A Brief History

Windsor Public Library began in 1888. The key players in its creation were Miss Martha S. Clapp and Mr. H.E. Sawyer, who was the principal of the Public High School at the time. One hundred and fifty people joined with them and chipped in one dollar each to start the library. The first meeting of the subscribers was held in February of 1888, in the high school room, where the "Windsor Library Association" was formed and a committee of five was elected to manage its affairs.
The following April, in 1889, the library opened its doors to the public. It was first located in the office of the Judge of Probate in the Windsor Town Hall. This was the library's home until 1895, when it was moved to the Academy building on the northeast corner of Broad Street Green. The efforts of local churches helped maintain the library there until 1901, when the Library Association purchased the old homestead of the late General Frederick Ellsworth Mather, which was built by Colonel Oliver Mather in 1777, at the northwest corner of the Green. The library has remained here since.

-from A New History of Old Windsor, Connecticut, by Daniel Howard, 1935.

 

Windsor Library Association

In 1888, a group of interested Windsor citizens gathered to discuss the need for a permanent and effective library for the Town of Windsor. Seven years later, in 1895, the library was officially recognized as the Windsor Free Public Library, and its early founders were incorporated as the Windsor Library Association, in 1901.

Although currently the day to day operations of the library are financed by the Town of Windsor, the Windsor Library Association continues to support and enhance the programs and services of Windsor's libraries.  Each year the Windsor Library Association coordinates a fund-raising drive that brings in thousands of dollars for the benefit of the library and its operations. We are forever thankful to our Association for their efforts.

Officers for 2011 - 2012:

President:   David Furie

Vice President: Susan Kirschner-Robinson

Secretary:  Susan Huleatt

Treasurer:  Al Bertoline

Assistant Treasurer:  Heidi Kelsey

Fund Raising Co-Chair: Betty Hellerman and Amy Roebelen

 

Windsor Library Advisory Board

The Windsor Library Advisory Board is comprised of nine adult members and two students who are appointed by the Town Council to review library policies and help with library programs. Board members are appointed for three year terms, except students, who serve for two years.  Members currently serving on the board are:

 

Cheryl Curtis

Nellie Holmes Mason

Mary Ann Overbaugh 

David Raney 

Michael Raphael (Chair)

LeighAnn Tyson

Frank Stewart

Betty Hellerman

Linnea Gilbert