1954.05.27 _ New library Branch Opened in Yorktown
Dublin Core
Title
1954.05.27 _ New library Branch Opened in Yorktown
Source
"John C. Hart Memorial Library Historical News Clippings" Binder, Volume 1, 1919 - 1970
Publisher
Yorktown Herald
Date
1954-05-27
Rights
This item is made available for research and educational purposes by the John C. Hart Memorial Library. Rights status is not evaluated.
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Yorktown (N.Y. : Town)
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
(PHOTO) NEW LIBRARY QUARTERS: These library quarters for the Yorktown Branch of the John C. Hart Memorial Library will be formally opened Sunday. The former Fowler home on Hanover Road has been converted for use by the library. Supervisor John Downing will dedicate the building at ceremonies scheduled for 3 p.m.
The pleasant sunny rooms of the new Yorktiown Library, a branch of the John C. Hart Memorial Library of Shrub Oak, were completely filled for dedicatory services held last Sunday.
Mrs. Arthur C. Lee, chairman of the library board, made the opening speech and introduced, first, Supervisor John Downing, who serves as treasurer of the board.
Mr. Downing traced the history of the library from the time that it was willed by the late John C. Hart to the Town of Yorktown in 1920. At that time there was only the property for the library and no funds for its upkeep. A few years ago, Mr. Downing said, the land back of the Shrub Oak Library was leased to a firm of contractors who removed gravel with the stupulation that at lease $1,000 a year would come to the library from their operations.
For seven years the money acculuated from this source, with substantial interest, until there was something over $15,000 in the library treasury after varuious improvements had been put into effect. With $12,000 of this money, Mr. Downing said, the former Fowler home was bought and at least $3,000 spent in re-decorating and improving the premises. This was done entirely from library funds without any additional burdens to the taxpayers.
Mr. Downing's talk concluded with the formal dedication, with atribute to the late Mr. and Mrs. James Fowler and with a suggestion that a committee be formed to collect funds for a suitable memorial to their memory. Mrs. Lee thanked Mr. Dowining for this unfailing help and credited him with the suggestion that the Fowler hone be purchased. She, too, paid tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler.
Miss Edith Phelps then spoke of the value of books to a community and of the variety of interests which they can serve.
In conclusion heads were bowed as Mrs. Lee said a prayer, In addition to Mr. Dowing. Howard Smith of the Town board was present as were Louis Mediatate, town attorney, members of the Library Board and Mrs. Maude Moseman. Many representatives of local organizations, indluding the Yorktown Women's Club and Friends of the Library were also in attendance.
After the formalities the guests were invited to inspect the house, including the upstairs rooms where the Public Health Organization will hold its meetings. Refreshments were served by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Northern Westchester. As one observer put it, there must have been professional chef in that membership.
FOWLER-At Northern Westchester hospita, Mt. Kisco, N. Y June 30, 1958, Edna G., wife of the late James C. Fowler, of_Yorktown Heights N.Y. Funeral services will be held from her late; residence, Hanover Avenue, Yorktown Heights, N; Y. on Friday, July 3rd, at 2 P.M. with the Rev. George N. Barford, pastor of the Yorktown Presbyterlan Church of (..)lating. Interment in Hillside Cemetery.
Sbe is survived by two nephews, Authur F. Strang, of Peeksklll and James F. Ackerman, of New Haven, Conn., also several grandnieces and grandnephews. Please omit flowers. Arrangements by E. O. Curry Funeral Home.
The pleasant sunny rooms of the new Yorktiown Library, a branch of the John C. Hart Memorial Library of Shrub Oak, were completely filled for dedicatory services held last Sunday.
Mrs. Arthur C. Lee, chairman of the library board, made the opening speech and introduced, first, Supervisor John Downing, who serves as treasurer of the board.
Mr. Downing traced the history of the library from the time that it was willed by the late John C. Hart to the Town of Yorktown in 1920. At that time there was only the property for the library and no funds for its upkeep. A few years ago, Mr. Downing said, the land back of the Shrub Oak Library was leased to a firm of contractors who removed gravel with the stupulation that at lease $1,000 a year would come to the library from their operations.
For seven years the money acculuated from this source, with substantial interest, until there was something over $15,000 in the library treasury after varuious improvements had been put into effect. With $12,000 of this money, Mr. Downing said, the former Fowler home was bought and at least $3,000 spent in re-decorating and improving the premises. This was done entirely from library funds without any additional burdens to the taxpayers.
Mr. Downing's talk concluded with the formal dedication, with atribute to the late Mr. and Mrs. James Fowler and with a suggestion that a committee be formed to collect funds for a suitable memorial to their memory. Mrs. Lee thanked Mr. Dowining for this unfailing help and credited him with the suggestion that the Fowler hone be purchased. She, too, paid tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler.
Miss Edith Phelps then spoke of the value of books to a community and of the variety of interests which they can serve.
In conclusion heads were bowed as Mrs. Lee said a prayer, In addition to Mr. Dowing. Howard Smith of the Town board was present as were Louis Mediatate, town attorney, members of the Library Board and Mrs. Maude Moseman. Many representatives of local organizations, indluding the Yorktown Women's Club and Friends of the Library were also in attendance.
After the formalities the guests were invited to inspect the house, including the upstairs rooms where the Public Health Organization will hold its meetings. Refreshments were served by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Northern Westchester. As one observer put it, there must have been professional chef in that membership.
FOWLER-At Northern Westchester hospita, Mt. Kisco, N. Y June 30, 1958, Edna G., wife of the late James C. Fowler, of_Yorktown Heights N.Y. Funeral services will be held from her late; residence, Hanover Avenue, Yorktown Heights, N; Y. on Friday, July 3rd, at 2 P.M. with the Rev. George N. Barford, pastor of the Yorktown Presbyterlan Church of (..)lating. Interment in Hillside Cemetery.
Sbe is survived by two nephews, Authur F. Strang, of Peeksklll and James F. Ackerman, of New Haven, Conn., also several grandnieces and grandnephews. Please omit flowers. Arrangements by E. O. Curry Funeral Home.
Original Format
News Clippings
Files
Citation
“1954.05.27 _ New library Branch Opened in Yorktown,” John C Hart Library Archive, accessed May 16, 2024, https://hartarchive.omeka.net/items/show/19.