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Special
Collections
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Forbush Memorial
Library |
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The library traditionally has housed town artifacts, in particular historic and rare items and other materials pertaining to the history of Westminster and its people. Included in the collection are various types of published media for genealogists, local school students, and general researchers interested in the study of Westminster, its people, its geography, its government and its cultural institutions. There is a small local history/genealogy collection specifically covering Worcester County, with more thorough coverage of those towns located geographically close to Westminster. Additionally, the collection preserves biographical information on noted citizens (such as Miles, Warner, Peckham, Carr, etc.) and family histories. Other artifacts are held by the Westminster Historical Society and other town agencies.
The Collections
The Library houses several collections. Some items located in the library are owned by
the Westminster Historical Society. A complete inventory by ownership has not been completed.
The Broad categories or “collections” at the Library are :
1) FINE ARTS – This collection paintings and sculptures by many artists, including works by Deacon Robert Peckham, Gamiel Beaman, Oscar J. Walkonen, Eastman Johnson, Olin Warner and E. Thor Carlson.
2) ANTIQUE FURNITURE – This collection includes cabinets, a piano, grandfather clock, chairs, pews, display cases, tables, a bench, etc.
3) MILITARY ITEMS – Guns, swords, uniforms, and other military paraphernalia from the Revolutionary War to WWII, including an extensive collection of items owned by Nelson Appleton Miles and his family.
4) ANTIQUE PAPER MONEY AND COINS
5) CHINA AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
6) MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
7) INDIAN ARTIFACTS
8) PAPERS – Some of the papers of the Westminster Historical Society and the Grange and various miscellaneous papers.
9) BOOKS – Hurd Room Genealogical Collection, the Miles Collection, the Warner Collection and the 1901 Collection.
10) NATURE COLLECTION – A collection including birds, butterflies, small animals, shells, rocks and other natural phenomena. (In 1990, part of the nature collection was on loan to Oakmont Regional High School. All items were returned to the library in 2000. The Nature Collection in December of 2000 was transferred on permanent loan to the Athol Bird and Nature Center
(Athol, MA)
The Special Book Collection is housed primarily in two areas:
The Eloranta Room and The Hurd Room
The Eloranta Room
1) The 1901 collection, a small representative sample of items from the
library’s original holdings
2) Pristine copies of town histories, local authors, etc.
3) The Miles Collection of books by and about Nelson Appleton Miles
and books that are signed by Nelson or other family members.
4) The Olin L. Warner Collection of early books belonging to the Warner
Family
The Hurd Room
1) Histories of the Town of Westminster and other geographically close
communities
2) Family histories of Westminster residents
3) Military histories
4) Vital Records
5) Town Reports
6) High School Yearbooks
7) Maps of the Town of Westminster
Funding of Special Collections
Purchases for library materials (books, pamphlets, videos, etc.) can be made from
the regular budget, grants or monetary gifts to the library.
Funding for appraisals, repair of artifacts, storage or other Special Collection needs must be approved by the Library Trustees, often, in partnership with the Westminster Historical Commission, the Westminster Historical Society and the Town of Westminster Board of Selectmen. Funding is sought through grants, articles placed on the Warrant of Annual or Special Town Meetings, Trust Funds or the regular budgets of any or all of the above mentioned bodies.
Gifts
Gifts of Books and other library materials accepted by the Director for inclusion in the special collection are accepted by the Director if they fit the following criteria:
· Does information in the volume have local significance? (e.g., does it have a local connection, such as information about the Miles family?)
· Does the volume have artifactual value? (e.g., signatures, inscriptions, or other notes written by local residents? Or is the volume part of a collection, such as the Olin Warner material? Note that signatures alone, particularly of local residents about whom no other information is available, may be of limited value.)
· Is it likely that the item will be used? How often?
· Is the item held elsewhere, and if so, what condition is it in?
· Can the item be properly preserved in the Forbush Library Collection?
Non-book gifts to the Town that are to be located in Library will be accepted by the Trustees if:
· The item was produced, owned or used by a resident, business or organization of Westminster.
· The item is unique to the collection.
· The item is at least in fair condition.
· The Item can be properly stored and preserved.
When the Trustees decide to accept a
gift on behalf of the Town, an article must be presented at the next Town Meeting
requesting approval of the acceptance of the gift.