The library association in Coventry was formed in 1880. With help from a donation (requiring a matching sum from the town) from a wealthy California doctor, H. G. Cogswell, who had been cared for as a homeless 10-year-old by a woman from Coventry, the Library found a home in 1894 in a small former-Post Office building. The current library, known as the Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, was built in 1912-1913. Construction was funded by a bequest from Henry Dimock, a New York lawyer born in South Coventry, in memory of his grandfather, Rev. Chauncey Booth, minister of Coventry’s First Congregational Church, and of his father, Dr. Timothy Dimock. The old Greek Revival-style Thomas Clark Homestead, which had previously stood on the property, was torn down in 1911, amid much controversy, to make way for the new library. The Georgian Revival library building was designed by James M. Darrach of New York. A modern addition was constructed in 1987-1989, with a duplicate of the architecture of the old front facade being reproduced on the side of the building facing the expanded parking lot.
I recently came across an original program for the Dedication Exercises for the Booth and Dimock Memorial Library. I was wondering if anyone in So. coventry would be interested in having it.
My hysband’s uncle, Louis Phillips, was postmaster there at one time and lived in the Phillips homewhere we visitied frequently.
I may be contacted at 860 953-5195 or through my email. My husband’s mother came from Mansfield and I do have some other materials that someone might like I am not ssure whom to contact.
The original silk mill is out in Ford’s museum in Michigan.
I will look forward to your answer.
Natalie Phillips
77 Avery Hts. Hartford, CT. 06106
Natalie,
I am presently the president of the Board of Trustees of the Booth and Dimock Library. I would love to have, for future display, your original program for the Dedication Exercises for the Booth and Dimock Memorial Library. We are hoping to create a dedicated space in our library for local and state history, and it would be a wonderful addition for us.
Any additional materials would be treasured greatly.
If originals are no longer possible, if you could email any digitized copies, I would be grateful.
Thank you, Kathy
I have come across a postcard that was either made out to or from a Mrs. J A ( not to sure of the 1st letter ) Dimork. The postcard is of the Titanic. It has a postmark of May 17th 1912. I am just looking for information on to whom and from whom.
Thank You