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The original Frankfort Library was established in 1892, from
a trust fund of $20,000., given by Florence M. Cushing
of Boston,
Massachusetts in memory of her grandfather, Waldo T. Peirce,
one of Frankfort's early settlers. It
was located on the Loggin
Road across from what is presently the Brassbridge house and on
the site of the old
Frankfort Post Office. This building, given
by Sarah Peirce, housed one thousand volumes. It was furnished
with
adequate tables, chairs, and lighting facilities, in addition to
a Franklin fireplace and other wood stoves which provided
the
reader with a comfortable environment. As far as we know today,
the first and only librarian to work in the
original library office
was Maude Averill. She resided at the Corner's place just beyond
the Ide Farm and from
there walked faithfully to her job-
which brought her the salary of $3.00 per week. This original
library was
unfortunately destroyed by fire.
The present library building-called the Waldo Peirce Reading
Room was
built by Col. Robert Treat. It was first sold to Evelyn
Whitehouse of Augusta. Evelyn Whitehouse in turn deeded it to
Hayward Peirce of Frankfort, May 16, 1907, for $1,600.
Peirce then sold it to the Waldo Peirce Reading Room Assoc-
iation for $1,600. This deed was dated January 11, 1911.
The main purpose of the fund was to install and
maintain a
library for the residents, but the fund also was used to drill an
86 foot artesian well on the present
library site, to provide
good drinking water for the community, and to create a dental
clinic for the school children.
The earliest record found was of a meeting held on November 3,
1927. The library board members in attendance
were as
follows:
Mrs. Ruth Webber (President)
Miss Jane Roberts
B. Freeman Grant
Herbert
L. dark
Ida Tait (Librarian)
If not for the fact that the earliest library records were
destroyed
in the fire which burned the original building, we
would today, no doubt, be able to obtain information about
meetings
previous to the one in 1927.
Each month the library board has a meeting to discuss its
general condition,
finances, possible improvements, etc.
RECENT HISTORY
In recent years we have improved our
facilities & equipment
by adding the following:
Hot water furnace
New well
Computer and printer
Copier
Fax machine
Improved access
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