1964 Memorial Library, Bellport, Long Island, New York

[LIB1592] The Bellport Library was organized in 1897, because of the foresight and enthusiasm of fourteen young women. This group had formed a few years earlier and called themselves the Entre Nous Club. They started to raise money for the library by sponsoring a reception at the home of one of its members Each member was to bring a book, and sixty books were collected that day, the nucleus of the Bellport library purposes. The first location of the library was in the Hulse home about where Wallens Market now stands. Later it was moved to a store on Bellport Lane. Miss Jennie Monsell was the first librarian.

A charming library building finally became a reality in 1923, having cost $8000. It was planned by Aymar Embury, 2nd, the architect of the East Hampton Library. It actually stands on the site of Captain Thomas Bell's apple orchard. In 1924 the library was registered under the New York State Board of Regents, receiving an annual money allotment from the state and other benefits. In 1926 the memorial tablet was dedicated. A portrait over the mantel was of Mrs. Mott. Early librarians included Miss Marion Young, Mrs. Charles Axtmann, Mrs. Lawrence Fuller and Mrs. Maxwell Small. [from the website, read more here]

1909 Manuscript Letter Signed By Henry V. Watkins Builder of the South Bay Scooter Gunning Punties, Sharpies, Oyster Tongs, Etc. Bellport, Long Island