Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-10-16
ELLSWORTH LIBRARY.
A Writer in Bangor Commercial Tells
of Visit to It.

Especial Correspondent in Bangor Com
mercidl.]
One day last week we had the pleasure
OF visiting the Ellsworth city library. 1t
was visit that had been long planned
and one that from various causes had
been from time to time postponed, but
the pleasure Of the visit was, no doubt,
greater on this account. However that
might be the visit could never have given
us greater satisfaction than it did on the
afternoon when our visit was made, at
which time we had the uninterrupted
pleasure Of enjoying the several rooms OF
the building at time when the public
was not admitted. For this library, like
many others in the State, is open to the
public only on certain days OF the week.
Our visit occurred on "closed day." but
Miss True, the librarian, kindly opened
the building to ohr inspection and gave
our party OF two her constant attention.
She showed US the rooms, their many
attractions and gave US some points in
Its history.
To begin we may say that this library
originated with club OF young ladies
as SO many other public libraries in
Maine have begun--s good many years
ago. They pledged money personally
for the start, then bought a few books,
held entertainments and suppers, and
bought few more, carrying it on in this
way for many years. Finally in 1870. the
young ladies having collected good
BIN n x-ip I'm ~
maintain 1t, the library was given to the
city and kept In one OF the public rooms
of the city council. And so things went
on with 1t until about 1896 when Mr..
George Nixon Black, native OF Els
worth, resident in Boston, purchased
the well-known Tisdale Residences
colonial house OF beautiful proportions,
and solid external appearance-s:tuated
on a lot adjoining the Hancock county
buildings on State street in the city of
Ellsworth. The location is most desir-
able. There are ample grounds about the
building, on which are many graceful
old elms; it is open and free for long dis
tances on each side and the light and air
are given to the building in most ample
quantities. This beautiful property Mr..
Black presented to the city for the home
of its public library most liberal and
highly appreciated gilt.
The approach to the building is over a
gently curving walk across large lawn.
Above the entrance to the colonial portico
with its shspely columns, is the inscrip-
ton: "1s17-Public Library-1897."
We do not know much about the his
tory OF this beautiful old mansion but be-
lieve it was the home of one OF the early
settlers, and IL we have been correctly
informed a great-grandfather of the Mr..
Black who gave it to the city OF Els
worth. In order to convert the house
into library building as few changes as
possible were made.
Entering one sees a wide hall extending
the entire width OF the building. Like
all the interior it is finished In the simple
but expressive and beautiful style so COM
mon in the colonial residences OF the
period at which it was erected. At the
left wall OF the entrance hall is tall
clock purchased by MIR. Black in Holland,
bearing the mark nicholas Weyland,
Amsterdam" 1t is $50 years old. 1t Is
the only genuine antique piece OF furni-
ture in the building, the other pieces
which are OF modern make are ancient
only in design. To the right is beauti-
full quartered oak settle in colonial style
and over 1t on the wall famous old en-
craving OF st. Pauls cathedral at Rome.
Originally the house consisted of eight
square rooms, four on each floor. To
make the main library hall or stack room
the second story floor on the right Of the
entrance hall was removed, which room is
now the full height Of the two stories.