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Public libraries are a recent invention. Before the mid-1800's, most libraries were privately owned. St. Mary's County public libraries did not materialize until 1950, when Mrs. Mary Patterson Davidson gave Tudor Hall, a historic house located in Leonardtown, to the St. Mary's County government, as a gift, provided that it would specifically be used as a public library. Its intended purpose was to honor the St. Mary's County casualties of World Wars I and II. However, the County Commissioners were not willing at the time to increase taxes in order to pay for a public library, so Mrs. Davidson also supplied the basic operating funds of $35,000 and initiated a campaign to raise the remaining necessary money. The timing was right. New libraries were opening up throughout the rest of the state, and St. Mary's County did not want the distinction of being the only county without a public library. In 1950 the St. Mary's County Memorial Library opened its doors to the public. |
The library's beginnings were modest. Tudor Hall originally contained 1500-2000 volumes. In the first year alone the library was visited 7000 times and that number nearly doubled one year later. The library system continued to grow with the addition of a bookmobile, which contributed one half of the total circulation, and a branch library in Lexington Park. Lexington Park Library was originally housed in Frank Knox School, then moved to Felix Johnson Educational Center. In 1968 the Lexington Park Library moved to its current location.
Can you help us identify any of these people? The photo was taken in the early 1950s. In 1952 this bookmobile made stops at 33 public, parochial and private schools per month! |
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