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By Laura Troy, November 12, 2007 | |
| | | 1. Portsmouth Public Library Marker | | |
Inscription. The Portsmouth Public Library was established in 1914 primarily due to efforts of the Students Club. The first library was housed in the annex behind the 1846 Courthouse and most of the original collection was donated from the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the YMCA. The first librarian was Mrs. Esther Murdaugh Wilson. An African-American Community Library was established in 1945 with Mrs. Bertha Edwards as Director.
The two libraries merged in 1963 and moved into the renovated 1909 Post Office at 601 Court Street. The Library added three branches: Cradock (1964), Churchland (1969) and Manor (1973). The Students Club still supports the Library, as do the local Lions and Kiwanis clubs. In support of Rotary International's emphasis on literacy, the Rotary Club of Portsmouth established its Birthday Book program in 1949 and has contributed a book for each member each year since, adding thousands of books to the collection.
Location. 36° 50.049′ N, 76° 18.048′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. Marker is on Court Street south of King Street, on the left when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trinity Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk County Court House (about 400 feet away, in a direct line); Towne Square (about 500 feet away); The Commodore Theatre (about 500 feet away); Monumental Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reverend Francis Devlin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Court Street Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Col. William Craford (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Portsmouth.| | | | 
By Laura Troy, November 12, 2007 | |
| | | 2. The Library | | |
More about this marker. This marker is part of the Path of History.
Credits. This page originally submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 748 times since then. Last updated on June 30, 2009, by Scott Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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