Belpre in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 30, 2009

1. Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library Marker

Inscription. As a shareholder of the United Library Association in Pomfret, Connecticut, General Israel Putnam amassed a large collection of books, which was called the Putnam Family Library. The collection was divided among his heirs after his death in 1790. His son, Colonel Israel Putnam brought part of that collection with him to Washington County, Ohio, in 1795. Education was a foremost concern to settlers in the Ohio Country and was reinforced in article three of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Accordingly, the Putnam family's collection circulated among neighbors and provided the means of education for the people of Belpre and surrounding communities. By 1796, a group of subscribers, paying ten dollars a share, fully organized a public library. Later known as the Belpre Farmers' Library, it was the first library established in the Northwest Territory. The library operated under the management of the shareholders until 1815.

Erected 2002 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Belpre Historical Society, Washington County Public Library, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 9-84.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work

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• 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 1790.

Location. 39° 16.669′ N, 81° 36.185′ W. Marker is in Belpre, Ohio, in Washington County. Marker is on Washington Boulevard (Ohio Route 618), on the left when traveling east. Marker is in front of the Belpre Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2012 Washington Boulevard, Belpre OH 45714, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cedarville Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Early Ohio Artists (approx. 0.4 miles away); Summerhouse (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia); Hothouses (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia); Fishpond (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia); Paling Fence (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia); Maze (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia); Arbors (approx. 0.4 miles away in West Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belpre.

More about this marker. This marker has the same inscription on both sides.

Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 23, 2017

2. Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library and Marker

Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 30, 2009

3. Putnam Family Library / Belpre Farmers' Library

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 910 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 20, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 26, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on June 20, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.