Birthday celebration planned at Derby Public Library

Annual event to remember Harcourt Wood
DERBY - The Derby Public Library will commemorate the birthday of Holton Harcourt 

Wood, the young boy in whose memory the Library was built, from 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

June 19.  

H. Harcourt Wood 

The Library will be decorated with flowers in compliance with Col. H. Holton Wood's request, which he made at the dedication of the Library in 1902.

At that time he asked that flowers be placed throughout the Library every year on the birth date of his son. 
His request has been honored ever since.

Several years ago, the Library also added the tradition of commemorating this special day with a birthday cake.

This time-honored tradition has become well know over the years, not only throughout the Valley, but well beyond. It has been written about in the New York Times.

A memorial plaque in Harcourt’s memory is displayed at the front entrance of the Library, 313 Elizabeth St. 

The public is invited to visit throughout the day for cake and to learn more about the history of the Library.

For more information, stop by the Library or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.