Perhaps because of Andover’s successful printing business and the town’s commitment to education, books – and access to these books – were important to its townspeople. The reading public for many years enjoyed access to “Social Libraries,” often available in local stores. One existed in North Andover as early as 1770. The Andover Frye District Circulation Library Association functioned in the 1840s, under the patronage of the successful and influential Smith & Dove flax mill business. The Smith Brothers even contributed $80,000 to the Theological Seminary for the construction of Brechin Hall Library in 1865.
Then in 1870, with the country – and Andover – still reeling from the devastating losses of the Civil War, John Smith, one of the brothers, visited his hometown of Dresden, Scotland. Exploring that town’s public library, Smith hit upon an idea. On July 2 of that year, he wrote a letter to his son back in Andover:
“I have thought the corner lot, where Joseph Abbott’s shop stood, would be a fine place for a Memorial Hall to be built upon, to commemorate and keep in remembrance the names of those who gave their lives in defending our national flag.”
Smith went on to pledge $25,000 on the condition that the town, within six month’s time, pledge a like amount. Of this total, $30,000 was to go for the building and land, “and $20,000 to be invested, the interest only to be spent in taking care of the library, if there should be one, and a Reading-room.”
On Dec. 31, 1870, town meeting heard that $8,500 had been subscribed in sums ranging from $350 to ten cents. Further pledges soon followed. Still, there remained a deficit of $3, 500. When an earlier 1866 sum of $4,500 was remembered – money that the Town had set aside for a Civil War Memorial – the sum of $51,500 was reached, and the future of the Memorial Hall was secured.
Architect J.F. Eaton was hired in May of 1871, and the firm of Abbott & Jenkins was awarded the contract. The cornerstone was laid on Sept. 19, 1871, with a list of all the Andover men enrolled in the Army and Navy during the “War of Rebellion,” and those who gave their lives.
Memorial Hall’s official opening was May 30, 1873. Clergyman Phillips Brooks gave the dedicatory address. In part:
“We are going to set apart forever a Hall of the Soldiers of Andover who died for their country, and also a means of culture and education for the Town to which they belonged…If these Andover soldiers were indeed the best fruits of our institution, the best specimens of our character, then all that can educate that character is the best memorial of them.”
From an original book purchase of 2,700 volumes, to over two million books today, Memorial Hall has seen many changes and grown to be a model for the surrounding communities. Physical changes included the removal of a Victorian roof line. A children’s room was added and later enlarged. Ground was broken in 1985 for a new $5.2 million addition. When work was completed in 1988, the library had doubled in size.
Internally, books were not the only focus. In 1978 a federal grant was awarded for the Information & Retrieval Program known as ANSWERS. A computer system was installed in 1981. The following year, MHL became the central site for the 36-member Merrimack Valley Consortium. Computer upgrades continue today as the library is now a computer center for 26 public libraries. Andover is the only library in Massachusetts to provide both functions.
Townspeople
ANDOVER STORIES: Memorial Hall Library's legacy of literacy and remembrance
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'Itchy feet' spurs global adventure
Nels Nelson at a landfill in Ethiopia.
After working in an 89-acre field in central Ethiopia all day, Andover native Nels Nelson returns to his home and writes an email, where he says "for better or worse, I'm a bit of a wanderlust."
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Since graduating from Andover High in 2003, Nelson's life has been filled with travel. -
Dalton column: Learning to write their mind
The first-graders were fascinated by the young girl on the poster, and especially her face. The young girl was about their age when the poster was created 65 years ago.
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I'd been invited to speak on the subject of writing to the first-graders at Shawsheen School, and I was feeling some trepidity, because it is not an age group with whom I regularly speak. Mrs. Susan Infantine, their teacher who'd invited me, had been helpful by explaining where her students were in their sentence development, and I had the help of my granddaughter, Elena Dalton, who was in the class and answered questions I had beforehand. -
Interested in visiting Andover, England?
Would you like to stay with an Andover counterpart in Andover, England?
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Andover Sister Towns Association is sponsoring a program, "Tower of London," at the Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover, on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. The meeting is offered in conjunction with the organization's planned trip to Andover, England from May 15 to 23. Trip information and details will be provided on transportation, possible sightseeing opportunities, and accommodations in the homes of Andover, England residents. New members are always welcome to join ASTA and the group encourages people to sign-up for the trip soon, as the number of participants is limited. - All Those Years Ago
- Nominations open for Rotary Citizens Who Care, Educator Awards
- Religion: Events involving local congregations
- Thursday, January 26, 2012
- From shy to the Statehouse
- Dalton column: Small riot, attack on officer and Abbot Village
- First birthdays for January 2012
- High School Reunions
- All Those Years Ago
- Senior center activities
- Thursday, January 19, 2012
- Church Crowd for King Day
- Dalton column: Andover High's second undefeated basketball team
- All Those Years Ago
- Thursday, January 12, 2012
- Destination, Cheesehead country: Bet has native pedaling 1,100 miles for charity
- Dalton column: Musician remembered
- Youth gather in town for Treble Chorus
- Senior center activities
- All Those Years Ago
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