History of the Seneca Falls Library

Library's history dates to 1839
Current building is the latest in a series of sites

The interest in satisfying the reading tastes of local residents goes back to not long after the village was settled.

A program from the 60th anniversary celebration of the Library includes an 1839 scene of the "Young Men's Library Association." Little is known of the success or failure of that effort, but the American Reveille issue of March 3, 1856, noted that establishment of a public library was being proposed by "our Irish citizens" who had "taken hold with a commendable zeal, and that all that is necessary to carry the plan into effect, is the cooperation of all citizens." Further, "It is not proposed that the library shall be anything like a sectarian affair, but that is designed for the general use of the public, consisting of select historical, and choice miscellaneous works."

A meeting was called at Concert Hall "to complete an organization and to elect seven Trustees, for the management of the proposed Library. Let there be a full attendance. It is a matter in which all are equally interested."

Whether the effort came to fruition is not chronicled in the Seneca Falls Historical Society microfilmed newspaper record, and next mention of a library appears in the Reveille of Jan. 25, 1884, noting that a new circulating library had opened "in Maurer & Carpenter's drug and book store and now is in working order", with the comment that "the advantages and benefits of which may be enjoyed for a trifling sum." The large proportion of volumes, the account adds, "are works of fiction, history, travel, biography."

A flowery apologia for the collection, particularly of its "novels and romances of a better sort - and no circulating library should have any other", is concluded by the observation that "If people would give more attention to good books, their minds and morals would be improved."

The 60th anniversary program also included a skit "The opening of the Seneca Falls Library" in a room in the Phoenix Block in 1888, followed by another of reorganization in 1891.

The Jan. 12, 1897, Reveille chronicles an impending move of the Seneca Falls Library from the Exchange National Bank Building to the home of Mrs. James H. Gould in Terrace Row, noting that the trustees had accepted a three-year lease with renewal privilege, and that "carpenters are now engaged in putting up the shelves for the books in some of the lower rooms" with the move from the bank building to begin the following week.

Growth and continuing change at the Library again are reported in the Reveille of Feb. 22, 1901, when a popular shift took the institution from "contributing" to "free", bringing "its benefits within the reach of the entire community." Librarian Miss Ellen Wickes reported a "remarkable increase in the volumes issued", of more than 12,000 across a two-year period. She further noted that 379 volumes had been added to the collection in the past year along with "very many new magazines and periodicals." The newspaper noted that "The young people of the community are very generally availing themselves of the benefits of the library, and the tendency is naturally toward more substantial and more useful reading." After noting other advantages such as arrangement, accessibility, location and management, the article concludes with the comment "and with more generous encouragement of the community, it will ultimately become a source of pride and satisfaction to all our people."

The sale of the Gould house in 1903 forced another move on the library, with its relocation to the 20th Century Building just west of the Hoag House (which stood on the site of the Gould Hotel) on Fall Street, close to the center of the business district. Applauded by the Reveille as a more central location, "well-lighted, easy of access," the change would "doubtless prove satisfactory." The editor, long a Library supporter, couldn't resist a gentle plug for "the ladies in charge who have worked hard to make the library a success"; and for a more generous financial support, noting "It costs money to maintain it, however, and there should be a more liberal bestowal of money by those who use the books. A small sum from each would suffice to pay the running expenses and give a surplus with which to purchase new books."

A year later, the Library made the significant shift from being a tenant to owning its own building through the munificent gift of Hannah E. and Wilhelmus Mynderse of New York, who purchased the Sidney L. Monroe house and property at 31 Fall Street for the then considerable sum of $4,250 and deeded it to the Association. Recorded in the Seneca County Book of Deeds No. 122, Page 319, the transfer took place Oct. 23, 1904, as extending from Fall St. north to the Dey Race south, bordered on the east by Trinity Episcopal Church and on the west by property of Mrs. Anna Lawless.

Reporting the beneficence in its Oct. 21, 1904 edition, the Reveille stated: "The location is an admirable one and the house can be readily converted into a suitable and proper home for the Library. The announcement that Mr. Mynderse had thus provided for the future needs of the society was received with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction by all of our people. The gift will be held in perpetual and pleasing remembrance."

Little could be found concerning the adaptation of the property, which included a barn, to library use, but the far-seeing Mr. Mynderse, bearing fond memories of his native Seneca Falls, made another ample provision for the Library's future when he included $5,000 in his will in his vision for a building created specifically for library use. The bequest, reported the Reveille, "will safely and sacredly invested until it shall reach a sum sufficient to erect a building commensurate with the needs of the society, and in accordance with the clearly expressed wish of Mr. Mynderse." Added to that sum, the newspaper recorded, was another bequest of $500 from the estate of Eliza A. Pollard.

The house, which had been built some 54 years earlier and first had been the home of the late Ebenezer Ingalls, served the Library and community well through the next 11 years, both as the Seneca Falls Library and from 1906 as the Mynderse Library, so named in appreciation of the Mynderse gifts. However, the property was damaged during the 1913-16 reconstruction of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, as was the Trinity Episcopal Church property next door.

In an article of April 28, 1915, the Reveille noted that the property had been valued at $15,000 to $20,000, and bewailed the State's appropriation of both church and library property. "It seems like cruel fate for the State to deprive the village of both church and library without offering anything in the way of return without even a suggestion of relief for the wanton manner in which this valuable property is sacrificed," it trumpeted.

Apparently, the State heard and heeded the lament, for a subsequent article in the newspaper, dated the following June 11, reported, "It seems to be conceded that the State, in the construction of the new barge canal, will not despoil Mynderse Library." An October notification from the State made it official, stating that the Library lands are "no longer necessary for canal purposes ... excepting, reserving and forever retaining the perpetual right and easement to flood said lands or any part thereof for canal purposes."

This picture postcard from about 1918 shows the then-new Mynderse Library (right) and the Trinity Episcopal Church (left).

With the State also recognizing its responsibility for the damage to the property, the Library would receive a check for $10,844 the following February. "With this sum and such other means as the Library has on hand," reported the Reveille of Feb. 4, 1916, a new and handsome building will be erected for its use." I. Edgar Hill of Geneva would be the architect and construction proposals "will probably be invited before the close of another week." The new building, 63 feet by 36 feet, was to be completed before the close for the year at a cost of $12,000, the contractors to be Charles Deffendorf of Auburn, William Sattler of Geneva, Story & Strong of Seneca Falls, and E.C. Sackett & Co. of Rochester.

The cornerstone was laid as August closed, and included a metal box with Seneca Falls memorabilia including history, portraits of both Col. Wilhelmus Mynderse and his son, Wilhelmus Mynderse, the largest patron. Fred L. Story, president of the Library Board of Trustees, placed the box.

The informal opening for visitation and inspection would be May 25, 1917, the structure completed and furnished under the direction of association members Mr. Story, Ajah R. Palmer and Wilmot P. Elwell. It was, reported the newspaper, "a credit to all concerned ... Nothing has been omitted to make it a model of its kind."

The two-story brick building built in 1917 served the village well for many decades, but in the 1990s it became obvious to all involved that the library needed more space, greater handicapped accessibility and the ability to serve the changing needs of its patrons. It was determined that the existing building could not be expanded to meet the new needs and work began to locate a new site and raise the funds to build a new building.

Thanks to a donation of $86,000 from the Seneca Falls Town Board, Mynderse Library was able to purchase a 1.5 acre parcel located at 47 Cayuga Street. A community fund raising campaign assisted by state grants obtained by state Sen. Michael F. Nozzolio, a Seneca Falls native, raised the $3 million needed to construct the new building and start an endowment fund to ensure the library's future.

Ground was broken for the new library on May 24, 2002, and the new building was dedicated on Nov. 22, 2003.

Designed by Architect Larry Liberatore, a Seneca Falls native, of Beardsley Design Associates, the building is single-story with a mezzanine ensuring much needed space - 11,800 square feet (more than double the former library capacity of 4,000 square feet), situated in the heart of the historic district.

The design enables the library to fulfill its traditional role in the community and technologically adapt to future needs of its patrons. The new library's exterior is designed to blend with the historic neighborhood. The building also is completely handicapped accessible.

At the time of the dedication of the new building, the Board of Trustees decided to change the library's name back to the Seneca Falls Library, while the building was named after Michael F. Nozzolio in recognition of his efforts to make the project possible.

Pictures taken during the library's construction also are available.

The new, larger facility better serves the more than 25,000 people who visit the library annually. The library collection includes general fiction, mysteries, westerns, science fiction, general non-fiction, biographies, and reference works. The library has successfully helped individuals discover a new pastime through reading, assisted children with completing school assignments, connected global researchers to the Internet with free access and united people with their heritage through the library's genealogy collection. The library also offers an extensive books-on-tape collection, and books with large print for people with vision impairments.

There is an extensive collection of children's and juvenile books. Annually, more than 2,800 children participate in library programs. Children's programs also expose children to library resources available and promote frequent use as children grow academically and personally.

The Seneca Falls Library is a member of Finger Lakes Library system and thus can offer access to resources beyond its own holdings through interlibrary loan. Books, video cassettes, data base searches, magazine photocopies, and books-on-cassette are all available upon request.

The Seneca Falls Library is a United Way Agency.

47 Cayuga St., Seneca Falls, NY 13148

315-568-8265 (phone), 315-568-1606 (fax)