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Wilmot Memorial Branch, The Seattle Public Library, opens in Wallingford on September 10, 1949.
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On September 10, 1949, the Wilmot Memorial Branch of The Seattle Public Library opens for business in a house at 4422 Meridian Avenue N. The library is a gift from Alice Wilmot Dennis in memory of her sister Florence Wilmot Metcalf. This facility will serve the Wallingford neighborhood for 36 years.
In 1948, Wallingford resident Alice Wilmot Dennis deeded a lot and house to the Seattle Public Library for use as a library for a minimum of 30 years. The Wallingford Library Committee headed by theater owner Jack Neville launched a campaign to raise funds to remodel the building. The committee collected $2,226 from 403 charter members, which paid for shingling, painting, a new gas furnace, and new plumbing. The library board provided a collection of 5,000 books and $2,000 for furniture.
The building was dedicated on September 9, 1949, by Mayor William F. Devin (1898-1982) and State Senator W. Ward Davison. Katherine L. Lund was the first librarian and she held that position for 10 years.
Sources:
"Wilmot Memorial Library," folder, Archives, Seattle Public Library; "Work To Start Week From Tuesday On Remodeling For District Library," The North Central Outlook, newsclipping, Wallingford Branch Library Archives.
By David Wilma, October 15, 2002
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