History

Gordon-Nash Library came to New Hampton through the generosity of the late Stephen Gordon Nash of Boston. The library first opened to the public in 1896 with Rev. Lewis P. Bickford serving as librarian. It was formally opened to the public, with interesting and appropriate ceremonies, June 25th, 1906. A volume entitled “New Hampton,” published shortly after that event, contains the dedicatory addresses, a poem by Mrs. Nash, and much valuable information concerning the inception and the carrying out of the far-reaching plans of the donor. The records of the corporation, also, preserve important historical matter, as well as facts of much interest concerning the later development of the library.

From the organization of the library to the present time, (1911), the funds of the corporation have been in charge of a personal friend and trusted advisor of Judge Nash, as treasurer, Smauel G. Davis, Esq., of Boston. With great wisdom, Mr. Davis has invested and cared for the monetary interests intrusted to him, as carefully as though they were his own, so handling them that the income from invested funds has constantly increased, although at no time has he jeopardized the principal.

Every year valuable additions of new books have been made. In 1903, about $1,400 worth were purchased. For the past ten years, these have been chiefly selected by Mr. Henry W. Brown of the executive committee. Today, the total number of books available in the library is upwards of 15,000, besides numerous magazine files, pamphlets, books of reference, etc. Mr. Moses H. Merrow has acted as local treasurer since 1895.