Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Maine

Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library
18 Maine Street
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046
207-967-2778
https://graveslibrary.org/

Kennebunkport is a fun place to visit, and that is why I included a Travel/Tourism label for this blog. You many not want to visit the library, but the town is a different story. If you like seeing the Atlantic Ocean, many old beautiful homes, the summer home of President Bush, seeing a wedding cake house, eating lobster rolls on the run, shopping in quaint shops, getting tired by all your walking, and being with hoards of tourists, this town is for you.

Reference Desk.

The building was built in 1813 as a bank, and fortunately some of the molding and four fireplaces (two on each floor) survived several additions. The volunteer librarian above, told me that her daughter volunteers at NEHGS in Boston.

The old bank vault is where the cds and dvds are housed.

Just to the left (and below) is the section for Maine history books. Local history and genealogy information may be found at The Kennebunkport Historical Society. When I told the librarian what I was doing, she brought me to the vault and pointed out a sign on the side of the bookcase...a history of the building and the library (photo seen below and on their orange flyer).

History of the building.

First floor, original part of the bank, and where the vault is.








Photos of the newer sections are below.

Computers in a large meeting room/study area. A older resident was being taught computer techniques, so I didn't photograph the entire room.

Local books.

Outside views, a touch of fall on Oct. 20, 2018.



Hallway from front door (always closed).

We took the stairs to the Children's Department on the 2nd floor first opened in 1930. How charming it is, with decorations for Halloween, two fireplaces and the sweetest table and chairs. The librarian told us we just missed story time with the kids! Glad our timing was right.

Early September 2018 photos.

Side and back views.

The 3rd addition, shown below was completed in 2017.

Two favorite places for lobster.

 

List of all Libraries I've visited.

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.

Norman Williams Public Library, Woodstock, Vermont

Norman Williams Public Library

10 The Green

Woodstock, Vermont

802-457-2295

Website: www.normanwilliamsorg

When we headed to the library I was quite concerned, because it was almost 6, their closing time. There was plenty of parking along the front street, as the farmer's market had just closed down. My timing wasn't right, because once I walked in, they were about to close. I managed to get the below flyer from the reference desk as I turned around to walk out with some patrons.

The library was built in was built between 1883-1884, and in 1999-2000, the Library underwent a $5 million renovation, restoration, expansion, and automation project. I believe one thing they did was to install massive large glass panels in front of the three arches, and add a middle door. Nice feature, because when the library is closed, you could still peek inside the library.

(Side view.)

From the steps of the library, I am facing The Green (just beyond the cars).

The following morning we returned, for a better picture, but not to go in, because they didn't open until 10, and we had to get going.

I called the reference librarian to ask what they have to offer for genealogical research. They have a history room that contains historical records, cemetery lists, the Vermont Standard newspaper on microfiche and other material. Heritage Quest is available online for Woodstock residents. She mentioned that most genealogy material is located at the nearby Woodstock History Center. I went to their website and thought perhaps the Woodstock Cemetery Index might be useful to researchers. When I told her why I was calling, and the fact that I couldn't find any good interior pictures, she gave me permission to use anything from their site, including facebook. I was pleased, because I had just seen the below picture online.

The flyer I picked up.

WOODSTOCK

Woodstock was the terminus of the  Woodstock Railway, 1877-1933, which connected the town to the Central Vermont Railroad in White River Junction. Travelers coming to Woodstock via the railway established the town's reputation as a tourist destination, still prevalent today. Call "the prettiest small town in America" by a national publication, Woodstock is famous for the architecture of its houses and churches. It is the site of the first ski-tow in the United States, in 1934, home to the March-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (see my blog with a lot of photos) and remains the only town in America with 5 church bells cast by Paul Revere and Co."

From the library grounds, looking right towards the center of town.

Walkway in The Green, across from the library.

Windsor County Court House (immediate right of the library).

A few steps away is the Woodstock Inn and Resort.

Woodstock Inn and Resort.

We did not stay here, but in the past, we've eaten there. For this June weekend, it was very quiet, so I asked if we could stroll around on the first floor. We didn't see anybody. However, in the paper, I read they were going to have a huge sale of their hotel furnishings, so I got the impression they were getting ready to have new stuff for the summer. Below photos taken around 6:30, not a guest to be seen!

Google map, showing location of the Library.

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.