WELCOME TO THE WOOLWORTH LIBRARY

The Richard W. Woolworth Library of the Stonington Historical Society opened its doors on June 20, 1998. A modern archival facility, it has a large reading room with tables for researchers, computers, copiers and a microfilm reader printer. The walls of the James Merrill Reading Room have an interesting collection of 19th century portraits of Stonington people. This library was named for a Stonington resident, Richard W. Woolworth (1935-1989), whose widow's generous donation to the Society made possible the acquisition of the property in 1994.

Hours

The collection of this library focuses on Stonington's history and people, and the surrounding areas. The library is open to the public on Monday and Wednesdays, 10 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays, 10 am to 1 pm, except major holidays. From May - October the library will also be open on Fridays, 1 pm to 5 pm.

Telephone numbers

The Library telephone number is 860-535-1131.

Manuscripts and books

The collection of this library includes manuscript files with genealogical and historical material; books on the history and people of the area, including genealogies; local and county histories; ledgers and account books; city directories; minutes of meeting of local organizations; as well as war records from the French and Indian Wars to the present day. In addition we have the land and probate record books which have been copied at Town Hall, and we expect to get tax-record books as well as microfilms thereof.

Photograph collection

The library holds an extensive collection of photographs of the area. Rollie McKenna, a former resident of Stonington, who was interested in the life and history of the village, kindly donated her Stonington archive, as did Maurice LaGrua, a local photographer who collected an archive of old photographic images, in addition to his work chronicling the people of the town. Copies of these photographs may be had thanks to our photographic onsite facility, the Maurice LaGrua Darkroom.

Newspaper collection

We have copies of local newspapers, including the microfilms of the Stonington Mirror and Mystic Pioneer from 1870-1931. We continue to collect issues of local weeklies, such as Mystic River Press, and Stonington Times. In addition we have a collection of obituaries of Stonington people stored in binders for easy access.

Display cases

Along the entry way there are a number of display cases. There are two permanent cases showing the works of of the poet, James Merrill. Other cases show examples of day books and ledgers. There are additional cases with rotating exhibits. Above these cases are some early maps of Stonington and some examples of early printed bank bills and other ephemera.

Location

We are located next to the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House on Palmer Street north of Stonington borough. Our Library is handicap accessible. We welcome your visit and/or inquiry and will be happy to help you with your Stonington research, in person, via U.S. Mail, or via e-mail.

Correspondence

Please direct all library correspondence to:
R.W. Woolworth Library
P.O. Box 103
Stonington, CT 06378-0103

library@stoningtonhistory.org

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