New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-24
A SMALL TOWNS LIBRARY.
WHAT PLEASANTvILLE. A PROGRESSIVE
PLACE. HAS ACCOMPLISHED.
THE BUILDING. WHICH Is NEARLY FINISHED
COST 5000 AND CONTAINS EVERY


September l. IS an excellent institution. ana the
fact that II has been so successfully estaphsheu III
q small community makes 1t an example 10 many
larger places OF what can be accomplished Win d
little public spirit and perseverance In the me OF
permanent improvement in literary and social az
fairs.
The village of Pleasantvile is situated on the
Harlem Railroad. about thirty miles from New
York City 1t lies in one Of those picturesque val
leys that peculiar to Westminster 'ouh'S ,
and as a settlement. dates back in the history Oh
the county to times prior to the Revolution Unt
within the last quarter of century II was essen
tally n country hamlet a mere station. postonlCe
and small trading point for the surrounding farm
ing district: but, Mt the present time, It's newer
order of dwelling houses many Of them fine speci-
mems of modern villa architecture. indicate tha'
the place is rapidly falling into the way. so COM
mon TO Westchester towns. of becoming the sub
urban home OF New-York City people, or OF men
whose business interests are In the great metropo-
lis
The Library Association originated about three
years ago. when a small reading-room was opened
in the business portion Of the village. From the
beginning II prospered. The young men OF the
place found It pleasant to conGregate in the room
and take advantage of its privileges. both literary
and social. a year after the reading-room was
opened a fair energeticaly managed and sup
ported by the women OF the place. was heiu, ana
at it's close the managers agreeably surprised
1t was determined that this money should be in
vested in some way so that II could not be spent
piecemeal and accordingly lot was purchased
The lot secured is the one upon which the building
OF the association now stands. 1t is east Of the
Harlem Railroad. in the old Bedford Road. al the
junction of what Is known as Great Oak Lane
The tree from which the lane takes its name is
magnificent oak estimated to be over two hundred
years Old and stands directly In front of the IL
brary building.
After the purchase Of the lot the association
began TO form the nucleus of a library. as an ad-
ditional attraction to the reading room Last win
ter the library recognized by and became en-
titled TO the privileges Of the University Of the
State Of New-York Following this number OF
the leading citizens of the place. among whom
might be named DIR. f. p. Swift. Alfred Romer'
George u. Robbins Walter w. Law. S. Wood Cor
NELL Daniel T. Hays and n. l.. Hirshheld.
met and the erection OF a suitable library building
was determined upon. A list OF the subscribers is
not at hand, but IL be easily imagined that
there some practical examples of public spirit
evinced by the subscribers when 1t is known that
the building cost 5000. and that the funds for the
final payment OF all claims are now in the hands
of the treasurer of the association.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The building is frame structure. of pleasing
architectural appearance. and was designed by
John W Robinson. of New-York city The first
floor is devoted to auditorium reading-roo
and library combined, and social room. The IL
brary Is roomy. comfortable apartment, with an
cosey winter evenings that will be enjoyed in the
future by members Of the association large
table in the middle OF the room IS well equipped
with the daily papers and current periodicals.
while around the room are shelves sufficient to
are already in place and ready for The social
room is another pleasant apartment supplied with
The auditorium bears evidence that the architect
exerted himself 10 make it fine example OF his
TO be used would permit. 1t is a square apartment
that in an octagonal shape to a centre
piece forty feet above the floor The walls
panels. the framework of the panels in the dome
being particularly graceful and striking
The seating capacity Of the auditorium Is about
100 The seats are folding chairs. with hatrack at
tachments.
The stage will be provided with footlights ana
set OF scenery 1t is deep and will permit the
presentation Of ordinary comedies and light operas
as well as the literary and musical entertain nents
for which II designed.
The basement of the building is divided off into
bowling alley ninety feet long. billiard room that
just accommodates nicely one table and fixtures,
Kitchen. connected with the auditorium by dumb
waiter, and dressing to be used in connection
with the stage Ample provision made by The
architect for lighting the building in the DAYTIME.
there being abundance of large cheerful wrdows
gas in the village the building will be illuminated
at night with kerosene, for which handsome fix
AS already stated the building will be open for
first entertainment to be given in the auditorium
will take place on the evening of September g.
when the people OF Pleasantville will have an Op-
portunty of enjoying a treat in the form of
comedy presented by the Ideal Stock Company OF
Brooklyn. The play will be "A Love Knot" and
will be given with a full cast. The proceeds of the
entertainment are to be devoted to the purchase Of
curtains scenery and other fittings for the stage.
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The following are the officers Of the Library AS
ISOLATION; President. DR.. f. p. Swift first vice
president s. Wood Cornell second vice-president
4.
NJ Lane; financial secretary. Mrs. f. p. Swift
librarian Miss Minnie Choate. The following are
the trustees: Or. L. p Swift. Daniel p. Hays AL
fred Romer. c. II. Hall S. Wood Cornell. w. H.
Moore, J. V Stoutenburgh. c. II. Wheeler, c. NJ
Lane. w. II. Rosele. Albert See. George Washburn
Thomas b. Pierce and George b. Robbins. There
Is vacancy in the list Of trustees caused by
the recent death OF DIT G.. c. S Choate. The
of the association at the present time
Is about 100; the annual dues amount to g.
In closing this article IL is proper TO refer TO the
historic thoroughfare in which the library building
of the od hpse Manor TITS road was
the great highway from the Hudson River towns
to Bedford or Pines Bridge. In revolutionary
times It witnessed the passage of troops of weary
Contnentals burly flcssians and relocated
Brions Toward the end Of that strife the French
troops under Rochambeau came this way from
New England. through Poundbridge and North
summer encampment Of Isl. on the hills of Ciren-
over this same road in later years ambed the
Quakers from sleepy Hollow. old and young on
horseback. riding double in the fashion Of the
times. In order 10 reach the meeting house" at
ChappaQua. AS a local writer has said: Bedford
Road calls up figures OF men riding 70 court when
Bedford town was one o, the county seats: OF
weekly stages 10 the river and New-lOrk Of
heavily laden market wagons from up-country
which stopped at Pleasantville every Tuesday night
10 rest man and beast and resumed the journey 10
the Hudson the following day; Of the times when
letters few and far between. TO this secluded
spot by the way Of Tarrytown.
For who 1.-Two in these very present times
Bedford Road makes promises for enjoyment.
10 every one who Will accept. II leads. in pleasant
fashion always at one time 10 classic Sleepy HOl-
low. tnat dreamy land OF Trvings Imagination. at
another TO scenes portrayed In Cooper's Spy. 10
places interesting 10 the man Of letters. well as
10 those dear 10 the pa trioi."
And IL might be said that the place has the spirit
Of go ahead" in II marked In any village Of
It's size IN the State. With plenty Of beautiful
homes, abundance OF churches. "A fine. modern
schooihouse. and public library. certainly