By Beth David, Editor
The Millicent Library celebrated its 150th birthday and the 130th birthday of its namesake, Millicent Rogers, with some cake on Saturday, 2/4/23. The library opened on January 31, 1893, and the first books were checked out the next day.
An exhibit in the Rogers Room displays the first book checked out, and includes photos of a young Millicent Rogers, and other artifacts in the library’s history.
Millicent’s French poetry school book is in the collection. The inscription in the inside front cover is the only known surviving handwritten text by Millicent, who “wrote with humor,” according to the display: “He who steals this book of knowledge, will end his day in Sing Sig College.”
An original Millicent Library Card is also on display. It was the 1,854th card to be issued, was issued on February 18, 1893, and was issued to Sarah D. Holmes of New Bedford.
The first book checked out, “Memorials of a Quite Life” by Augustus J. C. Hare was taken out by Millicent’s grandmother, Mary Eldredge Huttleston, who also received the first library card issued by the Millicent.
The exhibit will be on display for the next several months. The library is at 45 Center Street, Fairhaven; hours are Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit https://millicentlibrary.org or call 508-992-5342, or email Millicent@SailsInc.org
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- This photogragh of Millicent Rogers (LEFT) with her sister, Mary, August 16, 1887, was created as a tintype, produced on a thin sheet of metal, and is part of the display at the Millicent Library. Photo by Beth David.
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- The French poetry school book belonging to Millicent Rogers, the namesake of the Millicent Library in Fairhaven, is on display in an exhibit at the library commemorating the 150th birthday of the library, and Millicent’s 130th birthday, Photo by Beth David.
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- A display of photographs and artifacts is set up in the Rogers Room at the Millicent Library in Fairhaven to commemorate the 150th birthday of the library and the 130th birthday of its namesake, Millicent Rogers. Photo by Beth David.
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- A birthday cake for the 150th birthday of the Millicent Library is ready for patrons to enjoy, while the cake for the 130th birthday of its namesake, Millicent Rogers, is partially eaten during a birthday celebration on 2/4/23. Submitted photo.
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Click here to download the 2/9/23 issue: 02-09-23 MillieBDay
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