Church Was Ludlow's First Free Library

Ludlow’s first free library opened its doors in 1892.  Known as the Florence Memorial Library, it occupied about 20 percent of the first floor of the United Church of Ludlow building.  The library was accessed by two outside doors, one of which has since been replaced by a window.  The furnishings of the library were donated by James S. Gill and his wife Rachel, of Ludlow and Boston, in memory of their daughter Florence.  Originally a public library, free and open to local citizens, it was closed after the Fletcher Memorial Library was opened in 1900. A plaque over the original fireplace in the library still commemorates the Gill’s gift to the community.

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This and other features of the United Church will be open to the public during the Church’s Happy Birthday celebration (220th for the Church’s founding and 120th for the building) on May 5 from 3 to 5 pm (followed by a scrumptious dinner) and on May 6 from 2 to 4 (concurrently with a free ice cream social).

Mark your calendars for these special events.  Additional information is available from Bob Kottkamp at 228-6282.