Miss Taylor and Miss Charlotte at the Library in the Sandy Cove Community Hall. Photograph from the collection taken by the Misses Shaw and Wentworth. (Courtesy of Gayle Myers.)

Started by the Community to Serve the Community

History

The late Dr. Ronald F. Morehouse, a long serving Chairman, wrote a history of the Eldridge Memorial Library in 1989.

Miss Emily Taylor of Philadelphia was one of the many tourists who visited Sandy Cove in the late 1920's and early 30's and stayed at Hillcote Farm whose proprietors were Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Eldridge. Miss Taylor was a librarian by profession and was interested in establishing a library in Sandy Cove. She aroused the interest of several summer residents of those days -- Miss Wentworth and Miss Shaw, Dr. and Mrs. Bancroft-- and residents such as Mrs. Nora Saunders, Mrs. Addie Morehouse, Mrs. Amasa Eldridge, Mr. Amasa Eldridge and his sister, Miss Annie Eldridge. Promotion for establishing a library was also favoured by many other annual toursits and grew especially at Hillcote Farm, helped along by Mrs. "Amasy".

A meeting of those interested in organizing a library was held in winter of 1933 at Hillcote farm. Those attedning were Miss Annie Eldridge, Mrs. Glennie Sypher, Mrs. Amasa Eldridge, Rev. and Mrs. Forsythe, Mrs. Addie Morehouse, Mr. Austin Morehouse and Mrs. Nora Saunders. Rev. Forsythe was the Methodist minister. He and Mrs. Forsythe had come from Walton (near the Minas Shore, on the Walton River, about 53km from Windsor). Mrs. Forsythe entertained the meeting with songs and was accompanied by Mrs. Glennie Sypher. The purpose of the meeting was to appoint a committee for The Sandy Cove Public Library and the following were appointed:

Chairman: Mrs. Amasa Eldridge

Secretary: Mrs. Nora Saunders

Treasurer: Miss Annie Eldridge

The first library books were donatd by Miss Taylor, Miss Wentworth and Miss Shaw and were issued to borrowers from the ground floor of old Community Hall in 1934. (This building, next to Capt. Billy's Cottage, was demolished in 1957.) The first librarian was Mrs. Nora Saunders, who served in the Library in this capacity until 1951. When a suitable room became available in the Schoolhouse, the books were moved and the Library operated for a short time at that location, but quite soon the School required this room for teaching an additional class. So, the Sandy Cove Public Library was moved to the Methodist Parsonage which at that time was the house now owned by. Dr. Homer L. Brayton. (currently owned by Dr. Stephen and Avril Brayton)

The Library was operated by Mrs. Nora Saunders who was not only Librarian but also Secretary. She and the other officers, previously named, carried on until 1951 when Dr. F. G. Morehouse becamse Chairman and Mrs. Addie Morehouse Librarian.

About this time the affairs of the Library were at a critical stage. The early founders and supporters were no longer there and new people with an interest in the Library were not available. That the Library cpontinued to operate and carry on was almost entirely due to the devotion and work of Mrs. Addie Morehouse.

The next change in administration was when Ronald Morehouse became Chairman (his father Dr. F.G. Morehouse had died in 1970) and Mrs. Addie Morehouse, Vice- Chairman. Since then several persons have served as Secretary and Treasurer and the duties of Librarian have been fulfilled for the most part by volunteers.

In 1981, at the suggestion of Mrs. Lorna Shaw, Secretary (then owner of the Schoolhouse), a Committee was formed to hold an "At Home" at the Library. This has continued each summer and everyone in Sandy Cove is welcomed. This has proved to be a very popular event.

The Committee in charge of the Sandy Cove Community Hall decided in 1981 to sell the hall. In the by-laws of this organization provision was made that, in the event of sale or disposal of assets, the proceeds were to be equally divided among the churches of Sandy Cove and the Eldridge Memorial Library. This interest in and appreciation of of the value of the Eldridge Memorial Library to the community was most encouraging and the resultant contribution significantly helpful.

An important new Committee was added in 1981 when the Eldridge Memorial Library was asked to administer a Scholarhsip Fund in memory of Dr. and Mrs. F. G. Morehouse. This fund was established by Mr. and Mrs. Morely Sypher and produces a scholarship of $1000 awarded annually to a qualified graduate of Digby Regional High School. So far, eight students have received this distinction. Although the Scholarhship Committee functions as a section of the Eldridge Memorial Library its finances are kept entirely separate.

At present (1989) the organization of the Eldridge Memorial Library comprises Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary with various committees as follows:

1) Library Operations with volunteer Librarians

2) Aquisitions - purchase of new books

3) Culling - discarding old books rthat are no longer considered of value

4) Maintenance

5) Annual fincial campaign

6) Annual "At Home"

7) Scholarship Committee

8) Winter Reading

These committees involve the active cooperation of about eighteen persons during the months of July and August. The Library operates when the Digby Consoldiated School is closed. Emphasis is place on children's books and encouraging reading.

A few years ago the Library was fortunate to receive a collection of 650 Kodachrome slides of Sandy Cove taken by Wyman Bristol, a teacher and photographer, who spent many summers here. The slides show the countryside and people over several decades and have been seen with great interest and pleasure by many groups of Sandy Covers.

The Canada Council, on two occassions, granted books by canadian authors to the Library. A considerable number of children's books were included.

Library operations have been entirely financed by the annual dontions from those who use its facilities and others who are interested. Donations are receipted for tax credit.

This brief account of Eldridge memorail Library owes much to the recollection of several persons who participated in the original organization since, unfortunatley, the Minutes of the Library's proceedings before 1971 have been lost.

Although the early decision to change the name of the Library posed special problems, it connot be denied that recognition of a Sandy Cove family's contribrution is well deserved.

Up to this time the library had been known as "The Sandy Cove Public Library", but shortly after it began operating in the new building, probably during 1937, a meeting was held at "Moorings" to decide on a change in name. This aroused considerable controversy and disagreement among the executive and original founders, Miss Taylorm who had done so much to establish the Library was strongly in fovour of preserving the original name, but another fgroup influenced by Miss Wentworth, Miss Shaw and Mrs. "Amasy" wished to change the name to "Eldridge Memorial Library". Finally a change to the present name was decided. Further fianancial support from Miss Wentworth and Miss Shaw was contingent on the change of name. Miss Taylor continued her interest in the library until about 1943.

However, there were many advantages to having a permanent home for the many books that soon began to accumulate. More space was available for shelves, the Library could be kept open longer and a wood biurning stove was installed for increased comfort. Mr. Amasa Eldridge provided the wood and brought it to the LIbrary in his ox drawn cart. The Librarian recalls being very cold while waiting for the room to warm up but the appreciation of the readers of fifty years ago of the new facilities made any extra effort worthwhile.

No doubt Library users in those days were well aware that. Mr. "Amasy" supplied more than the firewood - the venerable moose head that still hangs above the doorweay was obtained by him somewhere in the wilderness across St. Mary's Bay.

However, it was not long until the Committee decided to purchase a small lot of land from Floyd and Spurgeon Jeffrey and build a library. This was made possible by a generous gift from Mr. Taylor, a bother of Miss Taylor's, Dr. and Mrs. Bancroft, Miss Wentworth, Miss Shaw, and donations from the several boarding houses such as Hillcote Farm, Brookside, Poplar House and "Eddie MacKay's", known as Bonnie Brae Croft.

The land was bought about 1935 and shortly therafter the present library building was built. Mr. Balfour Specht, brother-in-law of Mrs. Amasa Eldridge, was in charge of construction which was completed in 1936. A Tea Party to celebrate this event was held at " Moorings", the home of Miss Wentworth and Miss Shaw, and everyone in sandy Cove was invited.

Up to this time the Library had been known as "The Sandy Cove Public Library", but shortly after it began operating in the new building, probably during 1937, a meeting was held at "Moorings" to decide on a change in name. This aroused considerable controversy and disagreement among the executive and original founders. Miss Taylor, who had done so much to establish the Library was strongly in fovour of preserving the original name, but another group influenced by Miss Wentworth, Miss Shaw and Mrs. "Amasy" wished to change the name to "Eldridge Memorial Library". Finally a change to the present name was decided. Further fianancial support from Miss Wentworth and Miss Shaw was contingent on the change of name. Miss Taylor continued her interest in the library until about 1943.

No doubt Library users in those days were well aware that Mr. "Amasy" supplied more than the firewood - the venerable moose head that still hangs above the doorweay was obtained by him somewhere in the wilderness across St. Mary's Bay.