Pulaski County GaArchives History .....Library, Hawkinsville 1935 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 29, 2004, 6:55 pm HAWKINSVILLE'S PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LITERARY SOCIETY ORGANIZED APRIL 1, 1882 Some of our citizens perhaps have forgotten that at one time long ago Hawkinsville had a Public Library and Literary Society that were the pride of the town. Meetings were held twice a month, and those attending were entertained with music and recitations. In the year 1878 a petition for a charter for the incorporation of our Public Library and Literary Society was signed by the following prominent citizens: C. T. Lathrop, G. R. McCall, J. O. Jelks, Jr., L. C. Ryan, Jacob Watson, Max Sterm, A. R. Taylor, A. Starouski, J. H. Kendrick, E. F. Way, M. Hodge, J. P. Hodge, J. J. Jelks, C. C. Anderson, A. A. Smith, S. Long, J. Jacobus, R. G. Lewis, D. G. Mc-Cormick, Geo. P. Woods, O. C. Horne, and Frank Herzog. Officers: C. C. Kibbee, president; B. F. Parsons, vice president; J. H. Martin, second vice president; R. A. Merritt, secretary; Jesse Willis, treasurer. Directors: Mrs. B. F. Parsons, Mrs. C. C. Kibbee, Mrs. J. O. Jelks, Mrs. George H. White, Mrs. W. C. Harvard, John W. Evans, E. J. Henry, H. R. Fetner, Jacob Watson, R. G. Lewis, Shine B. Lawson, and Dr. N. P. Jelks. This organization proved of great benefit in a cultural way to the membership, and the meetings were valuable as social events. About 1897 those most interested in the library moved to other places, and the library was sold at auction. The books, together with the piano and office furniture, were bought by Mr. E. J. Henry. In 1910 the library was reorganized by the Uplift Club of this city. A room in the city auditorium was given for this purpose. p. 130 In April, 1915, the Woman's Club of Hawkinsville was organized, and the membership of the Uplift Club merged with the Woman's Club, and all books, magazines and furnishings were transferred to the rooms of the latter club. At this time Mrs. Mollie Roden was employed as the regular librarian by the Woman's Club. The work of equipping and enlarging the library occupied the first year. At this time the president of the Woman's Clubs of Georgia, Mrs. Nellie Peters Black, was emphasizing agriculture and the betterment of farm conditions. In view of this the local Woman's Club centered its efforts along the lines of improvement of rural homes, home economics, and consolidating county schools. Much was accomplished with the splendid assistance of our county officials and citizens. A campaign was launched with a "farmers' rally" held at the courthouse. With Mrs. Nellie Peters Black as principal speaker, and others from the Agricultural College at Athens, the movement was given considerable impetus. The projects sponsored by the Club were continued successfully until the interest of the women was absorbed in the larger work of the Red Cross when our boys were called to arms. The Club finally disbanded in 1916. The following officers served during the activities of the Club: Mrs. W. C. McAllister, president; Mrs. T. H. Bridges, first vice president; Mrs. Z. V. Peacock, second vice president; Mrs. L. A. Jordan, secretary-treasurer. Additional Comments: Extracted from "HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY GEORGIA" OFFICIAL HISTORY COMPILED BY THE HAWKINSVILLE CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PRESS OF WALTER W. BROWN PUBLISHING COMPANY ATLANTA, GEORGIA (1935) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pulaski/history/other/gms119libraryh.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb