Salisbury in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Nation's First Public Library

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011

1. Nation's First Public Library Marker

Inscription. Nation's First Public Library In 1803, Caleb Bingham established in Salisbury the first library in the United States open to the public free of charge. The collection was expressly created for use by young people nine to sixteen years of age although it was used by adults as well. In 1810, the town board voted to allocate tax money toward the operation of the "Bingham Library For Youth" thereby making Salisbury the first community in America to provide tax-supported public library services.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 41° 58.857′ N, 73° 25.363′ W. Marker is in Salisbury in Northwest Hills Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Library Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Located next to the entrance to the Scoville Memorial Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 Main Street, Salisbury CT 06068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Connecticut’s Berkshire Foothills

and in the Litchfield Hills.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Litchfield County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Salisbury Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); Salisbury (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Burying Ground (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Salisbury Veterans Monument (about 400 feet away); Salisbury Soldiers' Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central New England Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Memory of Robert Scoville, M.A. (approx. 2.8 miles away); Canaan (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.

The Entrance to the Scoville Memorial Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011

2. The Entrance to the Scoville Memorial Library

Marker is to the left of the door

The Scoville Memorial Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011

3. The Scoville Memorial Library

Built in 1894

Plaque next to the Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 15, 2011

4. Plaque next to the Entrance

The Chimes of the Library Clock Tower
Are Maintained by a Fund Established
In the Loving Memory of
Georgia Johnson McEver
(Jan. 20, 1947 – Dec. 24, 2000)
By Her Husband, Family and Friends

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,654 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 1, 2011, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.