Ashby Free Public Library, Ashby, Massachusetts

 

Ashby Free Public Library

812 Main Street

Ashby, Middlesex County, MA 01431

Ashbylibrary.org

Phone: (978) 386-5377

On April 27, 2024, I went through these doors that brought me into the Ashby Library built in 1901. It looks like a small library from the front view, but I could see it had a rather large addition on the side. Not sure about back parking, so I parked on the main street.

View from the library, a church is in front.

Inside really meets with my approval, since I love old stuff, especially card catalogue and stained glass.

Not sure which room this was taken in.

The genealogy room was right in the front and I went in to look around. As luck would have it, there was a genealogist there and we had quite a conversation. One topic led to another. We found out we both worked at the same company in Lowell, MA and she was a good friend of a former employee, as was I. So we changed numbers and when I got home, I made a quick call to my friend to share who I met up in Ashby. Genealogists do love to talk.

There was only one bookcase, so it was easy to photo their genealogy resources.

A new addition was next to photo. If you look at their website with photos the newest beautiful addition has a collection of photos. https://www.google.com/search?q=ashby+ma+library+edwin+chapman&oq=ashby+ma+library+edwin+chapman&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCjE4MDU0ajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBfeDafRKqE70&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D,ik:CAoSFkNJSE0wb2dLRUlDQWdJQ0R0cVN3THc%3D  I'm sorry I didn't go into that area. They do have internet and one computer for people to use.

  

Edwin Chapman

1841-1915

"Originally organized “largely through the efforts of Rev. George S. Shaw,” the library began in a private home before moving in 1902 to its current building—funded by local businessman and Civil War veteran Edwin Chapman.

In the early 2000s, an 8,000 sq. ft. passive solar addition was built as a model project for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. This bright two-story space includes a children’s library downstairs and a young adult area, adult library, periodicals, and offices upstairs."

The current population of Ashby, Massachusetts, is approximately 3,211 residents. This figure reflects official census-derived estimates, making it the least populous municipality in Middlesex County.

Amesbury Public Library, Amesbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts (See The Resources for Genealogists)

 

I visited this library on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Parking was tight because six churches were having their craft fairs that day. A lot of people were walking around and it was very festive. "The free public library has operated from its current location since opening day on April 24, 1902." (From their website.)

149 Main St, Amesbury, Essex Co., MA 01913

Phone: (978) 388-8148

website: https://amesburylibrary.org/

The main desk as you enter the library. (Above and below.)

This is the Amesbury Room    Local History Collection

It is located on the main floor near the entrance. There were plenty of history/genealogy books as shown in the next seven photos. The library has an archivist and a special archives room, however, this was a Saturday and it was closed. I loved the wooden blinds. The only thing this library was missing was a card catalog.

In front of the old fireplace is the reference librarian's desk. She was very helpful with an informative walk-around. The room had copy machines, current newspapers, and other reading material. All paintings were done by C. H. Davis, a "renowned landscape artist and Amesbury native." The library flyer states he studied in France and his works are at the MFA in Boston and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There are 16 of his oil paintings in the library.

Archives/Special Collections: Meghan Fahey, Head of Archives, 978-992-2123 – mfahey@amesburylibrary.org

The Local History Collections at https://www.amesburylibrary.org/233/Local-History-Collections provides more information.

Stairs to the children's room, a  view of the room, and the back stairs.

Down these stairs is the new addition to the library.

The Director's Office on the left, and below view is the new addition.

These front doors will take you down to the front courtyard of the Library.

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"