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Monroe Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Free Reading Room and Library Association

 
 
Free Reading Room and Library Association Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 14, 2020
1. Free Reading Room and Library Association Marker
Inscription.
Formed February 8, 1878 and opened its doors July 1, 1878

Thomas Bodine offered the property at Main St. and Library St. Providing a 10 year lease of $1.00 so the library could be built at Main and Library Streets. First Superintendent John Marsh, Jr. Original Library included many newspapers and many periodicals, originally started with 133 books, 31 which were loaned. Between shareholders and fundraisers the Reading Room maintained itself. Due to lack of funds, the library closed from November 16, 1889 - March 1890. Then closed again from 1911 - 1916. After restoration, Miss Olive Camp was appt. Librarian from 1916 - 1926. Stella sykes took position in 1926, then Mrs. Garwood and Mrs. Halsey supported the library for a number of years until the librarian became unable to continue. Library starts closing process in 1974 after its move to Main street.
 
Erected 2018 by Eagle Scout Troop 234 David Friant.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public WorkEducationWomen. A significant historical date for this entry is February 8, 1878.
 
Location. 39° 40.947′ N, 74° 59.449′ W. Marker is near Monroe, New Jersey, in Gloucester County. It is in Monroe Township. Marker is at the intersection of Library Street
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and South Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Library Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 S Main St, Williamstown NJ 08094, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Christopher Columbus (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First National POW-MIA Memorial Park (about 500 feet away); Ireland-Hofer House (about 600 feet away); First Police Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Buffalo Soldiers - 22nd Regiment U.S. Colored Troops (approx. 3.9 miles away); Hollybush (approx. 7 miles away); History of Pitman Grove (approx. 8.2 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.
 
Free Reading Room and Library Building image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 14, 2020
2. Free Reading Room and Library Building
Additional plaque on the building image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 14, 2020
3. Additional plaque on the building
Free Library
and
Reading Room


Placed on the National Register of
Historic Places
1987
for its cultural
contribution to the history of
Monroe Township
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on March 16, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

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Mar. 29, 2024