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History of Newport, Vermont's Goodrich Memorial Library

The first library, established in the town of Newport, was originated by Dr. John M. Currier in 1862. His plan for a circulating library originated by having each member take two dollars worth of stock and allowing stockholders to pay for their shares in books. Some of the books belonging to the first library passed down through all the later organizations and are now found in the Goodrich library.

Plans for the present library were mapped out in 1896, when the late C. G. Goodrich and his wife made provisions that they would leave a piece of property to construct and maintain a free public library in Newport. The land was worth $6,000 and was perfectly located on the Sherman lot on Main St.

Building commenced in the spring of 1898 on an edifice of brick with stone trimmings. The building, which provided for book space, two public reading rooms and a librarian's room downstairs, ample basement room, second-floor art room, trustees room, conversation room, and assembly hall to be used for educational purposes, cost $20,000. Fifteen thousand volumes were to stocked when the building was completed, in case of the death of Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich before the beginning of the library. It was established that a generous fund go to the trustees for the upkeep of the library.

Mr. Goodrich arrived in Vermont from New Hampshire when he was 11. He was born in 1820, educated in Wolcott and Albany, Vermont. He was a school teacher and a farmer before coming to Newport as a merchant. During his residence of over 45 years, he held several public positions, serving as constable, collector of taxes, and superintendent of schools for the town. He was also a justice of the peace for over 35 years. The late Mrs. Goodrich, was also active in civic events.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich passed away before the library was dedicated on September 1, 1899. The building, furnishings, books, etc. (including the services of Miss Mary L. Titcomb of Rutland, Vt., secretary of the state library commission, who classified and catalogued the books), cost nearly $33,000 and there remained close to $32,000 for an endowment fund to maintain the library in good condition for many years to come.

According to a report of the first Librarian, Miss Lizzie M. Sargent, the library actually opened with an inventory of about 6,500 books. Presently, there are over 10,000 books, including some rare volumes, among them Vermont historical works given by the late Andrew Zabriskie. On occasion the library has received small endowments. Among the contributors have been J. H. Kirkpatrick, Dr. J. H. Gaines, the W. W. True estate, and the Fred Blake memorial. Maintenance of the library is maintained by the above, by the revisions of the donor, and the yearly appropriations of the Town and City of Newport. Many memorial books and books donated by area residents have increased the collection. The author of this website donated many books over the years.

The finest materials were used throughout the library. Fireplaces fashioned out of fancy colored brick, rooms finished in red birch, Georgia pine, cypress, native spruce, Swanton marble, with furnishings in quartered oak, all contribute to the decor of the grand building.

Proceed to the upstairs hall which contains the D. W. Hildreth museum collection of birds and animals. Several paintings by the late Sidney Slie are on display in the art room, and masterpieces of art are shown by courtesy of benefactors. The Grand Army flag was a gift of the Baxter post.

The first board of library trustees (chosen by Mr.Goodrich) consisted of Elisha Lane, Charles A. Prouty and C. H. Brady. Succeeding Miss Sargent, who served as librarian for 30 years, was her assistant, the late Mrs. Ralph Mosher who served from 1930 to 1942. Miss Laura Stone devotedly served in that position from then until the fall of 1967 when she moved to California, and was succeeded by Mrs. Calvin Knowlton. Trustees, Mr. Robert W. Davis, Mr.Gordon McKenny, and Mrs. Edwin Gage completed a renovation program which included much-needed work in the basement, and complete remodeling of the stack room. This had been done in beautiful shades of green, with wall-to-wall carpeting, and modern bookshelves replaced the old iron ones. This large room has been made more accessible to the public by rearrangement of other facilities.

The story of the library is not too different from the average institution of the type. The books are cared for year after year. One of the darker moments of the library was during the depression, when stock invested by Mr. Goodrich was rendered worthless in the bank crash. In 1933 a thief broke into the museum and departed with most of the gold coin collection which was given the library by Judge Riley Wright. The thief later served his term in prison. 

The Goodrich Memorial Library continues to add a touch of charm to Newport City's Main Street. A fitting monument to days gone by. The library was recently remodeled and looks fantastic.