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Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 10 |
Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
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Source: April 1959 Volume 10 Number 3, Pages 59–61 The new Easttown library In the November 1947 issue of the Tredyffrin-Easttown History Club Quarterly Miss Margaretta Atkinson speaks of two unsuccessful attempts to start a Library, one in 1888 or 1889 and the other in 1895 or 1896. Then a meeting was held in October 1985 which was followed by one on November 16th at which time the committee was instructed to secure a room for six months. Miss Atkinson traces the Library's history through 1946 very carefully. The editor of that issue adds a foot-note to her article spending of the fact that the voters of Easttown Township at their general election in 1946 voted to carry on the Library under the control of the Board of Road Supervisors. So today the Library's main expenses are underwritten by the taxpayers.
Just as the population of the township has grown "through
the lest ten years, so the Library has grown through the hard
work and devotion of many friends, board Members and the
Library Staff. The facts the Friends of the Easttown Library
gave us for 1957 prove this: The Board talked, hoped, and planned for years to be able to build its own Library building - perhaps a Memorial Building which would be useful and something of which any one could be very proud. There seemed to be no place which filled the requirements for a price that it was possible to pay. The Library was fast outgrowing its present location. Then there was talk of a township building. As that grew it was suggested that it would be logical and financially feasible to include the Library in this building. Plans were drawn and the architects' picture of it was displayed. The building was started and finally completed. Next came the moving. Eight thousand books are heavy and the price obtained from a qualified moving company seemed prohibitive. Someone went to the Berwyn Business Men's monthly meeting to ask if they would help. Mr. William Pyott was the president of this group at that time. He told them he would have the crated books moved from the old to the new site in one hour. On February the 26th the merchants who generously brought eight trucks and, the High School boys who volunteered from Conestoga High School under Mr. Pyott's supervision did what no one thought was possible. At 2.45 P.M. a busload of boys arrived. With the help of a conveyor from the center of the floor out to each truck as it pulled up in front of the Library those cartons of heavy books were loaded so that each truck was filled and pulled away in a matter of minutes. At 3.45 P.M. every crate and box of books was in the new building! The Philadelphia and West Chester newspapers thought the moving day was noteworthy enough to send their photographers to take pictures and to feature articles about it. Berwyn has every reason to be proud of the spirit and willingness of these men and boys.
Easttown Public Library Then invitations were sent out by the Board of Directors of the Easttown Public Library to the opening of the new Library on Saturday afternoon March 13th from two until six o'clock. Noted Main Line Personalities in the fields of art, literature, science and music were guests. They were Joan Horton Berg, of Wayne, author of children's books; Ted Key, Strafford, originator of "Hazel" in the Saturday Evening Post Dr. Carleton Coon, Devon, author of "Seven Caves"; Dr. A. I. Hallowell, Wayne, authority on the American Indian; Joseph and Beth Krush, Colonial Village, book illustrators; S. Bickley Reichmer, Paoli, writer of popular music; and Edward Fenno Hoffman, St. Davids, world famous sculptor. In addition to being able to meet and talk with these people and see some of their work, the Burroughs Corporation, the Chester County Historical Society and our own History Club each had displays. So it was a very enjoyable and interesting afternoon and everyone could be justly proud of their new Library.
The Library Staff at present is; |
