Monroe Library (1958-1972)

Welcome back, Monroe history lovers. This time we’re off to Monroe Center, specifically the property fronting Fan Hill Road on the west side of the Monroe Center Green. And, if that’s not specific enough for you, the location is just about where the gazebo stands in front of our town hall. We’re talking, of course, about the old Monroe Library, our first library to serve our entire town. So, grab your library card and let’s head on over to Monroe Center. Who doesn’t love our two town greens? One just isn’t enough, really.

Reading has always been a fundamental aspect of any established society, and from our earliest days when our town was known as the New Stratford Ecclesiastical Society, an established library has been a part of our history. It all started with Reverend Elisha Rexford, the first minister of Monroe Congregational Church. It was he who established the first formal library in town for church members to partake of. In the early 1900s, Mrs. Bessie Habersham, wife of Reverend Henry Habersham of Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, established a library in the church’s brick rectory on the east side of the Monroe Center Green. These were certainly appreciated resources in their day, but none were technically municipal libraries available to all town residents.

The path that would eventually lead to our first municipal public library, one large enough to serve our nearly 5,000 residents, started in 1954 with Mrs. Gertrude Harshbarger of Purdy Hill Road. It was she who first realized the need for a public library in Monroe and found broad approval for the project from our residents. At that time, Monroe residents in need of books and reference materials had to travel to libraries in Trumbull, Newtown, Shelton or Bridgeport. The Harshbarger family formed a committee with the town and established a library fund with a generous financial contribution. Additional funds were donated by residents and local scouting troops. Not to be left out, a group of children from Moose Hill Road and Hurd Avenue donated five hundred of their hard-earned pennies to the cause. Slowly but surely, the funds were raised.

With the financial goal finally reached, the only remaining challenge was finding a location to construct the new library. Initially, it was thought that perhaps an existing structure could be renovated for the library’s needs. The former rectory of St. Peter’s Episcopal church was considered, as was the stone field house behind Monroe Elementary School. Every vacant building within the town limits was given due consideration, from empty stores to barns to even a gas station. None of the available property options proved viable. The library eventually found a home with a generous donation of land by Mr. and Mrs. John Vernik, adjacent to their home at Monroe Center. The construction of the quaint brick-faced library began in April 1955 and officially opened to the public on Sunday, March 2, 1958. Mrs. Billie Glenn served as its librarian.

Our first supporting image shows the library during its final days in March 1972, the new town hall containing the new library that would replace it is seen in the background. Our second supporting image is from the same era. All libraries aside, you car buffs out there may recognize the late 1960s Ford Cortina MkII Estate Wagon to the left, a rather rare English import. To the far right we see the taillight of a Dodge Dart. Cars go a long way in helping to date old photos, you know. Our third image is an interior photo of the library. It sure looks quiet there, doesn’t it? The final image is a painting by David Merrill, our celebrated Monroe-native artist. From left to right are the Vernik House, the Monroe Library and the old Monroe Town Hall. All three buildings were demolished starting on Monday, May 1, 1972, revealing to all our new combined town hall and library in the distance.

I hope you enjoy this week’s historic spotlight on Monroe’s library history, which all lies within a short walking distance at Monroe Center. Our first small brick-faced public library served our community for only 14 years, and its replacement served for 42 years when it was replaced by the current Edith Wheeler Memorial Library. Please share this post with your family and friends, be they voracious readers or not, and as always, thank you for your continued support and interest in Monroe’s rich history. Until next time. Haven’t been to the library in a while? Now that you know the history, make the time to stop by, and please return any overdue books!

Looking to catch up on our past Monroe history articles? Use the web address shown below and head on over to our website. They’re all waiting for you in one place under the “History” menu. Enjoy!

Regards,

Kevin Daly
Historian, Monroe Historical Society
www.monroecthistory.org
Our Past is Always Present