~ Fletcher Memorial Library ~ A Brief History & A Few Pictures ~
Photo Credits: Jenna Brisson Photography & Jill Tofferi
Our History:
FML is not a Ludlow Municipal Department. Rather, the library was built and given to the town to serve as a free library for the residents of Ludlow and Cavendish by Governor Allen M. Fletcher. We have happily expanded our free service area to include Mount Holly and Plymouth.
We are an IRS 501 (c) 3 organization governed by a Board of Trustees.
Your support is tax deductible.
Many thanks go out to the Ludlow Municipality and departments for their support of the library with plowing, mowing, and trash removal, and to the taxpayers who continue to support the library with annual funding. You are an integral part of our success!
In 1894, Allen M. Fletcher, the youngest son of Stoughton Fletcher, purchased the property that would become the future site of the Fletcher Memorial Library. Mr. Fletcher announced the plans to build a library as a memorial to his father, Stoughton , on July 7, 1899. S. F. Page of Boston was commissioned to draw up the architectural plans and J. H. Rogers of Middlebury was named General Contractor. The actual construction of the library began on September 14, 1899.
The Library, scheduled to open in October of 1900, purchased 6,000 books from G. P. Putnam of New York in July of that year. However, the opening was delayed until November 1, 1901 due to the replacement of marble that did not meet specifications.
The building has long been recognized as an architectural gem, "the style being that of later English Renaissance", as quoted in the 11/1/1901 Dedication booklet*. The main Library entrance is a free adaptation of the Winchester School in Winchester, England. The exterior is red brick, trimmed with accents of Bedford limestone on a base of Medford granite. Step inside and enter into another century: be welcomed by our Italian marble walls, Italian Cosmatesque inlaid marble entry ceiling and floors leading into the main library, our marble spiral staircase to the basement and our Vermont marble circulation counter. Caen stone carvings are mounted in our Reading Rooms above each fireplace; one cut to represent the Fletcher Family Coat of Arms and the other the Vermont State Seal. The interior is further complemented with gracefully paneled Michigan Oak walls in our reading rooms. (Caen stone was imported from France)
A Children's Wing was added to the Library in 1964 to serve the growing needs of that age group and support school needs. The addition was funded through the generosity of Fanny Fletcher, Allen's sister, and committee fund raising.
The interior of the library was repainted in 1999 with Gold "Dutch Metal" added to highlight the "roped" ceilings. The material was donated by the painter - Larry Beaudry. In 2004 our major Renovation Project was completed and encompassed a rear entrance (never had one) with a ramp, an interior lift and new bathroom all to meet ADA Standards. A totally renovated basement enable us to create a Community Room, a Historical Room, and a Kitchen as community meeting space available during open or closed library hours. The Renovation Project was in celebration of our first century of service to the communities we serve. As quoted by Governor Stickney on the occasion of the library's dedication in 1901, "Fletcher Memorial Library is truly a jewel within our community*".
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Update:
Since 2004 through community donations and successful grant-writing, FML has been able to resurface our rear parking lot, a perimeter drain system was installed, construct new support for and reset the main entrance granite stairs and lastly two new furnaces were installed. (one for steam heat and the other baseboard hot water). Main library level had all carpeting replaced 2022.
