Newtown in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Newtown Library Company
| | Newtown Heritage Walk | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
1. Newtown Library Company Marker
The third home of the Newtown Library Company is located at 114 East Centre Avenue at the corner of Centre Avenue and Congress Street. The Newtown Library Company was founded in 1760 and it is the third oldest private library in Pennsylvania. Originally, the collection of books was kept at the homes of the various librarians from 1760 until after the County Seat was removed to Doylestown in 1813.
The collections were housed in the old Court House until 1824, when the first library building was constructed. In 1883, a new, larger building was constructed at what is now 11 Centre Avenue (top photo). In 1912, the Library Company dedicated the present building at 114 East Centre Avenue (bottom photo). Expansion in 1979 provided additional stack rooms, a children's area, librarian workspace and handicap ramps. In 2004, the Library was renovated and expanded once again to meet the needs of the growing community.
Erected 2007 by Newtown Library Company and Newtown Heritage Association. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Education. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania, Newtown Heritage Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1760.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Newtown and Vicinity World War I Honor Roll (a few steps from this marker); Half-Moon Inn (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edward Hicks (about 400 feet away); Edward Hicks House (about 400 feet away); St. Luke's Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away); Justices House (about 600 feet away); Newtown - County Seat (about 600 feet away); February 9, 1778 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newtown.
Also see . . .
1. Newtown Heritage Association. Website homepage (Submitted on June 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Newtown Library Company History. (Submitted on June 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
2. Newtown Library Co. & Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
3. Newtown Library Co. Photo on Marker
[Caption reads] View of the second site of the Library, circa 1890. This was located at 11 East Centre Avenue.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
4. Newtown Library Co. Photo on Marker
[Caption reads] View of the third home of the Library, circa 1915, at 114 East Centre Avenue.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
5. Newtown Library Company
World War I Honor Roll in left foreground.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
6. Newtown Library Co. Sign on Marker
[Caption reads] Original library sign painted in 1825 by Edward Hicks.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 15, 2009
7. Newtown Library Company Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,189 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
