Category: New Hampshire Stuff

A Little Bit of Glad: Littleton’s Library and Pollyanna

Published on by Planet Graple
Littleton Library Littleton, NH

I’ve always loved libraries—especially those housed in old, historic buildings—and the one in Littleton is no exception. Now more than 113 years old, the library is a handsome blend of Neo-Classical and Georgian architectural styles, and it came into being with a little help from Andrew Carnegie. At the turn of the 20th century, Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide, believing that free access to books and knowledge was essential for self-improvement and opportunity. His library grants helped countless towns—especially small and rural communities—establish permanent public libraries, many of which still serve their communities today as enduring symbols of education, civic pride, and philanthropy.

For several years, Littleton had been working toward securing a permanent home for its library. That goal finally became achievable in 1902, when the town received the grant from the Carnegie Foundation. As was typical of Carnegie-funded libraries, a few conditions were attached: the town had to commit $1,500 annually for operating expenses and purchase a suitable parcel of land on which to build. Once those requirements were met, the foundation provided $15,000 to turn the dream into reality. The library officially opened its doors in 1906.

Pollyanna Statue in Littleton, New Hampshire

In 2003, the library unveiled a statue of the beloved literary character Pollyanna on its front lawn. Created by artist Emile Birch, the statue captures Pollyanna mid-motion—what looks like a joyful dance—with a broad smile on her face and her arms flung wide open. She radiates optimism and happiness, which feels entirely fitting.

At first glance, Pollyanna dancing on the lawn of a library makes perfect sense—she’s a literary character, after all. But the connection runs deeper. Eleanor H. Porter, who wrote Pollyanna (published in 1913), was born in Littleton in 1868 and lived there until her marriage to John Porter in 1892, when the couple moved to Massachusetts. In fact, her childhood home was located not far from where the library now stands.

To this day, Littleton proudly celebrates this literary connection every June with the Pollyanna “Glad Day” Festival, a popular event that brings the town together in the spirit of optimism, community, and—true to Pollyanna’s philosophy—finding something glad in every situation. Pretty cool, huh?

If you visit the statue, be sure to rub the tip of her boot for a little extra good luck. 🙂

I Love Libraries 

I’ve always thought libraries were pretty special places. When I was in school—especially elementary school—I spent as much time in the library as I could. I loved being surrounded by books; there was just something about the atmosphere that felt comforting, curious, and full of possibility.

A Library is More Than Just a Collection of Books

A library is so much more than a building filled with books. Depending on the location, it can offer a wide range of resources for nearly every member of the community: free internet and computer access, books, CDs, DVDs, even cassette tapes. Many libraries host social and educational activities, such as author talks, book discussion groups, classes, and story times for kids. Some sell used books at very low prices, with the proceeds going right back into supporting the library. Others provide free or low-cost access to subscription databases and journals that would otherwise be quite expensive. And now, many libraries have gone digital, allowing patrons to borrow eBooks—how cool is that?

So why not stop by your local library and see what it has to offer? You just might be pleasantly surprised.

Vintage Newspaper Article; Prophecies for the Next Century as Predicted in 1900

Published on by Planet Graple

In the December 28, 1900 edition of the newspaper the Hollis Times in Hollis, New Hampshire a person who only identified themselves as G.R. gave his or her thoughts about how the coming 100 years would evolve.

It is 1900 years since we as a Nation began to count time. It is not the privilege of every mortal to see the ending of one century and the beginning of another. You might truly say “What difference does it make?” and yet I think we do a little more keenly appreciate the changes, improvements and advantages which have come to us in the last one hundred years (we who built our first house on Christmas day 1620) if we are here when the new calendar for 1901 appears.

We can but question whether all or a part of the predictions for the next century will come true. Here are a few of the prophecies from the “most learned and conservative minds in America” for the next one hundred years. In population we shall in- crease seven fold. The average height of a person will increase two inches and people will live to be fifty years old instead of thirty five as is the average now.

Building in blocks will be illegal and every one will reside in the suburbs and the fare will be but a penny. English will be the principal language spoken. C, X and Q will be dropped from our alphabet as spelling by sound will have been adopted. Houses will have no chimneys as no fires will be needed. Hot air for heating and hot water will be turned on from faucets furnished by a central supply plant just as our gas and electricity are furnished today. Ready cooked meals will be served hot to private houses through pneumatic tubes or by automobile wagons. Having ones own cook and purchasing ones own food will be an extravagance.

There will be no mosquitoes or flies. No street cars in our large cities. All traffic will be below or high above ground. Photographs will be telegraphed from any distance. If there be a battle in China a hundred years hence, snap shots of the event can be published an hour later and will reproduce all of natures colors. Trains will run one hundred and fifty miles an hour. New York to California in thirty six hours, no stops for water or coal. Automobiles will be cheaper than horses are today. Farmers will use them instead of the horse which will be more scarce than the ox is now.

Gymnastics will be compulsory in the schools, and a man or woman who cannot walk ten miles at a stretch will be a back number. Electric ships will go from New York to Liverpool in two days. There will be Air ships. In time of war they will hurl deadly thunderbolts which will destroy whole cities, while the fleet of air ships will be hiding among the clouds. Wild animals will cease to be, cats and mice will be extinct, cattle and sheep will have no horns.

Wireless telephone and telegraph circuits will span the world, and by the aid of huge cameras and telescopes electrically connected one can see and hear from China as readily as from Cambridge at the present time. A University education will be free to every one. Oranges will be grown in the Middle States. Strawberries, cranberries and currants will be as large as apples. All berries will be seedless. Figs will be raised here in New Hampshire, peas will be as large as beets, roses as large as cabbage heads.

A man in mid ocean can converse with his wife in her own home. Coal will nearly be exhausted. All of our restless waters both fresh and salt will be harnessed to do the work for making electricity for heat, light, and fuel as Niagara is doing today. Last but not least wonder if the one thousand different “right ways” which are being taught today to tell us how to live and how to die will merge into one and that one to do right because it is right.