Stockbridge Public Library, Stockbridge, Massachussetts

 The Stockbridge Library, Museum and Archives
Association

46 Main Street

Stockbridge, Massachussetts

https://stockbridgelibrary.org/

Even though this Library building is old, it looked brand new in September 2016, when I first visited. You'll be able to tell by the photos, everything was white and clean. A major renovation had just been completed a few months prior. I don't have any ancestors or family members from this area, but I was curious to see the library Norman Rockwell used, and possibly my favorite sculpturer, Daniel Chester French since lived nearby in the summer. The library owns some artwork by Mr. Rockwell and sculpture by Mr. French. I learned this library is an association, it is not owned or run by the town. Perhaps that is why their website is one of the best I've seen and used; it is so user friendly, I loved the larger font size, and color photos.

Once I entered the building, I walked around the first floor, looking at it's huge windows, some books, sculpture and art work in the reading rooms and hallways. Read about the history of the library HERE.

 

Abraham Lincoln, by sculpturer Daniel Chester French.

Portion of the exterior wall of the old library

Jackson Library

Erected

A. D.

1862

Photo showing the before renovation.

 The round enclosed fence like feature is an opening to see the lower level. You walk down a nearby staircase.

When you look down you'll see this nice circular tile design, so naturally, we went down to read it.

The Proctor Museum and Archives was around the hall, but unfortunately closed. I was a little bit disappointed, but knew I'd be back (well I did in December 2017, and the entire library was closed.) Third time will be a charm.

Procter Museum and Archives

Commemorative Medallion

 

September 2016

December 2017.

The genealogies for Stockbridge families only, and history of the town are in the Museum and Archives room. The curator, Barbara, gave me permission to copy their listing of records that is online.

Museum & Archives Collections

1. Institutional and Business Records

• American Legion Records
• Berkshire Republican Library Records
• Brown Book of Deeds
• First Congregational Church Records
• Hill Water Company Records
• Indian Hill Music Workshop Records
• Interlaken Congregational Church Records
• Laurel Hill Association Records
• Stockbridge Bowl Association Records
• Stockbridge Casino Records
• Stockbridge Library Association Records
• Tuesday Club Records
• Williams High School Alumni Association Records

2. Personal and Family Papers

• Clark (Anson) Collection
• Eaton (Walter Pritchard) Papers
• Edwards (Jonathan) Family Collection
• Field Family Collection
• Franz (Joseph) Papers
• French (Daniel Chester) Collection
• Lynch Whitney Family Collection
• Sedgwick Family Collection

3. Miscellaneous Collections

• Alice’s Restaurant Photography Collection
• Cookbook Collection
• Map Collection
• Oral History Collection
• Stockbridge Authors Manuscript Collection
• Stockbridge Imprints Collection
• Stockbridge Indian Collection
• Stockbridge School Collection
• Wilcox (Richard) Deed Research Collection

Posts I wrote, with photos about Daniel Chester French:

Where Was The Lincoln Memorial Made?

https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2016/10/where-was-lincoln-memorial-made.html

Daniel Chester French Led Me on a Trail

https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2013/12/daniel-chester-french.html

I have decided not to use the Comment feature for my blog. If you would like to leave a comment for me or ask a question, please write me at my email: BarbaraPoole@Gmail.com. Thank you.

My reason is because since November 2017 to May 2018, I received no comments, but upon investigating I found that I had indeed received 167 legitimate ones and 1,000 were in the spam folder. Google Blogger had made some changes that I was unaware of. Please be aware that I do not know who reads my blog, I may know who subscribes, but that is all.

Dole-Little House. Newbury, Massachusetts, 1715

Dole-Little House

289 High Road,

Newbury, Massachusetts

I had to wait all summer for October 6, 2018, to tour this house, because it is only open to the public twice a year. We were lucky enough to get a parking spot because there were a lot of us anxious to get inside. It isn't the most beautiful or historic of houses, but we wanted the thrill of seeing inside.

It isn't like other houses, mostly because there are no original furnishings or belongings inside. There is sketchy information, but it has character. It looked like it needed a lot of work to bring it up to snuff; a new roof and a major paint job would have improved the appearance. Also, new period windows. A new owner purchased the house in 1954 and it "was restored to a year later to reflect the original period." "The paneling from one chamber was removed and reinstalled as an exhibition room at the National Museum of History and Technology in Washington, D.C." (From flyer below.)

Three windows, ca 1954.

I loved the size and shape of the windows, so I took plenty of photos, as well as one huge chimney in the middle of the house that was cut out into four fireplaces, two large ones on the first floor, and two smaller ones on the second floor. We were told that the base of the chimney in the basement takes up almost half the cellar. If you look at the first photo, you'll only see one chimney.

The first room was furnished for the caretaker and is his dining room. Of course, I couldn't resist some color, it was quite dark in there.

Second fireplace in 2nd large room, first floor.

Oh yes, another window with a view! Good thing the weather was warm.

There is a double staircase leading to the third floor. Glad we didn't have to go up there.

Example of 2nd-floor room, see what I mean about the furnishings.

Two additional fireplaces on the second floor, much smaller in size.

Parker River, in front of the house, as shown below.

Nice view from Google Maps, showing the Dole-Little House, Parker River, and Rt. 1A.

(Photo taken 2013.)

Located a short distance away on another street, is this memorial.

 First Settlers of Newbury, MA monument.

1902
LANDING PLACE
OF THE
FIRST SETTLERS
1635

For those who have an interest in Newbury, here are a few posts I've written:

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm and House since 1690 (June 2018)

Robert Adams Buried in Newbury, MA and a Nice Surprise (Aug. 2013)

First Settlers of Newbury, Massachusetts (Aug. 2013)

Where the First Settlers of Newbury, Massachusetts Landed and Lived (Sept. 2013)

I want to share a comment I received (note: my comment section is closed, so

Ryan sent me an email. Some of you might be interested in his genealogy.

"Ryan Noyes <ryan.w.noyes@gmail.com>	Fri, Oct 12, 4:13 PM (18 hours ago)
to Barbara.trees4u

Dear Barb,

Greetings from Philadelphia.  Got your email address via your blog, which I discovered via your blog post via the New England Genealogy Facebook group.  Your images of the Dole-Little house are fantastic!  -- much better quality than the one I see on the house's Wikipedia page.  Requesting if Paul Noyes and I use a few of your images for Richard Dole Jr.'s profile on Noyesgenealogy.net, our family's online genealogy database?  

I descend from Richard Jr.'s sister, Jane, who married my 7th g-grandfather.  

I'll of course credit you for the images, if you allow us to use them. Great blog post btw!  Thanks for sharing!

Warm regards,

Ryan Noyes"

Rowley Public Library, Rowley, Massachusetts

Rowley Public Library

141 Main Street

Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts

978-948-2850

www.rowleylibrary.org

When I saw the sign, I knew I had to stop to see what the Library had to offer genealogists to help them with their research. I have been by the building many times, but on this sunny fall day, it called me in. I knew I had a Kilborn / Kilbourn line, who left Connecticut sometime before 1649 because six of his children were born in Rowley. This is not a direct line, but George Kilborn was my 9th great-granduncle.

The new-looking building replaced the old library about 15 years ago, but I thought this new location is perfect. It's on the main street, next to the city hall, and the large historic cemetery is next to the city hall.

There are two entrances, this view is from the front. There are two showcase exhibits, birds, and town artifacts.

Below is the view from the parking lot entrance.

After I did a quick tour, I returned to the desk and inquired about seeing the Local History Room, because I could see the door was locked. I mentioned my genealogy blog and said I only wanted to take photos, not research, but I still had to sign in. The librarian remained with me for a few minutes and opened the cabinets, which fortunately weren't under lock and key. I asked if there was a listing of those buried in the cemetery nearby, and she said I would get that from the city hall (next door). (Cemetery blog to follow, tomorrow.)

Entrance to the room, and several photos of the layout.

All the botton draws open.

Single sheet telling what is in the cabinets. Very useful. Glad I spotted it underneath a few other things on the large table.

Four photos of the library.

This room reminded me of the Freeport, Maine Library, where every room had large windows, it's beautiful in the fall. See my post, if interested (link above)..

Glad Google stopped by, and I found this online. The library is in the middle, the city hall to the right, then the cemetery far right. That car is going to a large parking lot for all three places.

For my list of 65 libraries I've visited, see: http://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2018/09/list-of-64-library-visits-to-check-out.html

I have decided not to use the Comment feature for my blog. If you would like to leave a comment for me or ask a question, please write me at my email: BarbaraPoole@Gmail.com. Thank you.

My reason is that from November 2017 to May 2018, I received no comments, but upon investigating I found that I had indeed received 167 legitimate ones and 1,000 were in the spam folder. Google Blogger had made some changes that I was unaware of. Please be aware that I do not know who reads my blog, I may know who subscribes, but that is all.