Civic Pride in a Lost America: Library Postcards
Public Libraries of Massachusetts
Cities "S"
Salem
Still in use. This was John Bertram's mansion (And where have I heard this surname before?) built in 1855; later, converted to library use..
The card was used (reverse not shown) to boost local merchants. Since it's before automobile transportation was common, you can't blame Walmart.
So where was everyone going?
Sandwich (Weston Memorial Library)
It's confusing.
The Library is referred to as Sandwich Public Library and as Weston Memorial, although the latter seems to pertain to the operating bequest. Operational funds seem to be more or less donations.
Anyhow, This building is still in use, and about to have an interior renovation. I hope the exterior was sandblasted after this card was produced.
Another Fairbanks Card. FCC seems to be the National Press of the East.
Shelburne
Shelburne essentially has two libraries.
The postmark date is 1909. The Suffolk Post Card shows a tiny stone building. A drawing of it adorns the library's web page, but I don't know if it's meant to imply that this is still in use.
Shelburne Falls (Pratt Memorial Library)
Apparently still in use.
Photo postcard shows a brick library in a style more common west of the Mississippi. In the middle right of the card is a combination horse trough and drinking fountain.
Shrewsbury (Howe Memorial Library)
A social library was established in Shrewsbury in 1792. It was succeeded by a public library in 1872, but it took until 1903 when watchmaker Jubal Howe donated this generous building. It was expanded in 1922 and 1978.
The early C. W. Watts postcard was mailed in 1906.
Somerville
South Hadley Falls
Nearby South Hadley is said by Bobinski to have received a Carnegie grant in December, 1905.
Appears to have been replaced.
From the Dexter Press card reverse:
The South Hadley Falls Public Library was opened in 1907 on Bardwell St., South Hadley Falls, Mass. The Library has filled a vital need in the town and as it continues to serve the growing community, its value and convenience are widely appreciated. The three blue spruce trees standing in front of the Library were planted by the Girl Scouts.
South Natick (Bacon Free Library)
A non-profit organization, the library was founded by the Ladies' Social Circle Library. This building was built sometime between 1878 and 1908.
It's red brick and river rock, and appears lovely in the modern photos I can find.
The postcard, mailed in 1905, lacks publishing information.
Spencer (Sugden Town Library)
Still in use. Google Street View shows a lovely addition.
'Excelsior' brand card by The American News Company, printed in Germany. It was mailed in 1907.
Springfield
Horsecart in foreground
Includes the Smith Art Museum.
1905 Rotograph postcard
This 1871 building was moved, and replaced by a Carnegie building in 1912, according to the Library's website.
Sterling
1885 building. Replaced, with an unknown fate.
Mailed in 1904.
Stoughton
Failed at obtaining a Carnegie grant. Dedicated in 1904. Replaced ca. 1974. Apparently still standing.
Printed for 'Cobb the Druggist, The Rexall Store.'
Sturbridge
Now known as the Joshua Hyde Public Library. Its website doesn't have a history page yet, so I don't know if the building on the 1907 postcard is it.
Why would the captioner feel inclined to point out the rocks?
Sunderland (Graves Memorial Library)
Built ca. 1900 by the Allen Brothers, after a Walter Leslie Walker design.
Attacked by mold in the 1980s. Replaced ca. 2003. It appears that the historical society now occupies the space.
I hope their artifacts are glass and steel.
Card by Scott Photo.
Swansea
Beautiful library rendered unpleasantly and anonymously.
It was built in 1896, and funded--along with the Town Hall and the neighboring church--through the generosity of the Honorable Frank S. Stevens. Henry Yaughan was the stone building's architect.
Information from History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917, as found on archive.org.
