Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Portsmouth Public Library
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 12, 2007
1. Portsmouth Public Library Marker
Inscription.
Portsmouth Public Library. . 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.
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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 36° 50.049′ N, 76° 18.048′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. Marker is on Court Street south of King Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker is part of the Path of History.
Photographed By Lou Donkle, August 7, 2022
2. Portsmouth Public Library Marker
Photographed By Lou Donkle, August 7, 2022
3. Marker in Front of Portsmouth Public Library
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 12, 2007
4. The Library
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,333 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on June 30, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. Photos:1. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on August 7, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. 4. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
