This Day in History: 1949-12-17
Ceremonies marked the dedication of the new Winter Memorial Library building next to the Firehouse. Mrs. Winter outlined the history of the Library from the formation of the Bugg Memorial Library in 1916 through the assumption of leadership of the Library in 1920 by the Woman’s Club and its incorporation in 1929 as the Mahwah Free Public Library Association to the recent public referendum in 1946, turning it over to the Township. She said that her husband’s wish, that the Library housed in a modern fireproof had been made possible by money left in his will. David Hopper spoke of the contributions of the Winter family to the town. Mrs. A.J. Biggs, the Librarian, spoke of the many trials, which the Library has gone through and referred to the new radiantly heated building as “almost incredible”. She thanked Mrs. Winter for supplementing the original $ 340.000 bequest left in her huband’s will with the additional $25.000, needed to bring the new building into being. Architect Laurence Moon, presented the keys to Mrs. Winter, who in turn, gave them to the Chairman of the Township Committee Frank Scherer. He thanked the Garden Club for undertaking the planting and various donors, for furniture and the clock, given in memory of former Librarian, the late Helen North. Mrs. Janet Zimmerman, acting head of the New Jersey Bureau of Library Services, praised the new facility as one of the best small Libraries in the State. Community members toured the building. It was open for business on the 20th, 1949. (Bristow)