MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA HISTORY

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Picture: Farmington Church – Courtesy of Cedar County Historical Society
    The Free Will Baptist Church was located three miles northeast of Wilton. The Ladies Aid Society donated the money that started the Wilton Public Library.

Wilton Libraries
By Frances Frymoyer

“Reading Room”

Transcribed by Elizabeth Casillas, April 7, 2015

     “Y.M.C.U. Room No. 4 Bacon’s block, (upstairs). Open every day from 7 to 10 p.m.; every Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ladies invited to call at and enjoy the room on Fridays. Latest daily papers; also miscellaneous weeklies and monthlies and an excellent library. A cordial invitation is extended to all to accept the hospitalities of the room, free of charge.”

     The above notice appeared in the Wilton Exponent, local newspaper, on Jan. 21, 1876. The reading room was sponsored by the Young Men’s Christian Union. It was organized for the exclusive use of gentlemen. In the Jan. 7, 1876 newspaper the Union requested young ladies to visit the rooms and about 45 young women responded. As a result the rooms were open to ladies every Friday.

     On Aug. 31, 1876, the Wilton Review carried the following notice, “Circulating Library—Hollingsworth has established in connection with his stationery business, a library composed of standard works by the best writers of the day. Terms 19 cents per week.”

     Soon after organizing in 1895 the Wilton Women’s Club started a …

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Picture: Interior of Wilton Library – 1876 – Courtesy of Iva Lillge

…public library on a modest budget. It was run by donated time from the ladies. This library did not last very long as there were not enough folk to supervise it. The books were to be divided between the Wilton College and the Public School, but the college closed so all the books went to the Wilton Public School.

     Over the years the various churches had their own libraries. In the early days they were usually Sunday school libraries. In recent times they have been for adults.

     In the spring of 1934 the Ladies Aid Society of the former Farmington Church, located 3 miles northeast of Wilton, offered the $407.23 in their treasury to the N. N. Club to be used for a library in Wilton. Miss Lela Badger, who belonged to both organizations, suggested that the money be used to borrow books from the Iowa Traveling Library. The club decided that the library should be established on a more permanent basis and that it should be a community project. Therefore, letters were sent to all groups in the Wilton area who might be interested, inviting them to help form a library.

     A meeting was held Sept. 14, 1934 at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Milt Harding at which time representatives were present from the Progressive club, the Country Club of the Trinity community, the Woman’s Club, the N.N.C. club, the Lions Club, the churches and other groups, as well as individuals who were interested. At the third meeting of this group it was decided to form a library association. One dollar was to be the charge for a 1-year membership. Rev. Newgard was elected treasurer; an office which he faithfully filled for many years.

     The charter members met at the school house on Nov. 2, 1934, and elected the following board members: Judge Moriarty, Rev. Newgard, Mrs. Earl Whitmer, Mrs. E. V. Swanson, Mrs. Charles Kelley, Charles Kelley, E. D. Hinkhouse, Miss Lela Badger and Mrs. Curtis Frymoyer.

     The town council offered the library association free use of the …

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…council room and two small adjoining rooms with heat, light and the furniture then in the room. These rooms were on the second floor above the fire station in the old city hall. Mrs. Chas. Kelley, an experienced librarian, was hired.

     A large number of books were donated by local people and a few were purchased. With 1,000 books on the shelves the library opened for business in January 1935.

     The Wilton Library association succeeded because it was supported by the public. Various organizations gave yearly donations. Individuals made contributions. There were a few memorials. The city’s offer of space, heat, light and some furniture was very helpful. The rest of the income for the association came from local talent programs. In 1935 a “home grown” three day Chautauqua was held. In 1936 a 3 act play was produced. From 1937 through 1942 the Library Association held a one-act play contest that was entered by many local organizations.

     In 1938 plans were made for a new city hall and a room was especially designed for the Wilton Library. While the old building was being torn down and the new edifice was being built, Dr. and Mrs. Guy Leith donated the use of the ground floor of their office building on Cedar Street to the Library. Jan. 1940 saw the library established in its new quarters in the city hall.

     In September 1943, the library association board felt the mission of establishing a permanent library had been accomplished and the board offered to turn the library over to the city to become the Wilton Public Library, tax supported. This was done on May 31, 1944.

     In 1963 the Wilton Fire Dept. decided to build new quarters onto the city hall and to vacate their old area. As the library had outgrown its room, the board requested that the city allow them to renovate the vacated fire department space. Money was needed and a drive was conducted to raise the funds. An offer was made to the surrounding community that if everyone would contribute, the services of the library would be given free to all in the Wilton Community School District. This drive was successfully completed under the direction of Grayce Nicolaus, Elizabeth Martin and Marvella Ringgenberg. A room of beauty and charm was created with a book-laden balcony.

     In the 46 years of service there have been only three librarians: Mrs. Charles Kelley, Mrs. Leona Mead and Mrs. Donald Neipert.

     Mrs. Cora Jacobson followed Rev. Newgard as treasurer of the library association and became secretary of the board when the Public Library was formed. She has served the longest term of any individual thus far on the library board.

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    Remember when Mr. Bacon kept a huge wheel of cheese under a glass cover? He would cut off a sliver for a sample and a wedge shaped piece if a purchase was made.

    This page sponsored in honor of Wilton’s three librarians, Mrs. Charles Kelley, who established the library, Mrs. Leona Mead who spent 25 years building it and Mrs. Marjorie Neipert who is carrying on.