This pen and ink sketch of the historic Haydenville Library in the center of the village was created in 1989 by the late Williamsburg attorney and artist, Kenneth Bowen, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the building. The drawing graced the cover of the town’s 1989 Annual Report. The building still looks the same, now, almost 135 years after it was built.
The Haydenville Library Association was organized in 1884 for the purchase of books, and first opened in the Center School in town. The small library building represented in this sketch was a gift to the town by Miss Anna I. Hayden (1835-1912), daughter of Josiah and Ann Lewis Hayden, in 1889 in memory of her brother, Charles Rowley Hayden (1845-1886), whose portrait hangs near the fireplace.
At that time, the building cost $1000 and was built diagonally across the road from the Joel and Josiah Hayden Greek revival family homes to the south of what is now the Brassworks. Groundbreaking was in August 1889 and the building was dedicated on November 18th. The presentation speech was given by Hugo Reid and Wilbur Purrington provided the response.
The building is now used for special library programs and events. Prints of the 100th anniversary sketch are available for a donation at the Meekins Library. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 9/28/2023