The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-10-20
The Carver Memorial Library.

Sears, the towns first benefactor, but it now
has library building that is credit to the
generous builders, a monument to the memory
of loyal citizen, and of which any community
might well feel proud. Thursday evening, Oc-
tober 18th, the Carver Memorial Library was
formally dedicated and presented to the town
of Searsport. The exercises opened in the
library building with Judge Joshua W. Black
presiding. Rev. R. G. Harbutt of Buxton, for
mer pastor of the Searsport Congregational
church, offered prayer. Then came the formal
presentation of the deed and keys most grace
fully done by Mrs. Elizabeth Carver Whittier
of Brooklyn. N. Y, representing the donors,
the heirs of Capt. George A. Carver. The ac-
Mortland, chairman of the board of selectmen
Brief remarks were made by Rev. R. G. Har-
butt in behalf of the churches; by Prof. A. E.
Blake, principal of the Searsport High school,
in behalf of the schools, and by ]. A. Clement
for the citizens. A copper box containing rec
ords and various articles, mot to be opened for
100 years." to be placed in the cornerstone,
was sealed by Mrs Whittier, assisted by Sec
ond Selectman James P. Nichols. In the box
are the following marine records of West Pros
pect and Searsport, compiled by the Searsport
correspondent of The Republican Journal: A
list of the vessels built by the late Master
John Carver from 1924 to 1861 list of the YES
sells built by the late Capt. George A. Carver,
and their commanders; sketch and photo of
the topsail schooner Mexican, the queen of the
Penobscot Bay fleet back in 1897; copy of the
| Ocean Chronicle, published at sea on board
the ship Frank Pendleton January 25, 1885, by
Capt. Edward Payson Nichols of Searsport; a
complete list of the 149 commanders of full
rigged ships of Searsport, and the ships they
commanded from 1884 to 1910; the first COM
mander was Capt. jeremiah Sweetser, Sr,
commander of the ship Henry Leeds built at
Prospect Marsh in 1884, and the last command
er in active servicH, Capt Albert T. Whittier
who retired in 1910 from the command of the
ship Aryan, the last wooden ship, built at
Phippsburg, Me. in 1898 of 2, 123 tons and now
entirely owned by Eugene P. Carver, Esq, a
native of Searsport, now prominent marine
lawyer of Boston; a complete list of the fifteen
ships built here, their master builders and COM
manders when built, the years in which they
were built. The box also contained Republican
Journal dated September 8, 1908, containing an
obituary of Capt. George A. Carver; photo of
Capt. Carver; New York Times, October IL,
1910; Republican Journal, October 13, 1910;
Waldo County Herald, October 13, 1910; pro-
gram of the dedicatory exercises; genealogy of
the Carver family. After packing the box, Mrs.
Whittier, who is the daughter of the late Capt.
Geo. A. Carver, tied it with white satin ribbon
and it was sealed by Judge ]. w. Black, who
placed it in the corner stone, where it was seal
ed and where it will remain for the next 100
years, to be opened on the Tooth anniversary of
the dedication.
The company then adjourned to Union Hall,
which was filled to the doors. Capt. B. F. Col
cord presided. Hon. Payson Smith, State
superintendent of schools, gave most able ad-
dress on "The Library as Factor of Educa-
tion, and before and after the address violin
solos were given by Miss Lillian G. Mowry,
her selections being "Cavatne," by Raft, and
"Salut d Amour" by Elger, with Miss Mildred
Shute, accompanist.
A library association was formed with 100
members meeting for organization, with
election of officers, will be held in the library
building at 7.30 this, Thursday, evening.
Mrs. George A. Carver and her daughter,
Miss Alice Chase. of Brooklyn, N. Y, were
present, and many other former Searsport
people.
THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
The building is situated on Union street and
is built of field stone from the Carver farm at
Moose Point, with granite trimmings. Massive
granite steps lead from wide granolithic walk
and on either side of the entrance are tall elec-
trio lamps. Over the entrance is a tablet mark
ed Carver Memorial Library" The doors
opening into the vestibule are of heavy oak
with massive brass fittings. On the left of the
vestibule is commodious lavatory and toilet
while the stairways leading up and down open
from the right. The walls of the vestibule are
done in soft terra Gotta with stencilled de-
sign Of green tulips. Oak doors with plate
glass open into the main or distributing room
Here, as in the vestibule, the floor is of Italian
marble. A beautiful dome ceiling, frescoed in
old ivory blending into pale green with con-
ventional stencilled pattern, makes the room
one of unusual beauty and restfulness. About
the dome are mural paintings, representing
art literature, science and music. The libra
rian's desk, book racks, and all fittings are OF
oak The room is fitted with many electric
lights with handsome fixtures of old brass.
On each side of the distributing room are
reading rooms most attractively furnished
The adults room is furnished with reading
tables and chairs, while handsome fireplace
gives homelike atmosphere. The fireplace il
faced with black marble and black tiling. A
long, low window-seat across the front win
dows completes most attractive room. Tn,
children's room on the opposite side is furnish
J ed the same with the exception of the omis
sion Of the fireplace. Brass e!ectroliers will
ground glass shades are found in both readin,
rooms. The walls are cream, stencilIed in 6
Grecian pattern of soft green. Handsome oal
pillars separate the reading room from the dis
tributing room.
Amos Carver of Brooklyn, N. Y, son of tn
late Capt. George A. Carver, gave personal at
tention to the selection of furnishings and fit
tings and the beauty of the building is largel
due to his excellent taste and that of the othe
members of the Carver family. McLain 1