Nineteenth Century Libraries

Nineteenth Century Libraries of Warner, New Hampshire by Larry Sullivan
Now on sale at the Pillsbury Free Library, the Warner Historical Society, and area bookstores for $15.95. This meticulously researched book documents the typical development of libraries in New England in the 19th century, up to and including the establishment of publicly funded libraries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview and Acknowledgements
Introduction
A Red-Letter Day in Warner
Warner After the Revolution

SOCIAL LIBRARIES IN WARNER
Early Warner-Area Social Libraries
The Social Library in Warner
1831 Legislation Enacted to Form a Library Company
The Warner Historical Library Association
The Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Library Association
Why Were Competing Libraries Established in Warner in 1841?
The Kearsarge Circulating Library

OTHER 19th CENTURY SOURCES OF BOOKS IN WARNER
Other Warner Book Sources
Religious Libraries in Warner
The Magazine Club in Warner

PUBLIC LIBRARIES
1849 Legislation – Use of Local Taxes For Public Libraries
Two Public Libraries in Warner
The Simonds Free High School Library

THE PILLSBURY FREE LIBRARY
The Key People Involved With the New Library
George Alfred Pillsbury
Margaret Carleton Pillsbury
Charles A. Pillsbury
Fred C. Pillsbury
Nehemiah G. Ordway
Albert P. Davis
Mary Bartlett Harris, Librarian

The Situation in Warner in 1890
George Pillsbury’s Gift – The Background Story
The March 11, 1890 Town Meeting Vote

The Library Architect – Harry Wild Jones
The Richardsonian Romanesque Architectural Style
The Exterior Architectural Features
Pillsbury Free Library Architect’s Drawing
Exterior Construction Begins
The Interior Features
The Reading Room Ceiling
Stained Glass and Ornamentation
The Interior Paneling and Fireplace

A Library Without Books?

The Dedications of the New Hampshire Pillsbury Gifts.
The Dedication of the Pillsbury Free Library
The Opening Day of the New Library
The Rules of the Library
The First Pillsbury Free Library Patron
The Job of the Librarian, Miss Mary B. Harris
The Library “Museum”

Portraits in the Pillsbury Free Library
The Missing Ordway Portrait
The Early Years of the Library 1892-1900

The Branch Services of the Pillsbury Free Library
Children’s Branch Library Rules and Suggestions
Children’s Branch Library Bookmark
Branch Stations for Adult Residents

The Philanthropy of George A. Pillsbury

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
ADDITIONAL READINGS
LAND DEED FROM N.G. ORDWAY
ENDNOTES

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