The Pope and Joan Baez, 1979 in Washington, DC

Well, no, I never got to see the Pope Paul 11, on October 7, 1979, but I was on the National Mall the same time he was, I heard him speak and I took the below photo as proof.

That same year, in July, there was a free Joan Baez concert at the Lincoln Memorial. I don't believe I saw her either. I wonder if the reason for my not liking crowds stems from the many events I attended in Washington, DC during my 20 years there.

York Public Library, Genealogy Collection -- York, Maine

York Public Library in the center of York, Maine is so large, I couldn't figure out how to enter the building. Unlike many others I've visited, this is new, with little or no character on the inside. I asked several questions, but nobody knew the answers, like when was it built, where was the old one, was the lovely foundation part of a barn or old building. However, they have a good-sized genealogy/history collection. I didn't do any research but should have, as both my husband and I have ancestors from there.

Main entrance at the back of the library, the view below is what you see first. This was the first time I'd seen it, we had to ask where it was. Easy to get to, once we knew, and plenty of parking on two sides.

I wondered if the same architect built this as the Topsham, Maine Library. Both very similar to their main great room, reading room with lots of windows, and many side rooms.

Fortunately, there is a genealogy and history collection. Shown above are the family genealogies. Most libraries don't have that, so I give this library kudos.

There was an extensive collections of York books.

I loved the stone foundation, on the side entrance, but the door is not used, so it was a waste of energy and time to walk up it. You need to use the back entrance.

Wiscasset Public Library, Wiscasset, Maine -- History and Genealogy Room

The Wiscasset Public Library located in Wiscasset, Lincoln County, Maine the town known as the "Prettiest Town in Maine." I did a post for that town in my Seeing New England blog, and it may be seen HERE.

From their library link, I discovered a 151 page listing of Cemeteries with names of those buried in Wiscasset...a great asset to anybody with ancestors from this town. NOTE: The cemetery link is being updated as of 11/6/18 and I will post when it is available.

From their flyer shown below states, "The building was completed in 1805, built for the Lincoln and Kennebec Bank under a Massachusetts Charter of 1802."

Above and below is "The Jane S. Tucker Archives and Genealogical Collections (holds archives related to Wiscasset, Alna, Dresden, Edgecomb, Sheepscot, and Westport." For a very small library, it has a good collection of history and genealogy books. A librarian brought me up the very steep stairs to the locked room. Not wanting her to do the steps more than necessary, I quickly took these photos and went down the steps with her.

Genealogies, with names written on the cards.

To the right half of the above picture is the small storage closet.

 

 This is the Hortense and Henry Ferne II Memorial Art Room.

 Large reading room (above and below).

Front view.

From the flyer, The Museum in the Streets, a historical walking tour of the Town of Wiscasset, I found the following very interesting. "The first Europeans arrived near here in 1607. They established fishing and trading communities. Over time, European settlers took more and more land from the native tribes. King Philip's War of 1675 began a series of brutal and bloodily wars that wiped out all English settlements north of York for over 50 years."

Topsham Public Library, Topsham, Maine -- History and Genealogy Section

The Topsham Public Library in Topsham, Maine was a priority visit for me, since my husband has relatives in this town, and I have visited Topsham for 20 years but never thought about their library. My husband knew where this new 2004 library was, and when we went, I was sure he was taking me to an assisted living center. It looks like one on the outside, with the main rooms on the top floor, the huge parking area was surrounded by lots of manicured grass. Emma J. Gibbon, a librarian gave me a tour and was extremely helpful. Although there wasn't a huge genealogy section, I got a few surprises with the library.

Front entrance (above), back view (below).

Reading area with lots of light and woods.

Genealogy and History books.

The Brunswick Record books were in a small private reading room. When I first saw these books, a few months prior, I had no idea what was in-between the covers. I was far more curious the second time I visited the library. It turns out, The Brunswick Record was the town newspaper. Below is a copy of the January 8, 1931 issue. There is an article on this page about the new Topsham Library stating it was opening on January 15, 1931.

Children's section (above). Their back door leads to a large

backyard, a play area for the kids with a small picnic table, so cute.

The Stephen and Tabitha King

Young Adult Room (above)

Loved this painting. The Androscoggin River separates Brunswick and Topsham. 

The two surprises were the Brunswick Record books in the small study room (I was thinking, at least they didn't throw them away). It wasn't until a few months later that I found out it was holding old newspapers and not town records. Second, I'm glad I read all the labels outside of all rooms because seeing Stephen and Tabitha King's name was a pleasant surprise.

Lucius Beebe Memorial Library / Wakefield Library, Wakefield, Massachusetts -- History and Genealogy Room

Lucius Beebe Memorial Library

345 Main St, Wakefield, MA 01880

Phone: (781) 246-6334

https://www.wakefieldlibrary.org/

The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield, Massachusetts was the most recent library I visited this summer and was the closest to where I live, plus the most beautiful of all I've seen. From the minute I walked in, I was in awe. The library is similar to many of the other libraries that I've visited, in that it has part of its original brick building and has been enlarged from its original structure. For a Saturday in August, this library was rather busy. After introducing myself to the librarian, he took me to the closed room where the genealogy and local histories are held. There were two people in there, but I've no idea if they were researching. As you go through the pictures, I think you'll agree that the original red room is outstanding, as is their collection. Can't wait to go back to work on the many lines I have in that town.

From The Library History at http://www.wakefieldlibrary.org/about/about-the-library/
The building has a large skylit entrance hall flanked by two reading rooms, each up a short flight of marble stairs. The north reading room is graced by fourteen medallions depicting famous literary figures. Both reading rooms include working marble fireplaces, built-in wooden bookshelves, and elegant Adam-style plaster detailing on the walls and ceilings. The central lobby has a black and white marble floor and cast iron stair railings with urn motifs that echo the stone urns on the building’s facade. The beehive, a symbol of the Beebe family, is used throughout the building as a decorative motif and was chosen in 1998 as the Library’s logo.

The original front room is now used as a reading room (opposite the red room below).

This is where the genealogy and history books are held. Great room for quiet research. I didn't want to disturb the two people, so I didn't walk around...next time I will.

  

Original upstairs room.

The back of the original building where it joins the new (above).