Sign Number: 10
Location: Union and Second St.
Method of Display: Steel post in front

Sign10-1Women in 19th Century Hallowell didn’t have the vote or a presence in many of the professions but they did wield power and influence. In 1868 they began to raise funds for the purchase of property and the construction of a library. In 1880 their dreams were realized when this, the first public library building in the State of Maine, was erected. Designed by A.C. Currier and built with granite donated by the Bodwell Granite Company, it is often mistaken for a chapel or church. Gifts from Gen. Thomas Hubbard and Eliza Clark Lowell added two graceful wings to the original design. prompting admirers to label it “The Jewel of Second Street.” In November of 1937 a train derailment seriously damaged the building but it was rebuilt to its original beauty.

Sign10Le pouvoir de l’argent
Les femmes au 19ème siècle n’avaient ni droit de vote ni accès à de nombreuses professions mais elles ne manquaient pas de pouvoir ou d’influence. En 1868, elles commencèrent à rassembler des fonds pour l’acquisition d’un terrain et la construction d’une bibliothèque. En 1880, leur rêve se réalisa avec la construction de cette bibliothèque publique, la première du Maine. Conçue par A. C. Currier et bâtie en granit offert par la Bodwell Granite Company, on la confond souvent avec une chapelle ou une église. Grâce aux dons du Gén. Thomas Hubbard et Eliza Clark Lowell, on put ajouter deux ailes gracieuses au plan original, ce qui lui donna la réputation de “Bijou de la Deuxième Rue.” En novembre 1937, un déraillement ferroviaire endommagea gravement le bâtiment mais on le reconstruisit dans toute sa beauté.

Photograph(s)/illustration(s):
S10-01 “Unwanted visitor.”
Un visiteur malvenu.
Credit – Hubbard Free Library Collection – Photographer unknown

S10-02 “ Gen. Thomas Hubbard”
[no translation needed]
Credit – Hubbard Free Library Collection – Harold Strout

The Hallowell Museum in the Streets is a project of Row House Inc. and the Hallowell Area Board of Trade, made possible by Patron Grants from Gardiner Savings Bank of Maine, Mattson Development, LLC and The Wolfington Auto Group.
The project was underwritten by Century 21 Alliance Reality

Sign Sponsor – Friends of the Hubbard Free Library

A Museum Tour Guide is available at the Hallowell City Hall, Hubbard Free Library and at many city merchants. The Guide and links to more information about Hallowell are available online at www. hallowell.org