The Nevins Memorial Library at 305 Broadway in
Methuen, Massachusetts was built in 1883 to honor
David Nevins, Sr. as a
memorial
A memorial is an object or place which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or works of a ...
gift
A gift or a present is an item given to someone without the expectation of payment or anything in return. An item is not a gift if that item is already owned by the one to whom it is given. Although gift-giving might involve an expectation ...
from his wife Eliza Nevins (née Eliza Coffin), his elder son
David Nevins, Jr.
David Nevins Jr. (July 30, 1839 in Boston, Massachusetts – August 24, 1898 in Germany) was a wealthy Yankee merchant in the city of Methuen, Massachusetts during the industrial boom of the late 19th century. , and his younger son Henry Coffin Nevins. The library is located at 305 Broadway in Methuen and was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
in 1984.
The Nevins Memorial Library offers resources including free
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by radio wave ...
internet access
Internet access is the ability of individuals and organizations to connect to the Internet using computer terminals, computers, and other devices; and to access services such as email and the World Wide Web. Internet access is sold by Internet ...
,
book clubs, an outreach program to deliver books and media for homebound individuals, and so on. The library is also the custodian of the Nevins Memorial Library Historic Collection, much of which is in storage and for which viewing appointments should be made. The collection includes
manuscript
A manuscript (abbreviated MS for singular and MSS for plural) was, traditionally, any document written by hand – or, once practical typewriters became available, typewritten – as opposed to mechanically printing, printed or repr ...
s and printed materials,
genealogical
Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinsh ...
resources,
vital records
Vital records are records of life events kept under governmental authority, including birth certificates, marriage licenses (or marriage certificates), separation agreements, divorce certificates or divorce party and death certificates. In some ...
, assorted ''objet d'art'' and collectables, and the
stained glass
Stained glass is coloured glass as a material or works created from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant religious buildings. Although tradition ...
windows of the library itself.
Gallery
Image:Nevins Memorial Library 1883.jpg, Photograph of the newly constructed Nevins Memorial Library in 1883
Image:Nevins Library First Librarians.jpg, Photograph of three of Nevins Memorial Library's earliest librarians. Seated at the table in the Reference Room are: Miss Alice Chase, Miss Crosby and Miss Tooday Dorsey. Reference books are in the background and artifacts from the Nevins Historic Collection (Pheasant, Vase, Table and Richsonian Chair) are visible.[Original is 4X6 sepia photograph from the Nevins Memorial Historic Collection]
Image:Nevins Memorial Library Interior.jpg, Present day interior of the original room
See also
*
*
References
Further reading
* Harriet Howe Ames
Catalogue of the Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen, Massachusetts Boston: Franklin Press, 1887
External links
Nevins Memorial Library Website
Library buildings completed in 1883
Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
Buildings and structures in Methuen, Massachusetts
Libraries in Essex County, Massachusetts
National Register of Historic Places in Methuen, Massachusetts
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