Walker Memorial Library

Description

This photograph shows the Walker Memorial Library as it looked around 1940. The Walker Memorial Library was named for Joseph Walker (1800-1891), who left a bequest in his will for the construction of a library, with any remaining funds to be placed in trust for purchasing books. The architect of the Walker Memorial Library was The architect was Frederick A.Tompson.

On May 26, 1894, the library had been completed and was presented to the City of Westbrook. Previously a social library had been in operation, first as the Falmouth Social Library in 1802, and then in 1814, when the town of Westbrook was incorporated, the name was changed to the Westbrook Social Library. The books were housed in a locked bookcase, that was kept in various librarian's homes and buildings until the library was built. This library system is one of the earliest social libraries in Maine.

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