Putnam patriot., 1927-09-30
A HISTORY OF THE
 THOMPSON LIBRARY
Prepared By Miss Harriet Raw son Lewis For 25th Anni-
 versary Observance
C. s. Goddard. State Librarian. Is
 Present
Special ia Tbe patfiatl

Special fa Tn, Patrat
 llanIHs4ass Ss#t \ woman trHW ueiebberlue town recently re- marked to rhomnsouite. "Aou al- @afs have such interesting things iu thompson The celebration last Week et the twenty fifth anniversary H the thompson lihlHt} can certain Y he elassed aitb che "Intprestiag lRlhEs frum tRe organ voluntary. played by Mrs. Aalter Pratt. t0 the benedictioH pronounced by the Rev. F.. S, Lyons, the program was of great interest. Mrs Emma shaw Joieleugh as usual delighted the aus dtence by her apt remarks
 Mr ' S. Godards address on "A Good Town History and the Public Library was interesting and illum- mating Mir Wallace Smiths solos were pleasing, and Miss Lewis His tory of the Thompson Library was so full of things We were glad to hear. that II Is here given in full IT response to many requests.
 That twenty-five years have passed since our Library first opened its doors to the public seems hardly pcs sible. In this sketch there Is nothing new Co some of you. but possibly you will enjoy having your memories re- freshed. To those who do not know the beginnings. either because they are recent residents or were too young twenty-five years ago ta care. | trust there will be some things of in- terest
 On stormy evening. the 10th ef February. lSgS, little group of tif- teen responded "a an invitation from Miss Larned to meet II her home to consider the possibility of having q Public Library on Thompson Hill. It was my privilege to be one of that little group and there are two others who were present here today. Miss panning and Mr. Chandler.
 Plans were discussed and that very evening the Thompson Library was organized The Hon. Charles E Searls was chosen it's first President, and through his agency by an act of the Legislature the Thompson Public Library was incorporated.
 Frequent Meetings
 Frequent meetings were held. plans and ways and means were discussed. but at this time the working capital consisted solely of the faith and vision of Miss Larned. This, however. was soon augmented by sum which had previously been raised al entertain ments given by q group of young peo- pie, and kept in the bank awaiting some such appealing cause.
 With this nucleus negotiations for suitable site were begun. and in four months time the present location was purchased from Mr John E. Jacobs for the sum of s500Qo. and q building committee appointed. Miss Eafned. Mr. stephen Ballard and Rev George II Cummings, to procure plans anal estimates based on an approximate ex- peuaitHrr S6.U0H. or eee. s5 .00e of winch amount had been given or pledged al this time. through the ef- forts af an energetic soliciting eem- mittee
 Several architects submitted plans and those of Gay and Precter of kus= tuu met tho general approval If the Beari of Trustees. This was especial ly fitting. as Nr Gay was the descend ant of one of Thompson. first fam ihes. He was instructed to award the building contract to C. II. Kelly of Putnam. heating and plumbing 10 the Putnam Foundry and w F. Raifcrty. The stone for the building to be given by Thompson residents. 1 am remind ed of Longfellew,s poem. The Build i CTS:
 In the elder days of Art.
 Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part; For the Gods see everywhere and wish to pay this tribute to these 20th century builders. Our Library was erected on honor and is a monu- | ment to their skill and integrity With the exception of repainting outside replacing broken tiles. and | last year repairing damage done by frost to the chimney. the library Is ex- actly as 1t was twenty-five years ago. |
 In April. 1902, the building was the corners with candy and flowers, so everyone found something to satis- fy them before they left. 1t is hoped i