History of the Library
The Walpole Public Library
by Eleanor M. Harding – [from Ye Sawmill Settlement: a history of Walpole’s Government 1724-1974]
Grass roots for library system established in 1816
[Walpole Times, Thursday, April 2, 1964]
Timeline
March 13, 1876
Annual Town Meeting
July 15, 1876
The Walpole Public Library opens
The Walpole Public Library opens at Frank O. Pillsbury’s pharmacy. Mr. Pillsbury is hired as Librarian.
July 15, 1876
February 1, 1877
First Annual Report
1889
Deposit Books sent to Bird & Son, East Walpole.
1889
May 14, 1903
A Carnegie Library for Walpole
The Walpole Public Library opens at its new location on 65 Common St.
October, 1903
South Walpole Deposit station
Library opens South Walpole deposit station at Mr. Amos L. Hamilton’s store.
October, 1903
October/November 1906
East Walpole branch
The library opens a branch library in East Walpole after securing the “use of rooms at the Wednesday Club.”
Spring, 1914
North Walpole deposit station
North Walpole deposit station begins at the Fisher School.
Spring, 1914
April, 1914
East Walpole branch moves
East Walpole branch is moves from the Wednesday Club house to the Triangle Building at Bird & Son.
February 18, 1915
South Walpole deposit station moves
South Walpole deposit station moves to the new Community House.
February 18, 1915
December 11, 1924
The South Walpole deposit station moves
The South Walpole deposit station moves to the new South Fire Station on Summer Street.
July 7, 1925
North Branch Library opens
The North Branch Library opens “in a basement room at Fisher School.”
July 7, 1925
June 27, 1934
East Walpole Branch moves
East Walpole Branch moves to “the former Church and Wednesday Club at the corner of Walcott Avenue and Union Street.”
1953
South Walpole deposit station closes
Per Library Annual Report, the South Walpole deposit station closes.
1953
1970
Library addition completed
Addition to the library completed and accepted by the town at the March 16, 1970 Town Meeting.
May 16, 1981
North Branch Library closes
The North Branch Library closes, when the Old Fisher School is sold by the Town.
May 16, 1981
February 4, 1982
East Walpole Branch closes
East Walpole Branch officially closes.
February 29, 2012
The new Walpole Public Library opens
The Walpole Public Library opens at its new location at 143 School St.
February 29, 2012
