James V. Brown Library

James V.Brown Library was the first free public library in Williamsport. It was a donation by James Vanduzee Brown as a gift to the people of the city. Brown wanted to give back to the city which had given him great happiness.

Brown, a native of Hartford, New York, was a descendent of the family who founded Brown University. He came to Williamsport in 1859. His goal was to make use of his skills to make money. Brown's first move was to purchase the operation of the Updegraff & Herdic Flour Mill, which he kept until 1866. Brown then made a run in the lumber industry with James Thompson & Company. He then became a partner of Brown, Early & Company. Many mills were then erected on Park Street due to Brown's ambitions. In 1868, he was president of The Williamsport Water Company. Brown spent nearly a million dollars and took many financial risks to bring Williamsport's first reliable water source to its citizens (1).

Brown's fortune increased greatly throughout these years. Feeding into his fortune was that he was a stockholder of the former Gazette & Bulletin and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank. His success was huge due to great handling of his businesses.

But all was to come to an end on November 18, 1902. Mr. Brown passed away. He is buried in Wildwood Cemetery. Many of his valuables and much of his fortune were kept in the family, but Brown had plans for a good sum of money he had saved.

In Brown's Library, he said, "It is my desire to erect and endow a public library for the use of the people of the City of Williamsport. It shall be known as The James V. Brown Library." Brown provided $150,000 to cover the cost of the building of the library, $10,000 for books, and an endowment with an annual yield of $10,000. It was the dream of Brown to see this built (1).

The James V. Brown Library was designed by architect Edgar V. Seeler. The start for building was April 30, 1906, on West Fourth Street, and was dedicated June 18, 1907. Its grand opening was a great accomplishment for the city (1).

The Library holds three famous statues, two of which were given by James V. Brown himself. "Ruth" of Old Testament fame by. G. Ciniselli is at the front entrance along with "Beatrice Portinari" who serves as Dante's guide through paradise in the epic poem Divine Comedy (1).

The other statue, donated by Florence Brown Atkinson, Henry D. Brown, J. T. Brown and S. Van Brown, is a replica of "Boy Columbus." A story has been told that a man once offered to rent "Boy Columbus" for a show at a birthday party. It obviously was denied. The "Boy Columbus" original remains in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (3).

These three statues remain at the library and have never been taken out.

Two oil paintings hang in the Pennsylvania Room, the grand room with a huge skylight, which are of Mr. Cummings and Mrs. Jane Cummings Brandon. The paintings were given to the library by Sarah Ellen Cummings. Mr. Cummings was the director of Brandon Park and Mrs. Brandon was his sister (2).

The Home Reference Room gives citizens many choices of books. Other sections of the library offer varied services in terms of the types of materials available as well as the resources through which to gain those sources.

The James V. Brown Library is a fine piece of art, the first great gift to the people of Williamsport.