Moretown memorial Public Library
Moretown, Vermont
From the book "Where The Books Are"
Written by Patricia W. Belding,
Potash Book Publishing
Histories of Other Libraries In &
Around Central Vermont
The Moretown memorial Library, a two-story white-clapboard building on VT Route 100B, is located high above the Mad River.
Built as a private home and known as the Palmer house, it was purchased for $450 in 1923 and converted for library use.
The Moretown library Association, the first in town, started in May 1904 with $250 in subscription money. It was followed by the Moretown Public Library, organized on March 7, 1905 under the law of 1894, which entitled the library to receive 124 books from the state a year later.
In March 1916, when the association sold its books to the newly-formed Moretown Free library for $19.09, the public library was discontinued. Florence Haylett kept the new library in her home until she resigned in 1919. In 1921-22 the library was open for a time, but it needed new quarters. Consequently, on October 24, 1923, the trustees met to discuss buying the Palmer house. Letters that they sent out requesting money for repair, upkeep, and the purchase of books brought responses from 28 former residents, three townspeople, the Community Club, and the old Dramatic Club.
The Late Greek Revival house with porch, sidelights, and curved lintels over the windows was much larger in 1923 than it is today. The flood of 1927 washed away all but what remains: one large room with a children's alcove and two upstairs rooms used by the Moretown Historical Society. The library, closed for repairs until September 1929, has since stayed open with town support. Recently, the foundation was worked on with assistance from Vermont Historic Preservation and the upstairs rooms were cleaned and put to use. Although open only a few hours each week, Moretown's library continues to serve a population of about 1,400.
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With thanks to Jack Belding