History – NorthEast-Millerton Library

The NorthEast-Millerton Library was incorporated on March 31, 1927 by the Board of Regents as the Millerton Free Library. At that time it was situated on the second floor of what is currently used as the screening room of The Moviehouse. Unfortunately, no images remain from that time.

Cutout from a newspaper from 3/31/1955. "Fire Attacks Business Section. 2nd Fire In 30 Years Destroys Same Business Area"

The next stop was the second floor of Delsons Department Store, now the Millerton Antiques Center. A fire on March 23, 1955 put an end to this incarnation. June Davis risked her life by going into the building to save the Library’s copy of The History of Dutchess County by Frank Hasbrouck. As crowds gathered to watch the flames, a Library trustee noted “Well, at least this gets us down from the second floor.”

A clipping from a newspaper. The photo is of two women holding up a check. The caption reads: "Mrs. Walter Davis, president of the Board of Directors of the Millerton Library, shown accepting a check for $1,288.14, presented by Mrs. Thomas Marshall, chairman of the Library Emergency Fund drive which was sponsored by the News-Republican. In accepting the check, Mrs. Davis said, 'On behalf of the trustees of the Millerton Library Association I wish to express our most heartfelt appreciation to those who gave so generously to aid the Library in time of need, and to the News-Republican for its splendid community service as spon-'" The rest of the text is cut off due to a clipping error. — Caption is incomplete due to clipping error.

The Library Emergency Fund immediately began to raise funds to replace the items they lost, ultimately raising $1,288. The Library re-opened a mere ten days later on April 2, 1955 in the tiny triangular building on John Street, directly behind the Millerton Antiques Center. By May 3, 1955 the Library resumed full functions.

A librarian helps two young men at a library table at the Millerton Library's John Street location.

Due to the extremely limited quarters of the John Street location, some books were housed in the Millerton Branch Library, located in the First National Store (a grocery store, which later became Saperstein’s).

The Millerton Branch Library, located in the First National Store (a grocery store, which later became Saperstein’s).

The Millerton Branch Library, located in the First National Store (a grocery store, which later became Saperstein’s). Books on the Honor System.

In 1962 the fire department vacated its former location on Dutchess Avenue (formerly Village Hall) and the Library moved in.

Former fire house. The fire department vacated and the library moved in.

Interior of the firehouse library. A young girl reads at a table; patrons are seen in the background.

In 1975 the Christian Science Church moved from 75 Main Street to their new building on Century Boulevard and sold their former home to the Library for $27,000. Prior to its acquisition by the Christian Science Church, the structure was owned by the Presbyterian Church and used as a manse. It had previously been divided into two apartments.

The 75 Main Street house, now the modern library.

Two sections were added to the Library’s main building. Plans for the east wing extension and the vestibule were completed in 1976. They were finished some time after.

A man on a ladder paints the outside of the Annex.

As the number of congregants dwindled, the Century Boulevard church was put up for sale. The Library Board, led by Myron Rindsberg, lobbied successfully for its acquisition as a venue for Library programs. The Annex was acquired in 2009.

Compiled and Written by Sarah Ellen Rindsberg, 2018
Updated by Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, 2025
Photographs are from the collections of the Northeast Historical Society and the NorthEast-Millerton Library

A librarian in the firehouse library reads to a group of children who are sitting on the floor.