Carlisle's Libraries:
Joanna Parker Gleason
We have Joanna (Parker) Gleason to thank for our red brick library building. Mrs. Gleason was born in Carlisle to a successful farming family in 1819, and at the age of 14, young Joanna Parker began to teach school in Carlisle and neighboring towns. At the age of 39 she married John Gleason, her father's farm laborer, who was 14 years younger. The couple prospered and moved to Sudbury.
Toward the end of her life, Gleason wrote, "…as I am desirous of doing something that will be of lasting benefit to the inhabitants of the town of Carlisle, which is my native town in the home of my early days, and also the lifelong home of my parents."
She presented Carlisle with a check of $6,000 to "erect a brick building for a free public library".
We have Joanna (Parker) Gleason to thank for our red brick library building. Mrs. Gleason was born in Carlisle to a successful farming family in 1819, and at the age of 14, young Joanna Parker began to teach school in Carlisle and neighboring towns. At the age of 39 she married John Gleason, her father's farm laborer, who was 14 years younger. The couple prospered and moved to Sudbury.
Toward the end of her life, Gleason wrote, "…as I am desirous of doing something that will be of lasting benefit to the inhabitants of the town of Carlisle, which is my native town in the home of my early days, and also the lifelong home of my parents."
She presented Carlisle with a check of $6,000 to "erect a brick building for a free public library".
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Mrs. Joanna Parker Gleason
Mrs. Joanna Parker Gleason