The Skidompha Library: A Brief History
1977

Acknowledgments

Warmest appreciation is expressed to all members of the Woman’s Club who encouraged the writer. Special gratitude goes to our President, Eleanor Calvin, and to our Town Librarian, Marjorie Bowers; also, to the Board of Trustees, especially Dean Frederick Fassett. There is gratitude to Mrs. Harold Castner who loaned valuable notes, and to Mary Childs Jane who introduced the writer to Skidompha. Also, to the Lewiston Evening Journal for permission to reprint portions of this history and to Mrs. Helen Ripley of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

History Written by Florence M. Sturges

All Photographs by Dwight Richard Sturges

Published by the Newcastle-Damariscotta Woman’s Club Copyright 1977

 

Introduction

Library service for the entire community has advanced and gained recognition in all areas of the academic world. In the Newcastle-Damariscotta area this trend is notable especially in the last decade. Public service libraries have developed into positions of greater stature and responsibility. Our library has reached new heights of work with the elementary schools and is now an adjunct to the curriculum.

The new wing for children facing the Library Garden was added in 1974 and is one of the Library’s special features. Due to this additional space, work with children has greatly augmented the public library’s service in scholastic needs as well as enhancing the joys of leisure reading. Early in 1970 Mrs. Robert Smith dreamed of this addition with the windows opening to the garden and following her organization of the Book Shop and the Art Gallery, the new Children’s Room became a reality. Dean Frederick Fassett, with the thoughtful aid of the Board of Trustees brought this dream into fruition.

Skidompha Library enjoys the patronage of the summer residents; their concern and use of the Library has brought much praise. They, in turn, express appreciation for the quick response to their special needs from the State Library and Cultural Center in Augusta.

Libraries of this era are sought for guidance as well as supply. This brief history of the formation of the Skidompha Library reveals a tale of how two groups of civic and cultural workers wished to share their books and ideas with their future townspeople.

 

Foreword

Our interest in publishing the story of the Skidompha Library stems from our recognition of the vital role a library plays in the life of a community.

It does much more than provide pleasure reading for those with time at their disposal, as important as this is.

Easily accessible on a library’s shelves are volumes of information penned by great thinkers and great achievers of all time, ideas beyond the experience of any one individual. Wide use of the material available in a good, up-to-date library is not only a “continuing education” experience, but an important factor in producing a growing, innovative community.

This area owes a real debt of gratitude to those who brought the Skidompha Library into being as well as those who have carried it forward over the years and are continuing to do so at the present time. We want to commend particularly the work being done today to introduce the world of books to children, and to foster that interest in them.

Many well-used volumes of the world’s best literature and reference works on the shelves of the Skidompha Library bear testimony to the usefulness of the library in the past, and encourage us today to take fullest advantage of the opportunity it affords to broaden our knowledge and vision.

—Mrs. Robert G. Calvin
President The Newcastle-Damariscotta Woman’s Club

 

The Skidompha Library of Damariscotta, which also serves the two adjoining towns of Newcastle and Nobleboro, has a most unusual name as well as a beautiful library building. It is housed in a handsome colonial home, built in 1803, and known for years as the Dixon House. The tall house, enclosed by hand-wrought fencing, with its storage barn at the rear, the Library Garden with its Memorial Bench of Maine granite, a thriving Book Shop, and an Art Gallery, was once the home of several of the town’s leading citizens.

In 1922 the Skidompha Library Association, with funds from the treasury of the Newcastle-Damariscotta Woman’s Club, purchased the Dixon House for $5,000, and after suitable remodeling, the Skidompha Library was moved into the lower floor. The Woman’s Club whose members had shown deep concern and pride in the founding of a town library through the years and had been instrumental in bringing the needs of fuller library service to the notice of the townspeople, occupied the second floor as it does today.

Skidompha is an acrostic, a combination of significant letters taken from the names of the charter members of a small group from the Damariscotta Methodist Episcopal Church who had formed a social literary club in the 1880s.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Damariscotta, in the mid-1880s, days of prosperous shipbuilding, had a large and active membership that included many prominent families. One of the most active members of the Methodist Church was Charles E. Merry, well-known shipbuilder. He lived at the corner of Elm Street and Lewis Point Road.

Mr. Merry was a leader in the Sunday School and it was he who is credited with suggesting the formation of a group of church members who wished to meet to discuss many and various things, not necessarily concerning the church and its needs.

At this time William Keene Hilton, Jr., was organist at the Methodist Church. The church had a fine old organ, but the elaborate pipes above were empty of sound and a new organ was desperately needed.

 

“The Mikado”

Mr. Merry, in discussing plans for the new inner church group, suggested that its first undertaking should be an effort to raise money to purchase a new pipe organ. There were several suggestions, but it was Mr. Merry’s that met with the most enthusiasm, that of presenting the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, “The Mikado,” which immediately was greeted with enthusiasm. Rehearsals soon were underway. Prominent members of the cast were: William Keene Hilton, Miss Julie Kelsey, Miss Addie Kelsey, Miss Ida Benner, Mrs. James David, Mrs. Lizzie Merry, Miss Mary Pinkham, and Miss Jennie Ames.

“The Mikado” was given on April 8, 1885, in the Methodist Church vestry and at a later date was repeated at Damariscotta Mills for the purpose of raising more funds. The new organ was purchased.

No admission had been charged to “The Mikado.”

The vestry was crowded. During intermission, the wedding attendants in “The Mikado,” beautifully garbed in Japanese costumes, passed tea through the audience. Those wishing tea could donate whatever they wished. Some paid quite a high price for their tea, and it is recalled they could keep the dainty china ware they had so extravagantly purchased.

The Methodist Society became a delightful social club. Literary interest became a dominant tone, and the members of the group brought books that were prevalent at that time.

 

An Acrostic

One evening, at a meeting at the Charles Merry home, discussion of a name for the group arose. There was much pondering, many suggestions, trying out of names, but no quick decision was made. Later Mr. Hilton began to form a few words, writing out the names of the members who had been in the cast of “The Mikado.” He began to invent an acrostic, a popular form of entertainment of that time. At the next meeting he presented his idea for a name and it was adopted. Thus the Skidompha Club was named.

SKIDOMPHA was an assembly of the first or the more significant letters from the names of the club members. It was assembled thus:

S Stetson, Elsie

K Kelsey, Julie and Addie

I Ida Benner

D David, Mrs. James

0 Osman, Plummer

M Merry, Mr. and Mrs. Charles

P Pinkham, Mary

H Hilton, William Keene, Jr.

A Ames, Jennie

The club, now the Skidompha Club, met for the first time under its new name on Monday evening, May 8, 1885. Most of the meetings were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Merry on Elm Street. Mr. Hilton was always a leading member. Shortly after the opening meeting a constitution and set of by-laws were formed, and a year later, June 28, 1886, it was recorded that Mr. Hilton read a most “interesting invention of his mind” in the form of alliteration, as was his frequent wont. Some record was made of this “invention” which began with the letter S and traced Skidompha again. There was a great epidemic of such writings, wrote the secretary in one report.

 

Owl Mascot

The homes of this era often had stuffed birds, dried flowers, preserved hair, and small mementoes on their shelves and one mantel was home for a small stuffed owl. The tiny creature seemed to personify wisdom so it became the mascot of the new club.

Mr. Hilton composed a song, “Skidompha Ode,” and set it to the melody of Tit Willow from the much-loved “Mikado” and the club adopted a motto: “Lege et Disce,” (Read and Learn). A five-cent collection was added to the fee at each meeting and the money began to collect in their treasury or “ginger jar” as it was called throughout those years.

Like the lyceums and social groups of those years, the meetings gave confidence, enjoyment, and an air of serious pursuance of knowledge to the group. Sharing experiences, giving papers on themes of studied research interspersed with philosophic wisdom, and gentle raillery brought together the true bonds of harmony and kindly insights.

During these years frequent mention of their growing library was made; all were invited to browse and suggest new materials.

On Monday evening, April 16, 1894, the secretary wrote: Mrs. Hilton read a communication from the Maine State Floral Society requesting a report of our choice of the State Flower. The Skidomphans chose the arbutus from the four given as being the most appropriate to represent Maine at the National Garland.

On May 7, 1894, the ninth anniversary of the founding of the Skidompha Club was noted. Up to that time the club had been a literary more than a library association. Mr. Hilton suggested that the club buy a few books with their funds in the “ginger jar.” There was considerable interest in Frank Stockton’s Casting Away of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine.

 

The Ginger Jar

The “ginger jar” into which the club had dropped donations now became the official name for the club’s treasury. More books were purchased from funds in the Ginger Jar. The library grew and grew. Soon it became urgent to find a place to house the books. Rooms were obtained over the Charles M. Jones Grocery Store, now the location of the Pine Tree Variety Store, and strangely enough this first ‘library’ was almost opposite the present Skidompha Library.

For eight more years, from 1896 to 1904, the Skidompha Club continued. Its library was open through the most generous contributions of time and money by many local people. Miss Geneva King received the community’s gratitude for her faithful duties as chief librarian for many years.

The collection of books continued to grow. Many summer residents as well as local people, made donations in books and money. To Thomas Kennedy of Newcastle goes the distinction of giving the first sizable amount, a $S50 donation. Others came forward. There was much generosity from patrons of the library.

A report of the Skidompha Club, written by Miss Julia Kelsey, charter member, is a brief history of its growth, object, and the inevitable changes: “…dear old Skidompha has had its day…the chief object of which was to plan ways by which the library could be kept open to the public.”

She recalled that as early as 1886, Mr. Hilton had suggested buying books for the use at the Club and that as the books collected, some member would say: “Who knows but that we may be starting a public library!”

 

Gift to Towns

Later, in .March 1905, Miss Kelsey had written that it was proposed to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Skidompha by offering the library to the towns for their free use if the towns would support it. This had been their object since the first book was placed upon the shelf, she added.

Article 29 reads: “To see if the Town of Damariscotta will accept the use of the Skidompha Library for its citizens for the ensuing year….”

 

Library Fund

The amount appropriated at this town meeting on March 20, 1905, was $100. By 1950, $600 was appropriated, and in 1970, $1,000. Newcastle’s support through the years has been most generous.

Thus, in 1905, the Skidompha Club of Damariscotta gave to the three towns, Damariscotta, Newcastle, and Nobleboro, a collection of 1,476 books as a start for a Free Public Library. In 1911 the Woman’s Club of the towns began to take an active interest in a library building project which would also provide a meeting room for the Woman’s Club members.

By 1905 it was decided to present the Skidompha Library to the two towns as a Public Library. The Annual Town Report of Damariscotta for the year ending March 1, 1905, contains the Town Warrant for the meeting.

 

Cook Book

When the Woman’s Club met at their annual meeting, on May 5, 1914, the constitution was amended to provide for a Standing Committee of three to be called the Public Library Committee. There came into being many splendid efforts: house-to-house canvassing, pledges, benefits, musicales. On November 24, 1914, Mrs. Singer and Mrs. Dunbar put on the first full Library Benefit in Lincoln Hall. The Building Fund earned $35.50. Always there had been the Food Sales and as early as February 15, 1910, the ladies had prepared a Cook Book which sold for thirty-nine cents. Before May of that year sixty-nine copies had been sold and $117.43 had been put aside for the Library Fund, then called the Club Treasury.

At about this time there had been a somewhat wistful desire for an official club meeting place and, of course, there was much discussion for the need of a full-service library building which would cater to all age groups. With the increasing membership of the Woman’s Club the private residences traditionally used for meetings were beginning to appear too small, especially for outside lecturers and guest speakers. Thus, on April 11, 1911, it was voted to issue a Second Edition of the Cook Book. It was from the proceeds of this 1911 edition that Mrs. Kendall Dunbar asked the Club to put aside $100 as a beginning for the Library Fund.

 

“The Old Maids Convention”

It was in 1916 that Mrs. Dunbar suggested the producing of a favorite play, “The Old Maids Convention.” It proved an hilarious success, Mrs. Harriet Day wrote in her annual report, and such was needed in the war years. The proceeds were $181.71. Every seat in Lincoln Hall was taken and after constant demand for a repeat performance the cast reassembled later in August of that year, and this time even the windowsills and aisles were filled as well as every seat in the hall. The Library Building Fund was increased by $151.30, added these eager ladies, in a final report.

In 1918 all Library Funds were invested in Liberty Bonds. The Woman’s Club dues were raised to one dollar in 1919.

 

New Library Opens

In the annual town report for 1921 the Library Fund had grown to $2,758.72. On December 13, 1921, the Woman’s Club learned through Mrs. Harriet Gay, an active member, that the Dixon property on Main Street, Damariscotta, was to be sold to the highest bidder. On January 7, 1922, a special meeting of the Woman’s Club was called to assemble at the home of Mrs. Annie F. Dodge for the purpose of a discussion of the advisability of the location of a library. Miss Helen Piper moved that the club offer $5,000 or more, if necessary, to purchase the Dixon property.

The Woman’s Club Library Committee conferred with the Skidompha Library Association immediately. Mrs. Harriet Gay, Chairman of the Club’s Library Committee, reported the results of this meeting and told her associates that the Dixon property, consisting of house and stable on the lot between Main and Elm Streets and the lot on the river across Main Street, had been purchased for $5,000.

The Woman’s Club was not incorporated and, thus, could not hold property. The Skidompha Library Association had been incorporated when it was formed in 1905. Therefore, the Woman’s Club Library Fund was to be turned over to the Library Association. It was reported that the book collection numbered between 6,000 to 7,000 volumes. The Woman’s Club turned over the $2,957.41 for the purpose of establishing a public library. The Skidompha Library Association, incorporated for the sole purpose of maintaining a library for Damariscotta and Newcastle and Nobleboro, was in a position to purchase the building “…for the purpose aforesaid” as was expressed in legal terms.

The Woman’s Club would have meeting rooms in the building, it was also decided.

Much credit was due to Mr. Wilder Dodge. As secretary of the Library Association he was in constant cooperation with Mrs. Laura Dunbar, chairman of the club’s committee, which made it possible for the Library rooms and the Club Rooms to be opened at about the same time in early October, 1922.

At the March town meeting a like amount for the maintenance of the library as a free library for the three towns was agreed upon. In 1922, $100 from each town was allotted but as library service was augmented, $300 was agreed upon.

The Library Committee of the Club had staged an all day fête in August 1922 which added $493.65 to the Building Fund. Donations during that year had amounted to over $100. In 1923 folding chairs were purchased through the effort of Almore Hatch for the new Club Rooms. On October 10, 1923, the first piano was purchased for $75. At that date the Library Building debt had been reduced to $1,190 by the sale of the lot on Main Street to George Woodman and of the stable and lot of land on Elm Street to Stanley W. Elliott.

In February, 1924 there was some discussion by new members as to who owned the Dixon furniture. The matter was summarily settled by a Dixon heir saying his dealings were entirely with the Library Association and at the time of purchase he did not know of the existence of the Woman’s Club. He preferred the library to have the furnishings.

The summer people helped immensely. Much talent was contributed and some donations were made when the needs of the library were recognized by these newer people. In April 1926 Mrs. Amy A. Erskine was elected president of the Woman’s Club and she assumed the job of encouraging and pushing the need for a Furnace Fund. There had been beautiful old fireplaces in most of the rooms at this time. In July 1927 a vote was recorded to finance a heating plant for the entire building; it was installed in September of that year.

It was recorded that Walter Mills, a summer resident, gave a concert in the summer of 1927 which netted $93. Mr. Edward Barnes added $100, provided that this sum could be matched by another donation; these gifts were used for the furnace, which cost $1,200 at that time.

In February of that year (1927) the Skidompha Library Association, by a vote, presented the Woman’s Club all the Club Room furniture for its special use in recognition of the very great service the Woman’s Club had rendered the library in the past and also for what it might do in the future!

 

The Dixon House

The Dixon House was built in 1803 by Jacob Sleeper. Later the property was purchased by Stephen Coffin who made it his home until his death in 1848. His daughter, Mary Gorham Coffin, was born in this house November 9, 1820. She married Dr. Robert Dixon of Boston on May 7, 1851.

Dr. Robert Dixon was a graduate of Harvard Medical School in 1846 and was a house officer at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He settled in Damariscotta after his marriage and lived in the family home, practicing his profession. Dr. Dixon was an able physician and a skilled surgeon who, for forty years, ministered to his people.

“Nor merely from the resources of his professional knowledge, but from the tenderness of a personal sympathy,” so reads a memorial to Dr. Dixon at the Skidompha Library.

Mrs. Dixon died in the family home on April 2, 1887, and Dr. Dixon died on October 18, 1888. The property passed into the possession of their daughter, Harriet Gorham Dixon. She died on December 9, 1921, and left the property to her brother, Dr. Robert Dixon of Boston. It was through the purchase from him that the handsome house came to be the home of the Skidompha Library.

The colonial homes of the nineteenth century, with their fan-shaped doorways, wrought iron gates, and white fencings, are fitting places for the housing of treasured books old and new. How often these smaller collections do house treasures, sometimes forgotten, but pounced upon with joy when discovered. With the keen sense of restoration one encounters today it is heartening to note the reverence with which these books are regarded along with the newer titles. Good houses and good books set the tone of a village. Libraries and homes form associations to bequeath to the new generations as they search for the best of the old and mingle with the best of the new.

 

Active Library

The Skidompha Library of Damariscotta is an active library now. It is close to the Main Street so patrons may include the library on their trips to town. Sometime ago a distinguished librarian, who went about the country aiding ailing libraries and new boards of trustees planning new structures, made the important statement that all libraries should be near the center of activity. Skidompha is a quiet oasis yet is close to the townspeople when they need reference as well as leisure reading. The sturdy walls protect its readers; the many-paned windows look upon a busy village and claim a longer view to the tidal cove of the Damariscotta River.

The head librarian is vitally concerned with the care and needs of her clientele and is backed by a scholarly Board of Trustees. Many authors and artists live nearby; they depend on their local library and their writings enrich the collection. One tall memorial bookcase contains the works of those who have written about Maine or have made their home in the state.

 

Maine State Library

There is advanced cooperation between all libraries. By phone, called a “hot line” to the State Library, requests are handled readily and in depth.

The State Library had its beginning in a resolve of the Legislature of 1836 which required the Secretary of State to purchase a library under the direction of the Governor for the special use of the legislature and to expend $5,000 for the purpose.

By a legislative act of 1839 the books belonging to the State by purchase or donation were collected in the south wing of the State House, and, thus, constituted the State Library under the charge of the State. In 1861 the State Library was made a separate department under the direct control of the Governor with his Council as a Board of Trustees and they were authorized to support it as a State Library.

This State Library brings together all libraries throughout the state. It is a focal library and provides a direct and connecting line over the state and stands ready to send material immediately to the requests; the mails are busy with its packages of books as they are delivered at the many and scattered libraries in the state of Maine. It has been especially welcome to student use and authors who live outside the areas of larger towns.

 

Early Libraries

It is an interesting fact that the earliest libraries of the world were probably temples and the earliest librarians priests. It has seemed to librarians that their concern is with the individual and his personal growth through books the sharing and showing of the way into knowledge and wisdom is similar to the priest or teacher who also stands among his collection of books for the purpose of guiding his colleagues. It is also a form of education which advanced as rapidly as the ideas of public education or school system, although it was not so recognized at the beginning.

Because life was austere in early Maine, books with the exception of the Bible were luxuries. The earliest recorded history of books as written in the Maine Province and Court Records which had their beginning in 1636 at Saco or in the York Deeds or in Maine Wills, shows that books were few in number. Few families possessed books in seventeenth-century Maine. Mr. Banks, the historian of York, tells of the generosity of Jonathan Saywood of that town, who in 1689 patronized literature. He was one of the subscribers to Prince’s Chronology of New England and to the Rev. Jeremy Belnap’s History of New Hampshire. He also supported the “Public Prints” as newspapers were called and read them carefully as his diary testifies. In only two of the wills probated in the Province of Maine in the seventeenth century are books mentioned. Of course, many people did not write and few made wills, often depending on friends to carry on their wishes and goods of the world in the proper continuity.

In 1747 Deacon White of North Yarmouth left a bequest of thirty-nine pounds for the purchase of books. This sum was augmented by contributions from the neighbors and a small library of books, twenty-five or thirty in number, was made available to the people of the town. With one exception the books were religious in nature; that one was concerned with navigation, a practical subject, indeed, and welcome in the world of that time.

New England Social Libraries were in the forefront of gaining response to their establishment. Their expansion was notable and they often stemmed from small social church groups, as did the Skidompha Library; these libraries usually needed added town support and civic concern, but they grew steadily if not dramatically.

Social Libraries were libraries owned by a number of people and called variously by the names of proprietors, members, or incorporators who bought a certain number of shares or rights in the proprietary group or corporation, thus making themselves eligible to the use of the books. Sharing was always an early way of life with books. The members of these corporations or social groups prepared the books for use among the readers, providing space and meeting places for their patrons and other members. In 1798 the Massachusetts General Court passed an act to enable the proprietors of the Social Library ”to manage the same.”

The law gave seven or more persons the right to form themselves into a society for the express purpose of more abundant library service. It is heartening to read that even before this some eight or ten of the Social Libraries had been formed in the Province or District of Maine. In 1763 Falmouth, now Portland, had such a group and among the members are found such names as Stephen Longfellow, Elijah Kellogg, and Benjamin Titcomb, the first printer in town. Sometimes they were named Ladies Social Libraries, presided over by dedicated librarians. Mary Ellen Chase mentions these quiet purveyors of books.

Maine was well represented in its effort to bring books to people. The Revolving Library, established in 1751 for three adjoining parishes in Kittery and York is still in existence in the Community House at Kittery Point,where William Dean Howells found much of his reading in his later years at “Cholderton” at the Point and of which he writes with such gratitude. The Library Society founded by twenty-six gentlemen of Falmouth Neck and succeeded in 1826 by the Portland Atheneum was the forerunner of the present Portland Public Library. Bowdoin College Library, founded in 1794, now is the oldest in active existence.

Some of the earliest proprietary or social libraries were founded at Waterville, now Colby College Library, Gorham, and the North Yarmouth Academy Library; later small libraries were formed in Bangor, which grew with generous bequests, and soon in Belfast, Bucksport, Camden, Castine, Machias, Saco, Union, Warren, Winthrop, and Wiscasset. Many of these were often debating clubs, lyceums, or tiny assemblies of special subject materials, but they expanded into full public libraries by sheer necessity and were quickly placed into rooms or quarters under the management of responsible bodies. The first library legislation took these collections and gave them a legal status as libraries.

The free public library of the present day is the direct consequence of the need expressed by the organization of these earlier associations and in many instances is their lineal descendant.

 

Library Commission

In 1899, through the “Maine Federation of Women’s Clubs” a traveling library system was established by law. Then came the “Library Commission” of five members and a State Librarian.

The first Free Public Library Law was passed in 1854, Maine being the third state to enact such legislation. Towns were authorized to establish and maintain public libraries. By 1893 the passage of a new Public Library Law not only permitted but encouraged the establishment of libraries.

As libraries are reservoirs of information they assume a new importance in community life for persons of every age and interest. Like all town libraries Skidompha is growing each year and the dissemination of information in various media has brought to the forefront the necessity of a strong, general library. It is an institution in its own right and may now “teach” literature, encourage discrimination among books, and plan programs in many fields. Libraries small and large are for the people to find inspiration and joy. The early Skidomphans found much pleasure in their meetings but they knew, too, about the search for personal needs in literature and art.