Celebrating 40th Anniversary
of Service
1965 - 1966
Private donors for the new library included the Pownal Fire and Protection Association and Auxiliary, Pownal Tanning Company, Cleveland Dodge Foundation, Northeast Wood PRoducts, Mrs. Solomon Wright, Mr & Mrs. Peter Case, and Williard B. Wright, along with many other town citizens pledging contributions that helped the trustees build a library with no local tax dollars! Library trustees in 1965 were Henry Bassen, Donald Rogers, Gladys Smith, Thomas HUrley and Dorothy Pudvar.
Architects for the building were Edward Baker and associate William M. Kirby, Jr., with the contract to build awarded to Northeast Wood Products of Pownal. The 40 foot by 50 foot Colonial style brick veneer building was named the Solomon Wright Public Library in memory of Solomon Wright, Jr. "whose lifetime support and bequest was the basis for the new structure". Groundbreaking took place August 1965. In January 1966 five thousand books and equipment were moved across the street by members of Boy Scout Troop 347 while library trustees and staff packed, organized and shelved materials. Dedication of the facility and Open House was held on April 17, 1966 with Mrs. Solomon Wright, Jr. cutting the ribbon.
