1905 Public Library, Canton, Massachusetts

[LIB8020] - By 1898 the Library held some 9100 volumes, circulating 19,073 volumes to borrowers. Patrons of the library were allowed a second library card to borrow non-fiction titles. The library was open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. The town's population was 4,636.

The present building and grounds were bequested to the Town of Canton by Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Hemenway Canton philanthropists in 1901 "in consideration of [the] desire to promote the study of Science, Literature and Art in the Town of Canton, and for other good and valuable considerations...". Designed after the "Harvard" or "Old English bond" style it was built by architects Winslow and Bigelow for $70,000. On July 6, 1902, its doors were opened to the public. [Website]

The postcard is addressed to Miss Shirley M. King, of Topeka, Kansas. It was sent by Mattie or Hattie? The card was published by E. C. Britton, Canton, Massachusetts.