Bixby Memorial Free Library

Last updated
Bixby Memorial Free Library
Bixby Memorial Free Library.jpg
USA Vermont location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Vermont
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bixby Memorial Free Library (the United States)
EstablishedNovember 4, 1912 (1912-11-04)
Coordinates 44°10′03″N73°15′13″W / 44.16742244°N 73.25354363°W / 44.16742244; -73.25354363 Coordinates: 44°10′03″N73°15′13″W / 44.16742244°N 73.25354363°W / 44.16742244; -73.25354363
TypePublic Library
CountryUnited States of America
Website bixbylibrary.org

Bixby Memorial Free Library is a public library located in Vergennes, Vermont. The library serves five Vermont communities: Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes, and Waltham.

Contents

History

William Gove Bixby was born in Vergennes, Vermont, in 1829, one of four children of William and Lucy Bixby. Except for a short time spent exploring business opportunities in Colorado, he lived most of his life in Vergennes. As a young man he was in business with his father who owned a hardware store in the Sherman Block and he later owned several manufacturing businesses along Otter Creek. He was an avid boater and spent much of his time on Lake Champlain in his boat and on his island in Thorpe’s Cove in Charlotte. Mr. Bixby was fond of fine paintings and good literature. His generosity aided many charitable institutions and churches.

When he died in 1907 he bequeathed money to several institutions and former servants, but the bulk of his estate was left to establish a public library for Vergennes. This was a surprise to all, as he had told no one of his wishes. It should be mentioned that the bulk of his money had come from his sister Eleanor who had been married to a Chicago hotel man. Upon her death her Chicago real estate and wealth of stocks and bonds went to her brother. It was largely these funds which made the building of the Bixby Library possible.

The cornerstone for the Bixby was laid in September 1911. [1] On August 1, 1912, the 3,530 volumes plus public documents, government reports and unbound magazines of the City Library were transferred to the newly opened Bixby Library and dedication ceremonies were held on October 1, 1912. At the dedication, President John M. Thomas of Middlebury College said:

“The free public library is one of our great modern democratic institutions. It is supported by all for the uplift of all…This library should be a working tool for this community, entering into every part of its life, industrial, educational, civic and religious.”

On November 4, 1912, Bixby Library was first opened for the circulation of books, and every day until November 12, students and their teachers from the elementary and secondary schools visited to sign up for library cards and check out books—a total of 239 students. In addition to providing materials for circulation and places for quiet reading or study, the library was a community center. During World War I, the basement rooms were used by the Red Cross and, thereafter, were available to local residents for rest and relaxation from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. By the tenth anniversary celebration on October 5, 1922, an annual circulation exceeding 30,000 was reported, a figure that increased to 39,903 in 1931. [2]

Services

The Bixby Library's holdings includes books, large print books, audiobooks, DVDs, eBooks, and periodicals. The library provides free WiFi access, public computers, and printing services.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Carnegie</span> American businessman and philanthropist (1835–1919)

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist. Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. He became a leading philanthropist in the United States, Great Britain, and the British Empire. During the last 18 years of his life, he gave away around $350 million, almost 90 percent of his fortune, to charities, foundations and universities. His 1889 article proclaiming "The Gospel of Wealth" called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society, expressed support for progressive taxation and an estate tax, and stimulated a wave of philanthropy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vergennes, Vermont</span> City in Vermont, United States

Vergennes is a city located in the northwest quadrant of Addison County, Vermont, United States. The municipality is bordered by the towns of Ferrisburgh, Panton, and Waltham. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,553. It is the smallest of Vermont's 10 cities in terms of population, though the city of Winooski covers a smaller area. It was the first city chartered in the state of Vermont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanstead, Quebec</span> Border town in southern Quebec

Stanstead is a town in the Memphrémagog Regional County Municipality in the Estrie region of Quebec, located on the Canada–United States border across from Derby Line, Vermont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haskell Free Library and Opera House</span> Historic site in Vermont, U.S.

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is a Victorian building that straddles the Canada–United States border, in Rock Island, Quebec and Derby Line, Vermont, respectively. The Opera House opened on June 7, 1904, having deliberately been built on the international border. It was declared a heritage building by both countries in the 1970s and 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Gospel of Wealth</span> Article written by Andrew Carnegie

"Wealth", more commonly known as "The Gospel of Wealth", is an article written by Andrew Carnegie in June of 1889 that describes the responsibility of philanthropy by the new upper class of self-made rich. The article was published in the North American Review, an opinion magazine for America's establishment. It was later published as "The Gospel of Wealth" in the Pall Mall Gazette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnegie library</span> Libraries donated by Andrew Carnegie

A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems. 1,689 were built in the United States, 660 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 125 in Canada, and others in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Serbia, Belgium, France, the Caribbean, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Fiji.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Public Library</span> Public library system in Chicago, United States

The Chicago Public Library (CPL) is the public library system that serves the City of Chicago in the U.S. state of Illinois. It consists of 81 locations, including a central library, two regional libraries, and branches distributed throughout the city's 77 Community Areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles A. Platt</span> American landscape architect

Charles Adams Platt was a prominent American architect, garden designer, and artist of the "American Renaissance" movement. His garden designs complemented his domestic architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trowbridge & Livingston</span> American architectural practice

Trowbridge & Livingston was an architectural practice based in New York City in the early 20th-century. The firm's partners were Samuel Beck Parkman Trowbridge and Goodhue Livingston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Van Buren Magonigle</span> American businessman

Harold Van Buren Magonigle (1867–1935) was an American architect, artist, and author best known for his memorials. He achieved his greatest success as a designer of monuments, but his artistic practices included sculpture, painting, writing, and graphic design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick Holbrook</span> American politician

Frederick Holbrook was an American farmer and businessman from Vermont. Active in politics and government, first as a Whig, and later as a Republican, he was most notable for his service as the 27th governor of Vermont from 1861 to 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Sansom Carpenter House</span> Historic house in Iowa, United States

The James Sansom Carpenter House was significant to Des Moines cultural history from 1906 to 1939. The 13 acre property named Oakwood estate by its owners J. S. Carpenter and his Spouse Florence L. Carpenter because of the old growth oak forestation. The Carpenters' collection was deemed by art critics as one of the finest collections of etchings and lithographs in America. The house held the Carpenter collection of 125 paintings and 350 etchings. J. S. Carpenter was also known as Sannie or Sandy after his oddly spelled middle name. J. S. Carpenter, a bridge building magnet, founded the Des Moines Association of Fine Arts in 1916. The Association members each contributed $100.00 annually for the purchase of paintings and sculptures. The members also received a 25% discount on art purchased at Association events. Carpenter was known as the Guru of fine arts by the Des Moines community. Visiting artists and dignitaries came to Des Moines to sell their art and often stayed with the Carpenter's at Oakwood. Carpenter was president of the Association from its inception until his death of heart disease in 1939. The Association transformed into the Edmundson Art Museum in 1940 under the auspices of Association Executive member, and Carpenter's close friend Jay N. (Ding) Darling. Darling as President of the Edmundson Art Foundation merged the original collection into the present day Des Moines Art Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson W. Fisk</span> American businessman and politician from Vermont

Nelson Wilbur Fisk was a Vermont businessman and political figure who served as the 41st lieutenant governor of Vermont from 1896 to 1898.

.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace Arents</span> American philanthropist

Grace Evelyn Arents was an heiress, Christian activist and philanthropist in Richmond, Virginia. She inherited $20 million from her uncle Lewis Ginter, a tobacco business magnate and philanthropist, and she used the money to transform Richmond for the better.

Garry Chalmers Simpson was an American director, writer, and producer for more than 35 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank L. Fish</span> American judge (1863–1927)

Frank Leslie Fish was a Vermont attorney and judge. He was most notable for his service as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1926 to 1927.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Plankinton</span> American businessman in Milwaukee (1820-1891)

John Plankinton was an American businessman. He is noted for expansive real estate developments in Milwaukee, including the luxurious Plankinton House Hotel designed as an upscale residence for the wealthy. He was involved with railroading and banking. The Plankinton Bank he developed became the leading bank of Milwaukee in his lifetime. He was involved in the development of the Milwaukee City Railroad Company, an electric railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muskegon Historic District</span> Historic district in Michigan, United States

The Muskegon Historic District is a public and residential historic district in Muskegon, Michigan, consisting of the four blocks between Clay Avenue, Webster Avenue, Second Street, and Sixth Street, and the two blocks between Webster Avenue, Muskegon Avenue, Second Street and Fourth Street. The district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Strong (Vermont politician)</span> American militia officer and politician

Samuel Strong was an American businessman, farmer, militia officer, and politician from Vermont. He attained the rank of major general, and was most notable for his leadership of a contingent of Vermont militia soldiers during the War of 1812's Battle of Plattsburgh.

References

  1. The Stanstead Journal. The Stanstead Journal.
  2. "Building History • Bixby Memorial Free Library". Bixby Memorial Free Library. Retrieved 2021-08-20.