The birthday cake waits to be cut on 1/31/26 during the 153rd birthday celebration of the Millicent Llibrary’s namesake, Millicent Rogers, the daughter of Henry Huttleston Rogers, who donated the library to the Town of Fairhaven in 1893. Photo courtesy of Kathy Lopes, Trustees President.
By Beth David, Editor
The Millicent Library in Fairhaven held a 153rd birthday party on Saturday, 1/31/26, for namesake, Millicent “Millie” Rogers. Town benefactor Henry Huttleston Rogers donated the building to the town in 1893 as a memorial to his daughter who passed away when she was 17.
The library also kicked off a capital campaign to install a modern HVAC system in the building. The library has had to close down more frequently in the summer due to high heat. Not only is it a problem for staff, but the collection is also damaged by high heat.
Robert Kenworthy, the treasurer of the Library Trustees, said that the organization is actively pursuing different revenue sources for the project. The state has included $1 million in the bond bill for the project, but it is unclear when the money will be available. The $2.5 million project has required a lot of preparatory work, and the Millicent has been working on various aspects of the project.
The trustees used library funds to replace the boiler, which needed “Band-aids every month,” said according to Kathy Lopes, President of the Trustees.
Replacing the actual units in the building and associated work will cost about $1.6 million, and that is the focus right now.
The library has also asked for Community Preservation Act funds.
Ms. Lopes said they will do their best to maintain the history and the integrity of the building. The work itself will not be disruptive to library operations.
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- L-R: Rob Frates takes a piece of cake from Meredith Smith, trustee, while trustee Pam Kuechler looks on, during the 153rd birthday celebration of the Millicent Llibrary’s namesake, Millicent Rogers, the daughter of Henry Huttleston Rogers, who donated the library to the Town of Fairhaven in 1893. Photo by Beth David..
Rob Frates, who lives in the neighborhood, enjoyed some free cake and noted his father, Arthur Frates, was a big supporter of the library. He even has a bench out front dedicated to him.
“He donated a lot of things,” said Mr. Frates.
John Murphy also joined the party for some cake.
“I’d like to see the library get what they need,” he said.
Mr. Kenworthy noted that he has talked to parents who grew up using the children’s room and now take their children.
“It’s such a quality, quality thing we have in town,” said Mr. Kenworthy.
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- Millicent Library Trustees gather for a photo on 1/31/26 during the 153rd birthday celebration of the library’s namesake, Millicent Rogers, the daughter of Henry Huttleston Rogers, who donated the library to the Town of Fairhaven in 1893, L-R: Kathleen Clement, Abigail Hevey, Meredith Smith, Robert Kenworthy (treasurer), Natalie Mello (ex-officio, Select Board representative), Max Isaksen, Kyle DeCicco-Cary (Secretary, library Director). Photo courtesy of Kathy Lopes, Trustees President.
The library is a 501C3, not a Town of Fairhaven department. Staff are employees of the library, not the town. The town funds the library according to a formula set by the state and based on population. It is important, according to library officials, for Fairhaven residents to turn in their local census forms, as money from the state is based on that information. All donations are tax deductible.
Patrons of the library may buy a paper snowflake or star for $5 or $20 to support the cause, and it will be placed in the window with their name on it.
Donate online at https://givebutter.com/MillicentLibrary.
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