On May 14, 1895, the King's Daughters Society, a very active charitable organization (also known as "the Haverstraw Ladies Home Mission Circle") petitioned the New York State Regents for a charter to create the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library. Melvil Dewey signed the charter, making this Library the oldest chartered public library in Rockland County. The signed charter hangs in the Main Library today.
The Library opened in Jenkins Hall in 1896 and moved to another location (the National Bank Building) the following year. In 1899, a prominent local brickyard owner, Denton Fowler, offered to donate half the cost of the purchase of a site and the erection of a new library building. The condition to this pledge was that his gift had to be matched. The needed $10,000 was raised, and Haverstraw Main, also known as the Fowler Building, officially opened at the foot of Main Street on May 14, 1903.
The building was constructed with Haverstraw brick from Mr. Fowler's brickyard (the imprint DF&S can be read on the bricks laid for the basement's floor.) The original part of this two-story building displays both Classical and Renaissance Revival characteristics, with finely detailed cornices, prominent quoins, a raised foundation and a curved entrance bay. The interior is virtually unchanged, and features original fireplaces with glazed brick, carved mantelpiece, pillars, and a central stairway with oak wainscoting banisters and newel posts capped. A fire, on the second floor, badly damaged the Library in 1956, destroying almost the entire book collection. The damage was repaired.
Over the next few decades, with an increase in population and an increased demand for services, a storefront branch (Thiells) on Route 202 was opened, in 1978, to serve the needs of patrons in Garnerville, Thiells and Pomona. In that same year the State granted the Library a new charter, by designating a "Special Library District," to give residents the opportunity to vote on the annual budget and for trustees. With population expanding at a fast rate, the Thiells Branch moved to the basement of the Haverstraw Town Hall.
The Library received Federal and State (HUD) funding to construct an addition to the Fowler Building. The new wing was constructed with sensitivity to the original building's scale and materials, preserving arches and cornices and adding a ramp for the disabled. In 1983, the new wing was dedicated to Mrs. Kay Freeman, who served the Library as its administrator for 21 years. The original portion of the building was also restored during the expansion.
The Board of Trustees, in 1986, began searching for land to expand the Library's facilities. A year later the public approved an expansion and capital projects fund. The Board began to inquire into the Rosman property. Meanwhile, the Fowler Building's unique beauty, and historic significance had not gone unnoticed. In 1991 the Fowler building was added to both the New York State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. Two years later, it was the recipient of the Historical Society of Rockland County's Historic Preservation Merit Award for Continuing Use.
The Town Board approved the library subdivision on May 9, 2001. We selected Beatty, Harvey & Associates as architects, and Paceline Construction Corporation as our construction management firm to work on the plans and eventual construction. Sunday, October 21 marked the official groundbreaking ceremony of the new 36,000 square foot Haverstraw King's Daughters Library. Friends, staff and community enjoyed the beautiful weather and eagerly listened to speeches of hope and the reality of the new undertaking.
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide the community with educational, cultural, recreational, and entertainment resources through a collection of materials, programs and other resources that we make available.
HOW TO GET A LIBRARY CARD
You must live in the town of Haverstraw and be in the North Rockland School District. Bring proof of your address and photo identification such as a driver's license or passport. On that day, you will be able to borrow 2 items and your card will be mailed to your home. The card is free. However, if you lose your card, the cost for replacement is $3.00.
Your Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library card will be accepted in all Rockland County Public Libraries and all the libraries served by the Ramapo Catskill Library System (http://www.rcls.org). Each library's policies, loan periods, and fines may vary.
