McArthur Public Library
270 Main Street
Biddeford, York Co., Maine
https://www.mcarthurlibrary.org/
Photo of old entrance and staircase to the first floor.
I always enjoy old libraries and even the ones with new additions to the original building. The McArthur Library is the only library I've visited where the original library was in a church. Another thing I like is when I see an archives room, or a local history room or section in the building.
We were in Biddeford, Maine on a quiet September day to visit their library, and were quite surprised to see a full-time security guard seated near the librarian. I had a chat with him and discovered that there had been enough theft in the library to warrant his position.
Biddeford is a coastal town 15 miles from Portland. I often drive through it on the highway but have never gone into the downtown area. The city brings back a memory of when my girlfriend and I took a bus from Lowell to Biddeford and then transferred to another bus to take us to a town near Lewiston, where she lived. I think I remember this because we traveled during a large snowstorm in December (abt. 1967) and saw Christmas decorations along the way.
To research for genealogy resources, click on their website, then go to Research, then History and Genealogy. You will be taken to the Archives & Special Collections (there are several options to choose from.)
Photo of old entrance and staircase to the first floor.
First floor of the Pavilion Congregational Church photo, circa 1860. This room is now the children's room. Below is the a photo of the balcony, looking down at the old front door.
Some of the library is housed in the old church, shown below. A new addition was completed in 1996.
New Local History area, above and below.
Biddeford and Maine books.
New area with a display of historical artifacts.
Map of Biddeford and Saco.
The new area for books, reading and study areas.
Looking down Main Street, the view is a few feet from the library.
Mentioned below: "Robert McArthur bought the Pavilion Congregational Church at 270 Main Street and in October of 1902, it became the library's permanent home."
