Danbury in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Danbury Public Library
Danbury, Connecticut
— The Museum in the Streets® —
In 1771, the Reverend Ebenezer Baldwin drew up terms for a subscription library that would be free to all denominations. Between 1793 and 1856, several other libraries were formed and disbanded.
In 1869 the present Danbury Library was incorporated. William A. White of Brooklyn left a sum of $10,000 to establish a public library in his native borough of Danbury. The following year, his brother Alexander M. White donated funds, property and his birthplace on Main Street for use until a suitable building could be erected.
The Danbury Library opened at 254 Main Street in 1878. It became a free library in 1893. At the close of its first year, the number of subscribers had grown from 320 to 2,300.
On June 7, 1970, the Danbury Public Library opened on the corner of Main and West Streets on the site of the old City Hall. An original wall from that structure and a statue of Sybil Ludington by sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington were incorporated into the library plaza design.
A devastating fire occurred inside the library on the night of February 27, 1996. The entire first floor was destroyed and other areas suffered significant damage.
The community responded with an outpouring of aid; and by September 7, 1996 a new and improved Danbury Public Library reopened to the public.
Today the library welcomes more than 50,000 visitors and circulates print and non-print collections in more than 20 languages each year.
The old Danbury Library building still stands at 254 Main Street and is now home to the Danbury Music Centre.
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 20.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Danbury, Connecticut series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 27, 1886.
Location. 41° 23.585′ N, 73° 27.062′ W. Marker is in Danbury, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and West Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Located in front of the Danbury Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 170 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Danbury Entertainment (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Center Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Sybil Ludington (within shouting distance of this marker); Danbury City Hall Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); To Our Brothers (within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Settling of Danbury (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Danbury Women of Note (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danbury.
Also see . . . Danbury Public Library. (Submitted on January 12, 2014, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2014, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 3. submitted on October 24, 2015.