Look up at the big windows on the Main Street side of the Meekins Library—and what will you see tonight? The Library’s own minature main street village buildings sparkling with lights from within.
If you were strolling down this special small-scale village street on a winter evening, you would find many buildings familiar to our own town. The bright red fire station, with trucks ready to dash out the big doors, sits next to the white New England church with a tall steeple. The Victorian house with its red bay window with a green wreath is tucked up against the rustic horseshoe-bedecked Blacksmith and Livery and Feed shop. The stone library with its arch-shaped windows and clock tower, is short against the tall maroon and white cottage house with a tower. The little red schoolhouse with the door peeking open ready to let the student’s out, has by its side, a little yellow house with a great big wreath in the picture window. The three-story, well-wreathed red brick flower shop compliments the many-colored Deco movie theater—which is screening “White Christmas”, of course. Then there is the simple white house with red shutters, where Santa’s reindeer are already visiting. And the Geneal Store, which is also the Post Office and the local barber shop, complete with a festive barber pole, rounds out the town. And all shine brightly day and night.
These cheerful and merry winter village buildings are the special gift of our Meekins neighbor, the late Shirley Cranston. She loved the holiday season. A creative and talented craftsperson, Shirley decorated her home for every holiday. More than a decade ago, she gave the Meekins her festive winter village to display because she wanted more people in the community, especially the children, to enjoy it. The Meekins has been displaying the village in various places in the Library for many years.
This year, come into the Meekins Library and enjoy Shirley Cranston’s winter village buildings on our long windowsill And, then you can enjoy it again, as you drive or walk by on these early dark winter nights and look up to see joyful lights shining in the little buildings of the miniature main street. The Meekins is open Tuesday 10-6; Wednesday 1-7; Thursday 3-6; and Saturday 9-2. The village lights are always on in the dark. Daria D’Arienzo, Meekins Archivist and photographer. #throwbackthursday; #tbt.
Posted to Facebook 12/18/2025
