 500 books by Mrs. Anne (Harold S.) Van Buren.
March 5, 1922: Mr. W. Sears Nickerson called a meeting to decide on the deposition of these books. Elections were held; board of directors named; library membership set at fifty cents.
1922 Notable gifts to the library’s building fund included:
January 3, 1923: In three years the volume of books grew to 3,469 books. The annual report shows a circulation of 6,880 books for that year. The building fund received $1,022.90 and a desirable building lot was gifted by summer resident Mrs. Paul Gray of Detroit.
March 23, 1923: The library is incorporated under the name “The Harwich Port Library Association.”
July 2, 1924: Deadline for sealed building construction proposals.
July 4, 1925: The building is dedicated with much fanfare—patriotic speeches and prayers—attended by 500 people; celebrated author Joseph Lincoln present; tea and dancing to orchestral music until 6 pm. Prior to the dedication a clam bake was held at Ayer Lane for 400 guests.
“The Harwich Port Library is established not only in our town but in our hearts and is for the use of the people; but at the same time it should be regarded by the people as a sacred trust to maintain and support. “ (source: The Harwich Independent, July 15, 1925 on the dedication of the building July 4, 1925.)
The library is an authentic reproduction of old Cape Cod architecture and was designed by Mr. Walter Trowbridge Littlefield. (Boston) It included a kitchen, a “Community Room” for meetings and performances capable of seating 200 people, and on the second floor houses the exhibit of the Harwich Historical Society. The building was designed with living quarters for a resident librarian, but never occupied as such.
The library has had many homes!
“It lived about as striving organizations do, at different ports of shelter.”
- Its first home was in the Red Cross Rooms (rent being paid by Mr. E. G. Eldredge)
- Subsequently moved to J.B. Bakers
- Then to the other half of the Florence building
- Followed by the store next to the Modern Theatre
- To permanent (and current) location on Bank Street.
February 1920: It all started with a gift of 400 to 500 books by Mrs. Anne (Harold S.) Van Buren.
March 5, 1922: Mr. W. Sears Nickerson called a meeting to decide on the deposition of these books. Elections were held; board of directors named; library membership set at fifty cents.
1922 Notable gifts to the library’s building fund included:
- $1,000 Mr. Gideon Freeman
- $1,000 Marquise de Ser of France (Mrs. Van Buren’s friend)
January 3, 1923: In three years the volume of books grew to 3,469 books. The annual report shows a circulation of 6,880 books for that year. The building fund received $1,022.90 and a desirable building lot was gifted by summer resident Mrs. Paul Gray of Detroit.
March 23, 1923: The library is incorporated under the name “The Harwich Port Library Association.”
July 2, 1924: Deadline for sealed building construction proposals.
July 4, 1925: The building is dedicated with much fanfare—patriotic speeches and prayers—attended by 500 people; celebrated author Joseph Lincoln present; tea and dancing to orchestral music until 6 pm. Prior to the dedication a clam bake was held at Ayer Lane for 400 guests.
“The Harwich Port Library is established not only in our town but in our hearts and is for the use of the people; but at the same time it should be regarded by the people as a sacred trust to maintain and support. “ (source: The Harwich Independent, July 15, 1925 on the dedication of the building July 4, 1925.)
The library is an authentic reproduction of old Cape Cod architecture and was designed by Mr. Walter Trowbridge Littlefield. (Boston) It included a kitchen, a “Community Room” for meetings and performances capable of seating 200 people, and on the second floor houses the exhibit of the Harwich Historical Society. The building was designed with living quarters for a resident librarian, but never occupied as such.