Williams Free Library
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Williams Free Library, located in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin was the first public library in the United States of America to have open stacks. While the building is no longer a library, its Richardsonian Romanesque architecture makes it a centerpiece of the city.
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[edit] History
[edit] Foundation
The library began as the Beaver Dam Free City Library, housed in a room in City Hall at its creation in 1884. In April 1890, John J. Williams, a wealthy local businessman, offered the library board of directors $25,000 to construct a new building if the city would pay of the land. The Common Council agreed on April 15, 1890 to purchase a lot belonging to W.H. and T.D. Lawrence at Park Avenue and Spring Street, as well as an adjacent lot owned by Joseph Wagner on Park, for $12,200.
[edit] Construction
Plans were completed Walter Holbrook of E.T. Mix & Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in May 1890 with a design inspired by Henry Hobson Richardson. Construction began in July, with lot preparations completed by August. On August 26, Mayor E. Elwell declared a half holiday for the cornerstone laying ceremony, which was executed by the local Masons. Collection of the required sandstone and limestone slowed construction, but work was completed in July 1891. and the building was dedicated on July 15, 1891 with thousands in attendance, and in conjunction with Beaver Dam's semi-centennial celebration.
The doors of the library opened on September 1, 1891, with Mary J. Doolittle as its innagural librarian and housed 4,500 volumes
[edit] Expansion
As the collection and city grew, the library had outgrown the Williams building. The city chose to build a new library over expanding the Williams Free Library, and opened the new Beaver Dam Community Library in March, 1984. The Williams Free Library was then converted into the permanent home of the Dodge County Historical Society Museum.
