The Grand Opening of the Gleason Public Library, May 13, 1896

The flag was raised at 11:00, and the new library building opened its doors for viewing. People in their best clothes descended from their horse drawn carts and inspected the intererior of the library to the sounds of the American Orchestra of Lowell playing in the basement.

At 12:00, a procession led to the Unitarian church where lunch was served in the lower hall. It was said, "The dinner passed pleasantly… and everyone loafed about…". The dinner was a feast of lobster, potatoes, rolls, fruit, and ice cream. At 2:00 everybody walked upstairs to the sanctuary where the opening exercises were held.

Two women were honored at the ceremony, Mrs. Lydia Eames Patten, the founder of the Carlisle Public Library, and Mrs. Joanna Parker Gleason, the provider of funds to build the bricks and mortar that was to become the Gleason Public Library.

In her speech at the ceremony, Mrs. Edward Reynolds of Carlisle expressed her admiration for "Mrs. Patten who, by her energy, got together the nucleus of the present library which consists of 1000 volumes at present. The characteristic of our library today is not its size but of its worth, the books being of the best".

Mrs. Gleason was too ill to attend the May opening of the library, but wrote these remarks to be read at the dedication. "I cannot doubt that as the years go on the people of my native town will take an ever increasing interest in their library, and give to its maintenance and increase a hearty and generous support".

Before he handed over the library keys to Selectman Charles Forbush, Joanna Gleason's lawyer declared, "Many people desire to leave after them some monument to thrust themselves on futurity. She does not give this for any show nor pomp, but from love to her native town. Now in behalf of Joanna Gleason I give you, Mr. Forbush, the keys of the building."

The photos are of:
the invited guests to the dedication (in their very best clothes),
a portrait of Mrs. Gleason,
the invitation to the dedication,
the guest book,
the dedication's program,
and the record of the library's building expenses.