Buck Memorial Library - Bucksport, Maine
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 44° 34.290 W 068° 47.514
19T E 516523 N 4935372
Buck Memorial Library is in a well preserved Blue Hill granite, lined with brick historic building. Located at 47 Main Street in downtown Bucksport. The library celebrated its 125th year in 2012.
Waymark Code: WMPTAQ
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 10/17/2015
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Klokani
Views: 2
Download this waymark:
.GPX File
.LOC File
.KML File (Google Earth)

The Buck Memorial Library is in an architecturally distinguished Gothic Revival stone structure designed by George A. Clough and built in 1887 and was donated in the memory of Richard Pike Buck by his wife Charlotte, and his daughter Emeline.

The library offers a wide range of reading materials, computer access and friendly staff to assist with research and general library inquires.
Bucksport Library An early account of the affairs of Bucksport (then called Buckstown) reads "as far back as 1806 certain of the leading men of the town resolved to purchase a library." Their object was thus expressed, "To excite a fondness for books, to afford the most rational and profitable amusement, to prevent idleness and immorality, and to promote the diffusion of useful knowledge, piety and virtue at an expense which small pecuniary abilities can afford, we are induced to associate for the above purpose."

In a short time a liberal sum amounting to $95.50 was subscribed for this object and the act of incorporation was passed March 8, 1806. The books were purchased from Thomas Whipple of Boston, Mass. by a specially appointed committee, included several sets of sermons, other books on religion and on philosophy, a few histories, books on "education of females" and of children, sacred dramas but only one or two books of fiction; it being the prevailing idea of those times that the reading of novels was a waste of time, and in the opinion of many, was slightly immoral.

For more than sixty years of its efficient service this library led a nomad’s life, being housed first in one store on Main Street then in another, until it finally found a permanent abiding-place in a small building located in a lane leading off of the north side of Main Street, at about a quarter of the distance between Central and Elm Streets (at date the building is used as an icehouse by Bolin’s Market). Here the library remained until 1887.

By the late 1880’s a larger building was needed to accommodate the approximately 1500 volumes belonging to the Bucksport Social Library.

Mr. Richard Pike Buck, a successful New York business man, who was a grandson of Colonel Jonathan Buck, founder of Bucksport, had many times expressed a great interest in establishing a library building in his native town and endowing it; but his death occurred before he had carried out his plans, and no provision was made in his will relative to them. His wife, Mrs. Charlotte Spofford Buck, and daughter, Miss Emeline Buck, understanding well the desires and wishes of Mr. Buck, undertook to carry them out – the result being the erection of the present attractive Buck Memorial Library building – located on Main Street at foot of School Street – at an approximate cost of $20,000.

This building, 60 ft. by 20 ft., was constructed of Blue Hill granite, lined with brick. It was especially appropriate for a Buck memorial that the interior wood finish which was of hard pine, was supplied from mills in South Carolina belonging to descendants of Bucksport’s founder, and was particularly selected for beauty of grain.

The stone walls enclosed an entrance hall or lobby with an anteroom in the rear. The main or “charging room” occupied the west wing of the building, and a well-lighted reading room was in the east side. Each of these rooms was fitted with an open fireplace. Below, a spacious basement housed the furnace. The second floor provided ample storage space, which later was equipped with shelves.

Installed above the mantel in the main room was a plaque inscribed, “This building as erected to the memory of Richard P. Buck, by an affectionate wife and daughter. A.D. 1887.”

On October 17, 1887 this building with its appurtenances was deeded to the following named trustees, “Sewall B. Swazey, Oscar P. Cunningham, Nahum T. Hill, Parker Spofford, Alfred L. Skinner, George R. Blodget, Richard B. Stover to have and to hold the same for the use of the people of Bucksport.”
Government of Bucksport
Classification of Library: Public Library (Open to all)

Internet access available: Yes - Library Terminal: Register with Library Clerk to use

Additional Internet Connection Options:
DSL on 2 computers. Sign-up must be done at location. A half hour if someone else is waiting, longer if not.

Hours of Operation:
Library Hours Monday to Friday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m. to 12 noon Childrens' Storytime Wednesday - 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Approximate date of opening.: 01/01/1887

Library Website: [Web Link]
Visit Instructions:

As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.

Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Libraries
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet.