| Speech
given by Library Director Alfreda Altobelli at the Dedication in 1997 Westminster's interest in the
library started even before the town was incorporated (1759). In the early 1700's, a
"social library" was started by an association of joint stockholders, and was
accessible to the public on payment of a fixed fee. The birth of Westminster's first free
public library dates back to 1853 when a group of young people met and formed the Young
People's Literary Society. They collected fees ($1.00 per year for men and $.75 for women)
got a loan, and were able to buy the first 100 books. In 1865, the Society joined with the
Farmer's Library and reorganized as the Westminster Library Association.
In 1865, after refusing several times, the town finally voted to accept the Library
Association as a town institution in the charge of the selectmen. It wasn't until 1878,
however, that a committee to be in charge of the library was elected. After that, the
usefulness and growth of the library steadily increased. Physically it moved from place to
place. A permanent home wasn't found until the Forbush Memorial Building was erected in
1901.
The present location was chosen as being most appropriate, but was only available after an
agreement to move the four-story Reed house that was on the lot to a new location on Main
Street. This was accomplished. With a bequest of $10,000 from Charles A. Forbush, in
memory of his cousin Joseph W. Forbush, and another $6,000 from eighty other citizens, the
Forbush Memorial Public Library was established.
The library has stood as built until now with little outward signs of change. The one
major change that has been made since then was to add a children's room devoted
strictly to the needs of preschool through sixth grade children. The basement, which at
the time the library was built was used to house plows and looms, etc. (items too large to
fit on the second floor) was turned into a very attractive space for the use of children.
This was brought about by a vote at the Town Meeting in 1976. The new room opened in 1977
and has been a booming success ever since. This move freed up original library space for
additional adult books.
The library continued to thrive with increased circulation and increased collections. it
got to the point where space was so limited that for years it was literally a case of
having to discard a book for every book added. Also, of course, with modern times came
different needs. Books were no longer the only resources needed. Magazines, records, then
CD's, Video tapes, and now the very popular books-on-tape are all important collections in
the library. Now there are also the pressures of modern technology and the need for
computers, access to the Internet, etc.
In 1986 the Library Trustees started a campaign to enlarge the library, but for various
reasons that effort didn't succeed. In 1992, with another chance at state grant money
becoming available, they formed the present building and fund raising committees and
committed themselves to the expansion again. What you see here is the fruition of that
effort. As others will also tell you this day, this present building is the result of the
enormous commit- ment of many people. No one person is responsible, nor even one group of
people. It has taken countless hours, and literally millions of dollars. I think you are
going to like the result. We have a terrific building.
I hope you enjoy the day. I look forward to having you come back and use the library. We
will do our best to serve you well. |
Library Addition Facts
:
Original Building, 1901/Rededication: August 1902
Expected Population (2015): 8,500
Original 1901 Building in Square Feet: 4,010
Addition/original Building in Square Feet: 16,000
Project Cost: approximately $2,000,000
Architect: Preservation Partnership
MBLC Grant Awarded in 1995: $817,112
Library Rededication: August 24, 1997 |
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Links related to Westminster History:
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| PRESENTATION OF THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS TO THE TOWN OF WESTMINSTER
Mr. Frank W. Derby Chairman of
the Board of Selectmen of Westminster. It is
a very pleasant duty that I have to perform this day to present to the town of Westminster
through your honorable board a deed of ¾ of an acre of land situated at the corner of
Main and Baker Street now occupied by a finished library building to be used as a location
for a library and art building and for a park for all time.
This deed with an insurance
policy paid for 3 years and a fund of $500 which is put at interest as an endowment and
for the care of the grounds also a fund of $1,250 the income of which is to be used to
take care of the upper room of the library building.
The gas tank has 3 barrels of
oil in it. The gas machine was very kindly
presented by Mr. George Heywood of Gardner and is one of the best Springfield machines and
has been tested to run 66 lights and a fire log at one time and did the work very fine,
pleasing everybody who saw the display.
These things I now present to
your honorable board.
Trusting that you and your
successors will ever watch with vigilant care the interests of our Public Library and Art
Gallery.
Respectfully,
Daniel
C. Miles
Chairman of the Building Commissioners |
Local
History at the Forbush Memorial Library
In 1997, the Library opened a new addition,
including a local history room, called the Hurd Room. This room houses local histories of
Westminster and of neighboring towns. Massachusetts military histories, vital records for
most Massachusetts towns to 1850, family histories, Westminster Town Reports and Street
Listings.
Several copies of these books are in
the Reference area, the Hurd Room and in the circulating collection. For those who are not
library members, copies of these books may be borrowed through your local library's
Interlibrary Loan program. The Westminster Historical Society sells copies of these books.
Call (978)874-7416 for more information. |
| RULES AND REGULATIONS OF WESTMINSTER TOWN LIBRARY
1. THE LIBRARY
shall be open for drawing Books, every Saturday afternoon, from two o’clock to four
o’clock, and from six o’clock to eight o’clock, in the evening.
2. No person shall draw more than one book at a time.
3. No book shall be kept from the Library morethan three weeks at a time.
4. Whoever keeps a book beyond the prescribed time, shall pay five cents per week
for all the time the book is retained.
5. The Librarian shall examine every book when returned, and if damaged, shall
estimate the same and collect it.
6. Whoever fails to return a book to the Library, shall pay for the same twenty-five
per cent. more than the original cost; and if the book e one of a set, the whole
shall be paid for, at the same rate, or the book may be replaced by a new one.
7. Non-Residents may draw books, subject to the above regulations, by paying three
cents per week.
8. No person shall be allowed to take a book from the Library, who has failed to
comply with these RULES AND REGULATIONS. |
From the History of Westminster compiled by the Westminster Historical
Society, EditedBy Newton F. Tolman:
"Charles A. Forbush, whose will contained the
original ten tousand dollar bequest, was the last of a well-known Westminster family. He
never married; he lived on an extensive estate in the northern part of the town, where he
had been born February 25, 1830. He traveled widely throughout the world during the years
just prior to his death on November 14, 1899, Mr. Forbush specified that the library be
dedicated to the memory of his cousin, Joseph W. Forbush, from whom he had received a
legacy."
Albert Forbush (1817 - ) son of Manasseh and Dorcas
(Whitman) Forbush. In 1848 m. Abbie Barrell, dau. of Luther and Nancy (Sampson) Barrell.
Succeeded Charles Smith in operation of chair factory on Whitman River, half mile
northwest of Scrabble Hollow hotel. Factory destroyed by fire 1926. Removed to near Boston
in 1869.
Dolly (Whitman) Forbush, (1792 - 1862), wife of David
Forbush, mother of Joseph W. Forbush . See #14
Abbie P. (Wears) Forbush, ( - 1867) wife of Joseph W.
Forbush, dau.. of Wonder and Abigail Parker (Hazen) Wears. See #17
Charles A. Forbush (1830 - 1899) son of Manasseh .S. and
Dorcas (Whitman) Forbush. Did not marry. Last of Forbush family. In 1894 began 4-year tour
of world and returned to Westminster 1899. Made bequest of $10,000 for creation of Public
Library building in memory of his late cousin Joseph W. Forbush, from whom he had received
a legacy.. Specified that library be dedicated to the memory of Joseph W. Forbush. See
#147, #512, #581, #320, #322, and #324.
David Forbush (1786 - 1844) came to Westminster about
1812 and in 1814 married Dolly Whitman, daughter of Zachariah and Abigail (Wood) Whitman
of Scrabble Hollow. Lived in Scrabble Hollow. With brother Manasseh S. Forbush started a
tannery.Later purchased Penniman property in center of town for some years, often a
selectman.Member of Universalist Society. Parents of Joseph W. Forbush.
Dorcas (Whitman) Forbush (1788 - 1866) dau. of Zachariah
and Abigail (Wood) Whitman, wife of Manasseh Forbush. See #20.
Joseph Whitman Forbush (1815 - 1899), son of David and
Mary (Stow) Forbush; m. 1843 Abbie P. Wears, daughter of Wonder and Abigail Parker (Hazen)
Wears. At first worked with father at tannery business, but went into bakery business.
Served as selectman during 3 years of Civil War and in 1861 was representative to General
Court.
Removed to Worcester in 1872. Had one child, Mary Abby
Forbush. He died February 1899 leaving money to his cousin Charles A. Forbush, who died in
November 1899, leaving $10,000 for a library building to be named for his cousin Joseph W.
Forbush.See #147, #514.
Manasseh Forbush (1790 -1868). In 1816 m. Dorcas Whitman
(ab. 1788 - 1862) daugher of Zachariah and Abigail (Wood) Whitman, sister of David
Forbush's wife Dolly. After his brother David abandoned tannery partnership, he soon
became manager of "Whitman Tavern". He was a man of influence in town. Twice
selectman. Six children among them Albert Forbush and Charles A Forbush. See #21.
Mary Abby Forbush (1847 - 1870) only child of Joseph W.
Forbush and Abigail (Wears) Forbush. Died aged 22. See #19
Whitman Tavern, operated by Manasseh Forbush.
Zachariah Whitman (1747 - 1806) Married Abigail Wood
before coming to Westminster. In 1773 bought lot #88 2nd Division from his father
Zachariah. Innholder's license 1799. Public House in Scrabble Hollow. Among their 15
children were Dorcas Whitman (1788 - 1866) who married Manasseh S. Forbush in 1816 and
Dolly Whitman (1792 -1862) who married David Forbush.
Maria Whitman (1820 - 1853) daughter of Joseph and Dolly
(Mayo) Whitman. Got the first piano in Westminster in 1837 from Woodward & Brown of
Boston. See #217.Photo of her See #209.
Mrs. Sarah H. (Wears) Whitman (1828 - ) daughter of
Wonder and Abigail P.(Hazen) Wears. Wife of Jerome Whitman whom she married in 1851. Their
two sons died in infancy. She was on Board of Trustees of Public Library. See #516 -
Portrait of her.
Forbush Genealogy compiled by Elaine Lawrence, 34 Carter
Rd., Westminster, MA 01473
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