Amesville in Athens County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Western Library Association

1804

— The Coonskin Library —

Western Library Association Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 4, 2009

1. Western Library Association Marker

Inscription. In the years leading to Ohio statehood in 1803, Ames Township citizens decided to establish a stock-owned circulating library. Since cash was scarce during Ohio's frontier era, some citizens paid for their $2.50 shares by the sale of animal pelts, which were taken to Boston for sale in the spring of 1804 by merchant Samuel Brown. There he acquired fifty-one volumes, primarily books on history, religion, travel, and biography, as the first accessions for the Western Library Association. Senator Thomas Ewing later related that he paid his share with ten raccoon skins, thus suggesting the collection's popular name “the Coonskin Library.” Judge Ephraim Cutler was the first of many librarians who kept the library until 1861.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The International Paper Company Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 39° 24.014′ N, 81° 57.345′ W. Marker is in Amesville, Ohio, in Athens County

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. Marker is on State Street (Ohio Route 550), on the right when traveling east. Marker is in Gifford Park, across from the US Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amesville OH 45711, 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. Frank Henry Gifford (a few steps from this marker); Ames Academy Bell (a few steps from this marker); Historic Amesville (within shouting distance of this marker); Millfield Coal Mine Disaster (approx. 6.9 miles away); Quaker Meeting House (approx. 7.8 miles away); Millfield Mine No. 6 - 1205 Disaster (approx. 7.9 miles away); Todd and Tony Carr Memorial (approx. 8.4 miles away); Athens County Infirmary (approx. 8.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amesville.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., January 4, 2009

2. Western Library Association Marker

Amesville post office and mural across street to right rear of marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,235 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.