The generosity of townspeople of the past keeps on giving to those of the present and future.
Thanks to the technology of today, some photos of one of the library’s benefactors are posted here for all to enjoy. They were sent to us via the library's Facebook page.
In 1836, Chester Robinson purchased the land on which The Green Free Library now sits. It was not until 1855 that he had what is now the central square portion of the existing building erected as his abode. He lived there until his death in 1890, upon which the property was left to his daughter.
Mary B. Robinson; known as “Miss Mazie”, engaged William Henry Miller, a noted architect from Ithaca, NY, to remodel the house. East and west wings were added to the original building, along with a formal garden in the rear. Miss Maize loved fireplaces, so a curve was added to the front of the building to accommodate one.
A sunroom was also built in the west wing. Longtime patrons remembered it being referred to as the Fan room because of the previous décor.
The east wing consisted of a portcochere and a formal dining room. The dining room was furnished with a large mahogany sideboard, and all of the woodwork was done in mahogany. A Tiffany window remains, and is thought to have been modeled after the view that Miss Mazie saw from that position of her formal gardens.
By 1910 the citizens of Wellsboro, PA, recognized the need for a public library. They established an organization to raise necessary funds.
Charles S. Green, a wealthy lumberman from Roaring Branch, bequeathed the large sum of $50,000 for the incorporation of a Green Free Library in 1911.
Mary Robinson died in 1913 and left her property to her life-long companion, Miss Elizabeth Walbridge. Miss Walbridge died shortly after and the property passed to Chester Converse, Mary’s nephew. The will stipulated that upon his death the house and grounds would be given to the trustees off The Green Free Library.
In 1915 The Green Free Library opened in its temporary quarters in a vacant storefront at 97 Main Street, Wellsboro. For whatever reasons, Chester Robinson decided to deed his interest in the property he had inherited to the trustees in 1916, for the paltry sum of $3,000.
The Green Free Library moved to that location and opened in 1917. Additional remodeling was necessary in 1963, with the addition of a large wing on the northwest side of the library, which is now the main reading room. The original building has been kept intact with only minor repairs and cosmetic work.
It is located near The Green in Wellsboro, where the famous fountain of Wynken, Blynken and Nod sits.
The majority of this post has been previously posted in suite101.com by the author.
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