In April, 1873 a few of the matrons of this lovely village gathered in one of their state homes to form the Gowanda Ladies Social Society. Anyone could join for 25 cents a year. Meetings would be on alternative Friday afternoons. They would quilt, knit stockings, and sew carpet rags (Those were strips of cotton materials sewed together and rolled into balls of various colors or mixed ready to hook into carpets). The object of the club was to manufacture and sell such articles and invest the proceeds thereof in such a manner as the society shall direct, by the majority of votes.



As they quilted or sewed, their conversation often turned to the books they had read; not many for there were very few books in the town and these were passed around from home to home; read and reread. From these chats, came the seed of our present library. "Let's start a library!" The majority of the voted must have been favorable for soon we see in their Treasurer's book, $25, spent for books, on several occasions and once even, $100, which was a fabulous sum in those days. On November 27th 1875 they agreed to pay a librarian a salary of $10 for the coming year and in May, 1875 members were assessed 50 cents each for the purpose of securing a bookcase. No one knows where the library was for there was no building at that time. Perhaps the paid librarian kept the collection in her home and loaned books out for a small fee for we often see, under Income, From the loan of books and Fines. It was also voted favorable by members to repair such books as they needed it and we such items as paper and mucilage as well as bills of 25 cents for freight on books.

From reading notes of this Ladies Group, those of March 2nd 1877 read as follows: Met at the residence of Mrs. W.W. Stewart, a large number present, a goodbye feeling manifested and the social as well as business picture of the gathering was highly satisfactory. A resolution was passes that Article 1, Section 1 of the Constitution be so amended to read: This society shall be called The Ladies Library Association. And so the Gowanda Free Library was born. The Certificate of Incorporation is in the present Library.

Not all of the ladies' time was spent quilting and knitting for now they must raise even larger amounts of money. An oyster supper was help, a Strawberry Festival, Dime socials and I quote "The ladies proposed to have members and their families meet in the Glen and take tea in place of the next meeting." I am not sure what taking tea was but The Glen is that wooded area to the right of Cemetery Hill, entered at the end of East Main Street. At one time, the Erie Railroad ran excursions to the Glen on Sunday afternoons from Buffalo to Jamestown. To go back to the Oyster supper which was held in Porter Welch's store "without charge", the oysters cost 90 cents a gallon, crackers 8 cents per pound and coffee, 35 cents per pound. Profit from the supper was $29.99 a mighty good profit in 1877.


No records were found from 1884 to 1896 but we do know that this same group of women along with new members became, in 1893, the Monday Evening Literary Cub and that in 1896 they joined, for $2 a year the New York State Federation of Women's Clubs. Their work carried on with the aim of establishing a library in Gowanda. By spring of 1900 after many more cared parties, lectures and Library Balls it was felt that they had sufficient funds to apply to the State of New York for a charter and start the Gowanda Free Library. They had on hand a little over $300. Another $200 would be given by the state. Since approximately $700 was needed, Franklin Locke of Buffalo, a former resident of Gowanda, donated the balance and on June 25, 1900 a 5 year trial charter was granted to the Gowanda Free Library with 5 Monday Club members on the Broad of Trustees. On November 3, 1900 our Library opened its doors in rooms over the Milan T. Hill Hose Co. a building now occupied by Miller Real Estate Agency. Mrs. Clana Vosburg was engaged as Librarian a position she held for 28 years. At the end of the trial years, the permanent charter was granted on June 28, 1905. (Can be seen in present Library).



At this time Mr. Jared Sidney Torrance of Pasadena, California a former resident of Gowanda for many years living in the home of now occupied by Dr. William Glazier, purchased and donated to the Library, a comfortable home on the present site of the Gowanda Free Library; "to be used as the trustees felt best, with no stipulations on conditions attached." Mr. Terrance, throughout his life, was a most generous benefactor with emphasis on libraries. In later years he contributed so much to the founding of a town, now a large industrial city, that Torrance, California was named for him.

Several newspaper items were written concerning the library at this time and I would like to include a portion of one which is as true today as it was so Mann years ago. I quote: "To one who has formed the habit of reading good books there seldom come hours of loneliness. Who could wish for better nobler company? The characters in history with the characters in fiction in speaking strong words and doing heroic deeds. The glamor of the past envelopes the present and enables the soul. Bring up a child in the way of good reading and he will never depart from the influence thereof. Frequently the word 'good' has been used in connection with the reading of books. By this is not meant that inane, namby pamby class of so called literature that some times is thrust into the hand of a boy or girl, and nauseates one with its impossible character drawings. But those books are good that speak of things as they are, not always avoiding mention of the ill and the evil. Those books are good whether of fact or fiction hat appeal to the heart, the mind and the conscience; that lighten the eye with resolutions and inspire the reader to consider and to emulate. It would seem that the proper maintenance of the Gowanda Free Library rests upon us not only as a duty but as a pleasure. The library is almost wholly maintained by voluntary subscription and by entertainment. The list of subscribers should be increased. The library entertainment should be well attended. The support of the library should not be considered a charity. Its maintenance is indispensable. It is not a luxury; it is a necessity." Unquote. Indeed, these are strong words but so very true, even today.


So at last our little group of women had their books and a place to house them. From a scrap book of Doris Muir's, I found that the house given by Mr. Torrance was presumable built by on Sidney Imus who, it is believed, sold it to John Potter when the former left to operate a hotel in Silver Creek. Its structure was believed to be unequaled here or elsewhere since its side walls were made of broads laid flatly one upon another making a six inch wall. Mr. Imus' ownership was prior to 1890. His family lived in the building for several years conducting a rooming house. On August 1, 1899 Dr. Ira Livernare hung out shingle there. He was followed by the A. T. Groat family and then a dentist, Dr. Franklin. The last tenants before it was given to the library was the family of Doris Muir and Doris relates, being a small child, how upset she was when they moved in and found blood spattered around in one room, presumably where the dentist pulled teeth!

For the next 31 years this building continued to serve the public. From time to time it was repaired but by 1936 a new building was very much needed. Through the investment of several large bequests, sufficient funds were on hand and oliver Johnson of Jamestown was hired as the architect to design a suitable structure. The contractor was Coyle (Bob) Knowles and the result; this beautiful building. The former house was sold for $150 moved to Torrance Place (ironically) and remodeled into a private home. While construction took place, the library functioned as usual from the then Looters Building on Water Street (Now Fashion Floors)



At last, on September 11 and 12, 1936, the Broad of Trustees officially opened the library to the public for inspection. Mrs. William Smallwood was the president of the board at this time. Doris Muir was the Treasurer of the Building Fund and Mary Powell Titus, threw Librarian. To this day, Library inspectors and officials who visit this building never fail to praise its beauty and functionality.

In 1947, through the efforts of Supervisor Waltor Cain and Library President, Doris Muir, the Gowanda Library became a contracting Library in the Erie County system. This contract means that we are privileged to use any facility of the main library in Buffalo and that the Erie County system pays the salaries of our six employees. And long as we can obtain the services of a qualified librarian locally we are able to select and purchase our own books. This is a distinct advantage since the waiting period and delivery of book purchased thru the main library is often as long as several months and at no lower prices. Also the Librarian knows the reading interests of the patrons. At the present time, the books are printed, prices are higher and discounts lower so that book shopping is a real challenge to our librarian.

An interesting fact has come to light since the installation of the paperback Rack here in this library. The Librarian reports that classics which have been on the shelves for years in hard covers and not circulated, are checking out frequently in paperback. Circulation as a whole in this library continues to increase every year despite drops in facilities all over the country.

After such a meager beginning, financially, the library has come a long way, but so have prices and expenses. Out side of the salaries paid by the Erie County Library System, the largest item is books and periodicals and today, utilities. The expenses are met by annual allotment from the village of Gowanda, dividends and interest on investments of gift memorial money and memberships. Outlying areas and the school also make token gifts to cover readers from the village and Erie County.

A Board of Trustees, originally 5 members and all members of The Monday Evening Literary Club, has been increased to 11 members. As near as can be ascertained, at least one member of the board has always been a Monday Clubber. They are entrusted to provide an adequate library for Gowanda and manage the business of the library. The annual meeting is held and open to the public on the first Thursday of January with quarterly meetings in January, April, July, and October.



As the minutes of both the Monday Evening Literary Club and the Library were read, it was impressing to find so many people who have given so much thru the years, to make it a success. A few names stand out: the few women who gathered so long ago and planted the seed for a Gowanda Library; the Monday Club Literary Club who followed it thru; the gift of the building by Mr. Torrance; the long service of Mrs. Vosburg despite her gruff manner that scared away many a child; Mrs. George Swift for her financial help in making the building possible; Mrs. Smallwood for her large Trust Fund available to the library. Last, but not least, Doris Muir. She has served in every capacity for the benefit of the library for some 50 years. Even today, no question asked of her goes unanswered.


With so much heritage and tradition; with so many interested and devoted people and, with the ever present need of written word, the library must go on!

P.S. 1989 And so The Gowanda Free Library has continued to grow. In the years 1986 and 1987 with the help of grants from the New York State Building Fund, the heating system and then electrical work was completely renovated. The following year a large room was added onto the back of the library relieving that congestion and making our library very spacious in size. Mr. Trevor Rogers of Buffalo was the architect. A Fund Drive, far exceeded our expectations proving that libraries are still very important to the public!