Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-10-17
RICK MEMORIAL LIBRARY.



The town OF Bucksport, which was
Arst settled by Col. Jonathan Buck as
sarly a. f7o2, was one of the first towns in
the state to organize public library as
aoclation. AS early as 1906, which was
before there were many social Libraries, as
they were then called, in Maine, the lead
ing persons in Bucksport decided that a
public library was among the necessities
Of the prosperous town, and nearly 500
was raised for that purpose. On March
&. 1906, an Get incorporating the Bucks
mort social library was passed by the leg
stature OF Massachusetts,. meeting of
the proprletors was held In October OF
that year, at which stephen Peabody was
chosen moderator, Moody Pillsbury clerk,
and Rev. Mighill Blood, treasurer aud Ii
brarian. The committee chosen to pur-
chase books was composed OF Thomas 8.
sparhawk, stephen Peabody, Samuel Lit
tie. John lowering and Rev. Mighili
BLOOD. The first books for the library
were purchased Of Thomas & whipple In
New buryport, Mass, who then had a very
large bookstore, the books in which
almost NuTfaSrt4 tbOSt aiI1 DVpk-tbft
in Boston. The first book purchased for
TIE Bueksport library was copy of The
Spectator, which was labeled as No. /.
This original library corporation main
tsined its organization almost without in
terruption until 1887, and most OF the
books which it had were also kept intact
and were conveyed TO the Buck memorial
a. l..
brary building when il was presented 10
the town in issT.
The library building OF the Buck memo
rial library is beautiful little building Of
granite and is located on the main street
of the town short distance below the
Robinson house and the main part of
the chief business street. AT the right Of
the entrance or vestibule is the reading
room, while to the left Is the chief book
room and the librarians room. Vines OF
the Ampelopsis Vetehii run up the walls
and are iestooned over the windows, pro-
ducing pretty effect upon the gray gran
lite. The building Is finished in hard
equipped with reading tables, chairs and
other useful appliances for the reader.
To the iiberaiity OF the late Richard P.
Buck, the town OF Bucksport Is indebted
for this beautiful building. Mr.. Buck
was native Of this town, and the visitor
who has time to see all the interesting
things in this beautiful village will be
shown the old homestead of this family
opposite to which is large vacant lot in
the center OF which, quite removed from
the public street, is the old schoolhouse in
which MFR. Buck went to school when a
boy. lie said the building never should
BE- torn down, and before his death pur-
chased the bu= ding and the lot of ground
on which il stands and conveyed Il in
trust to the town, which keeps the lot in
condition and the house in repair.
In the sketch OF the history OF Bucks
port by George F. Bacon, published in
1872, we find the following: "The Buck
memorial library occupies beautiful and
commodious building, the history of
which is truly refreshing in these days OF
the breaking OF wills on account of the
avarice of those who begrudge the money
which the wills would have go TO certain
public Institutions. The Buck memorial
library was received through the gener
osity Of the late r. r. Buck, esq, native
OF Bucksport, supplemented by the jus
tice and conscientiousness OF his widow
and daughter, through whom the gift was
contaminated. 1t was the lifelong in
tention of the generous donor 10 provide
for toe erection of such a building, but
business cares prevented the gift during
his life ami caused its omission from his
viii, bat through the action OF the two
ladies mentioned the money was secured
and the beautiful structure erected" 1t
Is creditable to the people OF Bucksport
that public library was organized at so
early date, and to the liberality and pub
lie spirit OF Mr.. Buck who, long before the
Carnegie library era, gave the town this
handsome building.
Above the chimney piece OF the main
book room Is this tablet in bronze:
This Building was Erected
To the Memory of
RICHARD p. BUCK
By an AHestionate Wife and Daughter,
A. ID. 1887.
portrait of Mr.. Buck also hangs on
the wall in this room. The building cost
$1,000, and was designed by Charles
Cloagh, OF Brookline, Mass, who is
native Of Bluehili.
BY most considerable and happy ar
rangement, the use OF this library is quite
universal by the people of this town.
While fee of Il per year is charged for
the use of the books, the children OF the
public schools have free use of the reading