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Showing posts with label Carroll Co Public Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carroll Co Public Library. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

First president racks-up $300,000 in overdue library fines - May 10, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff


Our nation’s first president may never have told a lie, but he was not without his faults. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-nations-first-president-may-not_15.html  

First president racks-up $300,000 in overdue library fines. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-nations-first-president-may-not_15.html

Too funny. Sadly, the links for most of 1,000 stories I wrote in the Carroll Eagle Section, all its predecessors, the Westminster Eagle et al; from the years before The Baltimore Sun purchased the Carroll County Times – are now all dead. Really bums me out.

However, I cross-posted a link to many of the stories on my websites, kevindayhoff.net and kevindayhoff.org …

I was recently reminded of one of my all-time favorite stories of my all-time favorite stories in response to a colleague’s (CAMK) confession on Facebook that she owes the library late-fees. Too funny. Epic… Dec. 14, 2016 / ked. All of you are in good company: First president racks-up $300,000 in overdue library fines. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-nations-first-president-may-not_15.html

May 10, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff

The BBC is reporting that archivists in New York’s oldest library have uncovered a surprising borrower with overdue books.

It has been recently revealed that on October 5, 1789, our nation’s first president, George Washington, borrowed two books from what was then the only library in Manhattan, the New York Society Library.

According to the BBC, on October 5, 1789, a time when New York City was serving as our nation’s capital, President Washington borrowed the “Law of Nations,” a dissertation on international relations, and volume 12 of a collection of transcripts of debate transcripts from Britain's House of Commons. 

Now this in itself may not be earth-shattering news.  However there is a catch.  It appears that the books were due a month later but they were never returned.

At the moment, the overdue fines for this lapse, by the president who never told a lie, have grown to $300,000.00 in the ensuing 220 years.

The BBC reports that although the library is willing to excuse the fine from the first president, it does, however, want the books back. “Sadly for fans of 18th-Century political literature, they appear to have vanished,” laments the BBC.

Locally, in Carroll County, the first library did not open until 1863, so that rules-out the opportunity for President Washington to have any overdue library fines in Carroll County.

Furthermore, the Carroll County Public Library is not aware of any president who has any overdue library books, according to Gregor Becker, an information specialist with the local library.



http://bit.ly/cBgZnY - sadly, this is now a dead links – updated Dec. 14, 2016

20100510 d1 SCE Washington failed to return library books. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-nations-first-president-may-not_15.html

Our nation's first president may not have told a lie, but he was not without his faults Posted 5/10/10 by Carroll Eagle – Updated Dec. 14, 2016 - the link to the Carroll Eagle is now dead. For a while, the Baltimore Sun picked-up the stories, but alas, all the links are now dead – the link simply takes you to the Baltimore Sun…. It was updated in response to a colleague’s (CAMK) confession on Facebook that she owes the library late-fees. Too funny.


Related: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-nations-first-president-may-not.html - Our nation's first president may not have told a lie, but he was not without his faults Tuesday, May 11, 2010


*****

Friday, May 20, 2016

I really enjoyed the Celebrating America Luncheon with Mark Zwonitzer at Grace Lutheran Church. Friday, May 21, 2016


I really enjoyed the Celebrating America Luncheon with Mark Zwonitzer at Grace Lutheran Church. Friday, May 21, 2016 Tony Eckard Gainor Davis Richard Weaver Doug Howard Kathy Zepp Wantz Pamela Zappardino Charles Collyer Michael Shipley

Zwonitzer, the author of "The Statesman and the Storyteller," about the relationship of John Hay and Mark Twain; is being by interviewed McDaniel professor, historian Dr. Bryn Upton

Sitting with Pam Zappardino and Charles Collyer and so many good friends and colleagues. Hat's off to the leadership of Commissioners Howard, Weaver, and Wantz – and for Lynn Wheeler and the great staff of the Carroll County Public Library… for bringing this program forward…

Monday, May 02, 2016

Carroll Co. Library celebrates the 65th anniversary of the opening of Davis Library


Carroll Co. Library celebrates the 65th anniversary of the opening of Davis Library http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2016/05/carroll-co-library-celebrates-65th.html

For more information on the Davis Library click here: Westminster File Davis Library

Westminster Md. May 1, 2016 Sunday - Sharon Yingling on the left – a member of the Friends of Carroll County Public Library board, Davis Library board member Caroline Babylon in the middle, and Carroll County Public Library board member Joyce Davis Muller on the right, cut a cake at the Westminster branch of the library to help celebrate the 65th anniversary of the opening of the Davis Library, a predecessor of what we know today as the Carroll County Public Library. Photo by Del. Susan Krebs.

Look for a similar photograph by Carroll County Public Library’s communications specialist Jennifer Boatman on an excellent article about this event by Carroll County Times writer, Michel Elben in the Monday, May 2nd, edition of the Carroll County Times. Find her article here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/communities/westminster/ph-cc-davis-library-anniversary-20160501-story.html

Caroline, and I joined many friends, colleagues, and community leaders, and the fantastic staff of the Carroll Co. Public Library for a celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis’ contributions to our community.

Jennifer Boatman also produced an excellent video in which local folks shared their memories of the Davis Library. The video debuted at the Davis Day ceremonies today, just after lunch as approximately 45 folks braved a spring shower and chilly temperatures to attend the historic downtown Westminster event; one of many recently developed by the Carroll County Public Library.

Many could not agree more with what Del. Susan Krebs said on her Facebook page, “Celebrated Davis Day at the Westminster library, honoring Walter H. Davis who started the first public library in Carroll County in 1951. What a legacy he left to Carroll Countians!”

Thank you Del. Susan Krebs, Mark Krebs, and Commissioners Dennis Frazier, and Stephen Wantz, and Kathy Zepp Wantz, Paul Zimmermann, for always taking the time, often away from your families, in spite of extremely busy schedules; to show - up at our community events.

A big thank you goes out to the staff and board of the Carroll County Public Library for all your hard work on developing so many arts and cultural community and social events for Carroll County; including folks such as Kati Hoffman, Jennifer Boatman, Lisa Picker, Tony Eckard, and Lynn Wheeler.




*****

Sunday, May 01, 2016

We joined many at the Westminster Library for a celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis’ contributions to our community May 1, 2016


May 1, 2016 Sunday - We joined many at the Westminster Library for a celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis' contributions to our community May 1, 2016
Thank you Del. Susan Krebs, Mark Krebs, and Commissioners Dennis Frazier, and Stephen Wantz, and Kathy Zepp Wantz, Paul Zimmermann, for always taking the time, often away from your families, in spite of extremely busy schedules; to show - up at our community events. 
 
Caroline, Grammy, Marian, and I joined many friends, colleagues, and community leaders, and the fantastic staff of the Carroll Co. Public Library for a celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis' contributions to our community. 
 
Could not agree more with what Del. Susan Krebs said on her Facebook page, "Celebrated Davis Day at the Westminster library, honoring Walter H. Davis who started the first public library in Carroll County in 1951. What a legacy he left to Carroll Countians!" 
 
A big thank you goes out to the staff and board of the Carroll County Public Library for all your hard work on developing so many arts and cultural community and social events for Carroll County; including folks such as Kati Hoffman, Jennifer Boatman, Lisa Picker, and Lynn Wheeler.

At the Westminster Library for a celebration of Davis’ contributions to our community


May 1, 2016 Sunday - Caroline, Grammy, Marian, and I joined many friends, colleagues, and community leaders, and the fantastic staff of the Carroll Co. Public Library for a celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis' contributions to our community. 
 
Could not agree more with what Del. Susan Krebs said on her Facebook page, "Celebrated Davis Day at the Westminster library, honoring Walter H. Davis who started the first public library in Carroll County in 1951. What a legacy he left to Carroll Countians!" 
 
Thank you Del. Susan Krebs, Mark Krebs, and Commissioners Dennis Frazier, and Stephen Wantz, and Kathy Zepp Wantz, Paul Zimmermann, for always taking the time, often away from your families, in spite of extremely busy schedules; to show - up at our community events. 
 
A big thank you goes out to the staff and board of the Carroll County Public Library for all your hard work on developing so many arts and cultural community and social events for Carroll County; including folks such as Kati Hoffman, Jennifer Boatman, Lisa Picker, and Lynn Wheeler. 
 
xxxxxxx 
 
We joined many at the Westminster Library for a celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Davis' contributions to our community May 1, 2016 Carroll Co Public Library, Westminster File Davis Library

Monday, September 10, 2012

Carroll County Public Library: Great Leaders, Great Readers


Great Leaders, Great Readers

http://library.carr.org/find_books_more/GreatLeaders_GreatReaders.asp 

Jean Lewis
Jean LewisJean Lewis is the President of the NAACP, Carroll County Branch, and a very active and passionate community leader. She was honored for her work with the Achievement Initiative for Maryland’s Minority Students program at Carroll County Public Schools. She initiated the CMC’s March on Washington Oral History Project. A lifelong reader, Jean is a member of the CAPS book group





Jack Tevis
Jack TevisJack Tevis is President and CEO of Tevis Energy/Modern Comfort Systems. Founded by his grandfather, Tevis Oil is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Jack and the Tevis family have enhanced the quality of life in Carroll County through their growing businesses and their philanthropic activities. Jack was on the Carroll Hospital Foundation Board for more than a decade. He has given generously to his church, the Boys and Girls Club, and Carroll County Public School Education Foundation. He is a significant contributor to the library’s Sculpture in Mary Lou Dewey Park initiative in partnership with the Carroll Community Foundation. Jack is a voracious reader on a wide range of subjects.


Joyce Muller
Joyce MullerOur featured great reader is Joyce Muller. Joyce is a lifelong patron of CCPL’s Westminster branch and served on the library board from 2001‐2010. She is the associate vice president for Communications and Marketing at McDaniel College. Joyce favors literary fiction writing by young authors (under 40) and translated works that document world history. Characters, storytelling and exceptional prose win limited shelf space.”


Ted Zaleski
We are delighted to introduce the first in a series of bookmarks featuring books Ted Zaleskirecommended by great readers and leaders in Carroll County.  Our first great reader is Ted Zaleski, Carroll County Director of Management and Budget.  A lifelong learner, Ted regularly read books to his children.  One night his daughter asked him, “Why are we always reading books about boys?”  Ted notes, “Chastened by my daughter’s question I set out to find good books about girls.  It was harder than I expected.  They were out there, but I had to dig for them.  I began to wonder how many girls were being fed a diet of books about boys by default.  It occurred to me that other parents might be interested in the same kind of books I was looking for.”
*****

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Nicholas Stern - Frederick News-Post: Carroll libraries branch into e-readers

Carroll libraries branch into e-readers
Originally published July 13, 2011

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=123583

By Nicholas C. Stern 
News-Post Staff 

Federated Charities

Visitors to the Carroll County Public Library can now dabble in the world of electronic readers and audio players to enjoy their favorite titles.

Thanks to a $28,788 innovation grant from the Maryland Department of Education's Division of Library Development and Services, the county's six branch libraries are now equipped with a slew of iPad, Kindle, Nook Color and Sony Reader devices in a Tech Bar, according to library spokeswoman Lisa Back...  http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=123583

*****

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Kevin Dayhoff: ARACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library...http://tinyurl.com/373npah

ARACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library Associate' spidernapped in Westminster Investigative Voice By Kevin Dayhoff

Investigative Voice
RACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library Associate' spidernapped in Westminster
Investigative Voice
By Kevin Dayhoff Westminster, Md. — Local residents were startled last week upon learning that a shocking abduction had taken place on Main Street in broad ...


INVESTIGATIVE VOICE FEATURETTE
THE ABDUCTION OF CHILE ROSE


By Kevin Dayhoff


Westminster, Md. — Local residents were startled last week upon learning that a shocking abduction had taken place on Main Street in broad daylight at the downtown Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

A “library associate,” Chile Rose, had been spidernapped!

The alarm first rang out at 4:13 p.m. on Wednesday of last week that “Library Associate Chile Rose”

[...]

Westminster Police Cpl. Radcliffe Darby responded immediately. Darby is well recognized for being tuned-in to the community and thus understood the gravity of the case.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Kevin Dayhoff: ARACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library... - Inside Charm ...
Kevin Dayhoff: ARACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library Associate' spidernapped in Westminster Investigative Voice By Kevin Dayhoff.
friendfeed.com/.../kevin-dayhoff-arachnid-abduction-library

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Friday, May 28, 2010

ARACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library Associate' spidernapped in Westminster Investigative Voice By Kevin Dayhoff

Investigative Voice
RACHNID ABDUCTION! — 'Library Associate' spidernapped in Westminster
Investigative Voice
By Kevin Dayhoff Westminster, Md. — Local residents were startled last week upon learning that a shocking abduction had taken place on Main Street in broad ...


INVESTIGATIVE VOICE FEATURETTE
THE ABDUCTION OF CHILE ROSE


By Kevin Dayhoff


Westminster, Md. — Local residents were startled last week upon learning that a shocking abduction had taken place on Main Street in broad daylight at the downtown Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

A “library associate,” Chile Rose, had been spidernapped!

The alarm first rang out at 4:13 p.m. on Wednesday of last week that “Library Associate Chile Rose”

[...]

Westminster Police Cpl. Radcliffe Darby responded immediately. Darby is well recognized for being tuned-in to the community and thus understood the gravity of the case.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Our nation's first president may not have told a lie, but he was not without his faults

Our nation's first president may not have told a lie, but he was not without his faults

George Washington racks-up $300k in overdue library fines
Posted 5/10/10 by Carroll Eagle By Kevin Dayhoff
British Broadcasting Corp. is reporting that archivists in New York’s oldest library have uncovered a surprising borrower with overdue books.

It has been recently revealed that on Oct. 5, 1789, our nation’s first president, George Washington, borrowed two books from what was then the only library in Manhattan, the New York Society Library.

According to BBC, on Oct. 5, 1789, a time when New York City was serving as our nation’s capital, Washington borrowed the “Law of Nations,” a dissertation on international relations, and Vol. 12 of a collection of transcripts of debate transcripts from Britain's House of Commons.

Now this in itself may not be earth-shattering news. However there is a catch. ...

It appears that the books were due a month later but they were never returned. GASP!

At the moment, the overdue fines for this lapse, by the president who never told a lie, have grown to $300,000 in the ensuing 220 years.



Our nation's first president may not have told a lie, but he was not without his faults Posted 5/10/10 by Carroll Eagle – Updated Dec. 14, 2016 - the link to the Carroll Eagle is now dead. For a while, the Baltimore Sun picked-up the stories, but alas, all the links are now dead – the link simply takes you to the Baltimore Sun…. It was updated in response to a colleague’s (CAMK) confession on Facebook that she owes the library late-fees. Too funny. 

*****

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

February 8, 1946: Westminster Public Library Making An Appeal

Westminster Public Library Making An Appeal
This day in history – all right, at this point, yesterday in history…
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-8-1946-westminster-public.html http://tinyurl.com/ydznaae
Democratic Advocate, February 8, 1946.

February 8, 1946: Westminster Public Library Making An Appeal https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2017/02/february-8-1946-westminster-public.html Feb. 8, 2017

LIBRARY MAKING AN APPEAL - The Westminster Public Library is again making its annual appeal to the citizens of Westminster.

February is known as Library Month and it is hoped that many generous contributions will be received.

Present members of the Library are urged to renew their memberships, and now members are welcome to join, at any time. The fee is $1.00 per year and may be sent to the Librarian. Mrs. Martha Shaw, or to the treasurer, Mr. C. Ray Fogle.

The Library is open on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8, also Thursday morning from 10 to 12.

Many new and interesting books have been added during the past year, especially in the juvenile section. Parents are urged to come and bring the children as there is something for all ages.

Democratic Advocate, February 8, 1946.


19460208 Library Making An Appeal Democratic Advocate Carroll Co Public Library, History 1940s, History 1940s Carroll Co, History This Day in History, History Westminster 1940s

February 8, 1946: Westminster Public Library Making An Appeal http://tinyurl.com/ydznaae
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Thursday, January 07, 2010

The Carroll Record: Taneytown Library Notes from January 6, 1972

The Carroll Record, January 6, 1972.

Taneytown Library Notes –

1971 is now history, and the staff of the Taneytown Library wishes to thank each friend who helped make the past year another milestone in their effort to serve the community with reading materials.

Once again, library circulation is shown an increase over the past year! During 1971 approximately 27,000 books, magazines and records were placed in circulation.

Many new faces have appeared at the library requesting library cards and the staff looks forward to an even greater year.

Your use of the library is our guarantee that our town is growing and progressing forward. Every family is welcome to use the library as long as books are returned promptly when they are due.

The Carroll Record, January 6, 1972.


19720106 Taneytown Library Notes
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Thursday, June 28, 2007

20070627 Davis Library part 1

20070627 Davis Library part 1

Library is at the center of the bookshelf of Westminster history

Davis Library part 1
Westminster Eagle
June 27th, 2007 © by Kevin Dayhoff (669 words – as filed)

Plans were recently announced for the renovation of the 27-year-old Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

This news prompted some discussions of the history and origins of the library in Westminster. Of course, the history of the library in Westminster, like most successes in Carroll County, is the history of a tradition and heritage of private – public partnerships, great leadership, and selfless philanthropy from community leaders.

Writing for this paper, Katie Jones noted, “Two years ago, the Westminster Public Library celebrated 25 years of service” in its present location. She also noted that the “students of Medora Lynn's school of ballet, The Ballet Slipper,” put on a recent benefit performance to help raise money for the renovations.

The current site of the library on Main Street is the fulcrum point of old traditional Westminster and is steeped in history. It was preceded by several different church structures for the St. John Catholic Church community dating back to 1789 when four acres were donated to the Catholic community for a cemetery and a church.

However, in those days, the church property was not in Westminster. It was in an outlying area which was laid out in 1812 as the town of “Bedford.” The town of Bedford comprised the area between Main and Green Streets, from where Longwell Avenue is now, to near where Bond Street currently exists.

On the other side of Main Street was the “Town of Winter’s Addition to Westminster,” which was recorded with the Frederick County clerk on December 5th, 1815 by John Winter and John Winter, Jr. It is the area between Main Street and Winter’s Alley.

At the time, Westminster, then “Winchester,” laid out in 1764,- was comprised of King’s Street (now Main Street) from Manchester Road to Court Street.

In between the town of Bedford and “Winchester,”, was the competing town of “New London,” which was laid out in 1765 by Captain John White.

New London included that area along King’s Street from Court Street to Longwell Avenue. On February 5th, 1819, “Westminster,” and the first annexation of the town, in 1788, of the area along Green Street from Washington Road to Church Street, plus “Winter’s Addition” and “New London” were incorporated as Westminster by the Maryland General Assembly.

“Bedford” was not a part of Westminster until a re-incorporation occurred in 1830 and the town expanded as far as “The Forks” where Pennsylvania Avenue begins at West Main Street. The area at “The Forks” and beyond was a rival thriving business area, parts of which were known as “Pigstown,” “Fanny’s Meadow” and “Logsdon Tavern.”

In those days St. John Catholic Church was a mission church of the Conewago, Pennsylvania parish. It soon became parish mission of Taneytown’s St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Construction began of the last of several church structures in 1865 (four years after the railroad arrived). On Thursday, June 19, 1952 at 4:45 in the afternoon, the steeple of that church was destroyed by a tornado and the church damaged. In 1968 the building was deemed unusable. In 1972, a new church was built on Monroe Avenue and the Main Street property remained unused until March 1980 when the current 40,000-square-foot library facility opened with a chilly parade – of sorts.

It was a “book parade” which followed the tradition of how the books were moved by schoolchildren from the old Westminster High School at Green and Center Streets to the then-new Westminster High School on Longwell Avenue on an equally cold Monday afternoon on November 23rd, 1936.

This time it was a cold Saturday morning when, according to published accounts, about 500 citizens hand-carried 60,000 books and other library items from the Davis Library building at 129 East Main Street to the new building.

The roots of the library in Westminster began during the Civil War, in 1863, at the other end of town, the Odd Fellows Hall, now known as the Opera House Printing Company at 140 East Main Street.

For now, bookmark this introduction until next week’s chapter.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at:
kdayhoff at carr.org
####

20070627 Davis Library part 1

Carroll County Public Library, Dayhoff Art writing essays and articles, Dayhoff Media Westminster Eagle, History Westminster, Westminster Scrapbook Davis Library

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

20070627 Davis Library part 1

20070627 Davis Library part 1

Library is at the center of the bookshelf of Westminster history

Davis Library part 1
Westminster Eagle
June 27th, 2007 © by Kevin Dayhoff (669 words – as filed)

Plans were recently announced for the renovation of the 27-year-old Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

This news prompted some discussions of the history and origins of the library in Westminster. Of course, the history of the library in Westminster, like most successes in Carroll County, is the history of a tradition and heritage of private – public partnerships, great leadership, and selfless philanthropy from community leaders.

Writing for this paper, Katie Jones noted, “Two years ago, the Westminster Public Library celebrated 25 years of service” in its present location. She also noted that the “students of Medora Lynn's school of ballet, The Ballet Slipper,” put on a recent benefit performance to help raise money for the renovations.

The current site of the library on Main Street is the fulcrum point of old traditional Westminster and is steeped in history. It was preceded by several different church structures for the St. John Catholic Church community dating back to 1789 when four acres were donated to the Catholic community for a cemetery and a church.

However, in those days, the church property was not in Westminster. It was in an outlying area which was laid out in 1812 as the town of “Bedford.” The town of Bedford comprised the area between Main and Green Streets, from where Longwell Avenue is now, to near where Bond Street currently exists.

On the other side of Main Street was the “Town of Winter’s Addition to Westminster,” which was recorded with the Frederick County clerk on December 5th, 1815 by John Winter and John Winter, Jr. It is the area between Main Street and Winter’s Alley.

At the time, Westminster, then “Winchester,” laid out in 1764,- was comprised of King’s Street (now Main Street) from Manchester Road to Court Street.

In between the town of Bedford and “Winchester,”, was the competing town of “New London,” which was laid out in 1765 by Captain John White.

New London included that area along King’s Street from Court Street to Longwell Avenue. On February 5th, 1819, “Westminster,” and the first annexation of the town, in 1788, of the area along Green Street from Washington Road to Church Street, plus “Winter’s Addition” and “New London” were incorporated as Westminster by the Maryland General Assembly.

“Bedford” was not a part of Westminster until a re-incorporation occurred in 1830 and the town expanded as far as “The Forks” where Pennsylvania Avenue begins at West Main Street. The area at “The Forks” and beyond was a rival thriving business area, parts of which were known as “Pigstown,” “Fanny’s Meadow” and “Logsdon Tavern.”

In those days St. John Catholic Church was a mission church of the Conewago, Pennsylvania parish. It soon became parish mission of Taneytown’s St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Construction began of the last of several church structures in 1865 (four years after the railroad arrived). On Thursday, June 19, 1952 at 4:45 in the afternoon, the steeple of that church was destroyed by a tornado and the church damaged. In 1968 the building was deemed unusable. In 1972, a new church was built on Monroe Avenue and the Main Street property remained unused until March 1980 when the current 40,000-square-foot library facility opened with a chilly parade – of sorts.

It was a “book parade” which followed the tradition of how the books were moved by schoolchildren from the old Westminster High School at Green and Center Streets to the then-new Westminster High School on Longwell Avenue on an equally cold Monday afternoon on November 23rd, 1936.

This time it was a cold Saturday morning when, according to published accounts, about 500 citizens hand-carried 60,000 books and other library items from the Davis Library building at 129 East Main Street to the new building.

The roots of the library in Westminster began during the Civil War, in 1863, at the other end of town, the Odd Fellows Hall, now known as the Opera House Printing Company at 140 East Main Street.

For now, bookmark this introduction until next week’s chapter.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at:
kdayhoff at carr.org
####

20070627 Davis Library part 1

Carroll County Public Library, Dayhoff Art writing essays and articles, Dayhoff Media Westminster Eagle, History Westminster, Westminster Scrapbook Davis Library