Medford Public Library, Medford, Massachusetts -- Local History and Genealogy Section

The Medford Public Library, built 1959, in Medford, Massachusetts was the first library I visited in order to do genealogy research. It hasn't changed in 20 years. With 16 direct lines from this city, I wanted to see what their resources were.

Entrance door.

Reference desk (above), seen as you enter the building, and typical areas in the two below pictures.

The Reference Librarian desk is shown above, and below shows the area for Medford only resources. They are on shelves of the bookcase behind the newspapers hanging. All other reference books are in a closed area to patrons. I feel the collection for the city is quite good, and I took a lot of photos for those interested in Medford.

I spoke with the Reference Library and he told me they subscribe to HeritageQuest Online and Ancestry Library.

Additional photos show more of the Library.

 Side view photos taken June 2017.

Winchester Public Library, Winchester, Massachusetts -- Genealogy and Local History Room

 I don't believe you will ever see lovelier library grounds than those that surround the Winchester Public Library, in Winchester, Massachusetts.

The photo above shows back of the library, and the below shows the front. 

Old tile around the archway entrance.

Main entrance ground floor, and from the 2nd floor (shown below). The room to the left (below) is part of the original library. Although the entire building looks old (built 1931), a large addition added in 1996 blends in perfectly.

The above, and three following photos are in the old building.

The above, and two following are in the old building.

The above and below is one large room on the main floor of the new building. Below are the reference librarian's desk and great view.

The local history room was locked, so I needed to be let in. While there, I asked a few questions that the librarian couldn't answer, so I don't know much about their holdings. She was forgiven because she recently started working here the month before. She previously worked at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston.

Nice sitting room, over looking the trees and pond.

   

Side courtyard, with benches for reading or viewing the sights (above).

We walked down the property to view the back of the Library. The huge addition is very apparent.

Photos and Autographs, Country Singers

A blogger friend wrote something yesterday on Facebook, and it reminded me that I had the autograph and photo of the person referenced to. I told Lori Hellmund about the items, and I would scan and share today, but it wasn't until I realized all the other singers I had that I decided to make it a post for Wordless Wednesday. Below is her autograph. Any guesses? The answer will be at the bottom. These photos and autographs are from the 70s. You should know most of them.

Crystal Gayle. (Photo below.)

 Billy "Crash" Craddock (Same concert as Crystal Gayle and Sonny James.)

 Tom T. Hall in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. (Autograph below.)

 Mac Davis (Same concert as Dolly Parton. (North Shore Music Theater, Beverly, MA)

 Sonny James (Autograph below. Same concert as Crystal Gayle and Billy "Crash" Craddock.)

 Johnny Cash at an outdoor venue in New Jersey, summer abt. 1977.

 Dolly Parton (North Shore Music Theater, Beverly, MA.)

Crystal Gayle

(Photo taken the same evening I saw Sonny James and Billy "Crash" Craddock, Sept. 19, 1976, in Virginia. She wasn't a "star" then, but I knew of her because I followed all country singers. I got her autograph after I returned from my car during a short break. As I walked along the school hallway, she came out to get a drink of water from the fountain. We were all alone, and I asked for her autograph!)

 Sonny James (Photo above, same concert as Crystal and Billy.)

 

 Tom T. Hall (Photo above.)

 Conway Twitty

(A friend went to him and got 4 autographs. I was chicken.) He sang at Hillbilly Haven, a club owned by former actress Donna Dixon's father in Lorton, VA.

Ricky Nelson aka Rick Nelson

I was at Paul's Mall in Boston one evening on Nov. 17, 1970, with my date. A small room, with lots of tables and chairs, and a small stage. I was there for the second show, maybe at 11. There were so few people there, but I was determined to get his autograph. At that time, he wasn't as popular as previously, so there weren't any groupies, only me. When he took a break, I knew he had to walk past me, so when he did, I asked if I could have his autograph. He said, "Yes, follow me." Off I went to his little room. I blabbered something about liking Boston, and probably something else. I don't think he asked me anything. Anyway, I got the autograph! He wore a skin-tight neck-to-toe white leather outfit with leather fringe from the shoulder to the wrist. I remember the important things. And yes, he sang, "Garden  Party."