Westerly Sun Column | Westerly's Living War Memorial

Westerly Library and Wilcox Park is known for many things. Books, certainly. Access to a variety of technologies, information, and programs. The sprawling park and beautiful gardens. Our dazzlingly charming, talented, and intelligent staff … I could go on and on. If we go back to the beginning, though, we are — at our core — a war memorial built in commemoration of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.

In the words of Sally Coy, who led the library for 30 years: “From 1865 on, there had been considerable agitation in town for a Civil War Memorial, but nothing was done about it until 1889-90.” At this point, a sketch of the monument was created and about a thousand dollars was raised, but then things stalled. Finally, in 1891, Stephen Wilcox helped advance the project with his own proposition: he would donate $10,000 and a plot of land on Dixon House Square to be used as a Civil War Memorial and Public Library, but with one stipulation: the community needed to raise an additional $25,000 to match his gift. The response from the public was immediate and enthusiastic, and funds were quickly raised. In 1892, the Memorial and Library Association of Westerly was born.

Sadly, Stephen Wilcox passed away the year before the building was completed, but his vision of a “living war memorial” became a reality in August of 1894, when Westerly Library opened to the public. Back then — just as now — the building was much more than a house full of books. In addition to a library, gymnasium, and bowling alley, the building provided quarters and meeting space for the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization of veterans. This group is especially relevant today; in 1868, they designated May 30 “Decoration Day,” a holiday to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. This eventually morphed into a day of honor for all veterans: Memorial Day.

Though many changes have been made to our building over years, Westerly Library and Wilcox Park continues to uphold the memory of the heroic soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Today, we encourage you to take some time to remember these brave men and women as well. Stop by the war memorial at the intersection of Grove Avenue and Granite Street, or take a moment of silence in the park. The library itself is closed today for the holiday, but please visit us tomorrow and take a walk through the beautiful building that Stephen Wilcox and the people of Westerly created — a living, and lasting, memorial.

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian