circa 1890 Click To Enlarge
|
The Portville library came about in 1857 when Mrs. William F. Wheeler, A a school teacher from Vermont went from house to house begging for just one book from each family. She got 27 books including her own donation. In January of 1869 a new library association was organized with the following officers: President A.T. Warden Vice Pres. W.E. Wheeler Treasurer A.M. Wheeler Secretary S.W. Cowell Librarian C.H. Bartlett In 1909, Mr. E.G. Dusenbury purchased the property of Smith Parish. The house was of colonial Georgian architecture, built by Mr. Parish in 1847. Mr. Dusenbury then presented the property to the village of Portville, with the stipulation that the building was to be used for the permanent home of the Portville free Library |
