History of the Stevens Memorial Library

There has been a library in Ashburnham since 1793.  Initially it received no aid from the town.  Rights or shares of the library were sold at two dollars apiece, with the whole number issued at fifty-five.  The library was kept financially stable by selling shares, as well as collecting both monetary donations and donations of books.  After an existence of 40 years - in 1833, the organization was disbanded by mutual consent and books divided into 55 parcels and distributed by lot to the owners of the shares.

In 1850, The Ladies Library Association was organized and a limited collection of books of approved character was continued by renewals until 1884.  The volumes remaining in the organization were donated to the town and were the nucleus of the public library. The number of volumes in 1885 was 1700.

The town appropriated finances to sustain the library in 1885 and 1886 totaling $300.00 for each year, and during that time the library was housed in the selectman's office at the town hall.  In 1888, the town accepted the bequest of George Stevens, former town clerk, in the amount of $10,000.00 and a piece of land at the corner of Main and Water Street, with the stipulation that it be used as a site for a public library building.  The money from George Stevens was turned over to the town treasurer in 1889, and the library was named Stevens Public Library by a vote.

In April 1890, the ground was broken and in December 1890, the building was dedicated.  Books were moved from the selectman's office to the library's new location.  The doors opened to the public on January 9, 1891.  A printed list of titles was compiled by the members of the library committee and made available to the public inside the library.

Over the years, the town has contributed yearly to the up-keep of the library.  Additionally, donations from various sources have augmented the town aid.

In the spring of 1985, the Stevens Memorial Library trustees voted to support the reuse of the Dolly Whitney Adams building, a former elementary school.  With a town population of nearly 5,000, the library was out-growing the Stevens Building.  In 1986, at the Annual Meeting, voters unanimously approved Article 20 on the town warrant to accept the preliminary design for converting the D.W.A. building into a town library.  Renovation of the D.W.A building continued through 1987, during which time the town received several grants to offset inflation and to offset the $750,000 bond issue.

In 1988, the move into the new Stevens Memorial Library building took place on Sunday, May 15, 1988.