BIDDEFORD — On Oct. 24, 1863, the Biddeford City Library opened in Biddeford City Hall. One hundred and fifty years later, the library is still going strong in its present-day home on Main Street.
The library moved to its current location, the former Pavilion Congregational Church, in 1902. Coincidentally, the 270 Main St. property is also 150 years old this year.
To commemorate this momentous day, on Thursday, the library hosted a birthday party, which was well attended by young and old alike, including dignitaries like Police Chief Roger Beaupre and Mayor Alan Casavant.
The library “continues to be a big presence in our community,” said Casavant. “It’s a center of learning, a center of culture. I hope this will be here in another 150 years.”
“The library is very important for the community and Biddeford residents,” said McArthur Library Association Board President Dean Wolfahrt.
It provides a number of services, such as readings, live music and other events as well as Internet access, resources for job hunters and, of course, access to a wealth of books and other publications, he said.
A lot of children and youth turned up to the birthday party. They scooped up the birthday cake made by Reilly’s Bakery in Biddeford and ice cream provided by the Biddeford Dairy Queen, owned by Wolfahrt.
Many of the young people said they enjoy visiting the McArthur.
“This place is my heaven,” said Jazmine Marie Stammel, an eighth-grader. “It’s an excuse to hang out with my friends.”
One of her friends, eighth-grader Zoe Gonzalez, said she also enjoys the library and goes there just about every day. Ninth-grade student Breneg Howard said he also likes to take books out from the library.
The library offers enjoyment not only to young people, but to adults as well.
“We love this library,” said Biddeford resident Bonnie Tallagnon. “The programs they offer here are impressive.”
“The place offers a lot,” agreed Paul Farley of Arundel. He said he especially likes to attend speaking events at the McArthur.
“It’s a gem in the City of Biddeford,” said Al Shinkel of Biddeford.
Library Director Jeff Cabral said he was pleased with Thursday’s turnout.
“There are regular patrons and new faces,” he said. “I’m glad to see a lot of children are here.
“It’s a great community celebration of the library,” he said. “It caps off a year of celebration and events for the McArthur’s birthday.”
The McArthur Public Library gets its name from Robert McArthur, who purchased the building in which the library is located and donated it to the city for use as a library. McArthur was a self-educated man who eventually worked his way up from bobbin boy to the position of agent of the Pepperell Mills, according to historical accounts.
McArthur, along with his daughters, Jane Owen and Lena McArthur, also provided an endowment for the library, the income from which, along with a contribution by the city, pays for most of the institution’s $880,000 annual budget.
Other significant contributors to the establishment of the McArthur were former mill worker Elizabeth Stevens, who left her life savings of $3,500 to the library; and Estelle Tatterson, who is responsible for the children’s reading room.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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