Derby Public Library to kick off summer reading with music, tours, games

 

Derby Public Library to celebrate Harcourt Wood's birthday June 21

 

Derby Public Library to mark June birthday of Holton 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.
This time-honored tradition of the Library being decorated with flowers in compliance with his father Col. H. Holton Wood's request, which he made at the dedication of the Library in 1902, has become well known over the years, not only throughout the Valley, but well beyond.
This year Harcourt Wood will still be remembered on June 19 even though the Library is closed for public access due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the week of June 15-20 a special search and find activity will be featured on the Library's website www.derbypubliclibrary.org with a photograph of Harcourt along with pictures of roses hidden throughout the website's pages.

This loving tradition continues even in these most uncertain times.


This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Public Library to celebrate June 19 birthday of H. Harcourt Wood

Holton Harcourt Wood is the young boy in whose memory Derby Public Library was built.
Each year on June 19 the Library staff invites the community to celebrate Wood's birthday.

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

For information call 203-736-1482.

'Turnback Tuesday' features note written by Harcourt Wood in 1893

'Turnback Tuesday' is visiting a member of the Wood family this week. 

The Derby Public Library is dedicated to and named after Harcourt Wood, a boy who grew up in Derby. Harcourt was loved very much, so much so his parents gave our lovely Library to Derby in his honor. 

Here is a handwritten note from Harcourt to a friend dated May 16, 1893. Harcourt wrote this just before he turned 8 years old.

Thanks to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!