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(JCJ 2/11/1931) Record of the Village Improvement Club of Pierrepont Manor. by Mrs. Adelaide E. Grenell
The Village Improvement Club was organized by Phoebe Hicks at Robinson Hall on October 1st, 1903, by 13 ladies. The following
were elected: Mrs. W.H. Grenell, president; Mrs. B.P. Larned, vice-president; Alice Bradway, secretary; Mrs. Jesse Hicks,
treasurer.
Our list grew rapidly until 32 members were enrolled. The name for our new society was, after a few changes, finally selected
as “The Village Improvement Club,” and has still remained the same thru all the years gone by.
Our first need to be brought forward was the purchase of street lamps and our efforts were crowned with success. Soon we
had a string of lights the length and breadth of our little village.
I was riding one evening and had occasion to enjoy their beauty. While coming down the big hill from Mannsville, it looked
like a city street dotted with lights, bright and brilliant, as far as could be seen. I think we could rather crow over our
neighboring village, Mannsville, for on our way down in the other direction, after reaching the limits of the corporation,
we encountered only one lone lamp burning on the street. Although there is a pressing need of more light in the center of
the village, they will come all in good time. And I think it would be hard to find any fault with the cleanliness and brilliancy
of our lamps at the present time.
Our next good work was to lay a cement walk through the center of the village. Later on, gravel walks were made and the spirit
of improvement went on. Others were added. We can now boast of as good walks as any village of its size.
The Village Green
Next the old “Village Green” which had in our childhood been a meeting place for the neighborhood for games of
ball, quoits, etc., has been redeemed and put in order. This occurred in 1906, and all available means of raising funds were
brought to bear. The president had a small picture of the Village Green made in 1872. It was taken to an artist and photos
made. These were put on sale and quite a sum was realized, as many old residents and schoolmates of the long ago eagerly sent
in orders for a copy. This sale together with fairs, entertainments, socials, lectures and the like, soon placed our treasury
in good condition. So the work was begun Subscriptions of money, work and material were given and for a tome all seemed well.
But after a time interest lapsed ans we were getting discouraged, when W.H. Grenell was appealed to. He advised us that the
proper way to get about such a work was to know that we had some right or privilege to do the work, as the land did not belong
to us. So the president promptly applied to the executors of the estate of William C. Pierrepont and they replied to this
effect, asking if we were incorporated. But as we were not, the best they could do would be to write a letter giving us the
privileges we desired for some indefinite term, and they would be pleased to do so. We accepted the conditions and went on
with the work. Mr. Grenell planted the maple trees. Mr. William McConnell drew more dirt and stone, and others helped, so
at last the park was finished, grades and seeded. And we now look upon our “Village Green” as a thing of beauty,
pleasing in the eyes of all residents and the traveling public, and a joy forever. In years to come when old age overtakes
us we may be able to sit ‘neath the shade of the old maple trees. All this has been made possible by gifts of money,
material and labor from residents and others who came to our assistance.
We also had been made very happy by the gift of a club room, in the old seed-house, for our sole use. Having been vacated
by the owner, it was fitted up by the members in a very convenient and nice manner. This is another means in which we can
reach the community in a helpful way, by giving them harmless entertainments which will enliven some of the dull hours of
our quiet town and also cater to the inner man: “The turn-pike road to people’s hearts I find, lies through their
mouth, or I mistake mankind.”
After the seed house was occupied again, we had a room in the new feed store and the use of the Hall, which gave us many
opportunities of reaching the public.
Library
Along the years 1912-13, our thought’s turned to the necessity of a public library. So the subject was talked over
and donations of books, magazines, etc. were solicited. And many gifts of all kinds of books were sent in, until a suitable
place to store them became a necessity. The old Land Office seemed a very desirable location, situated in the heart of the
village, easy of access. So application was made at headquarters, and success attended us. Soon our library became a reality.
The Club members put the building is good shape, furnished it with chairs, tables, book-cases, rugs and everything needful
for the comfort of its guests. In 1913, Mrs. McConnell was installed as librarian and 14 years she gave her services unreservedly
one afternoon in each week to caring for the loan of books to the public, which was a work well and faithfully done and has
the thanks of her many friends in the village and surrounding country.
The time came when it was announced that we must vacate this little building which had been so dear to us as meeting place,
where we knew there was a kind word awaiting all – both old and young. It was a great mistake for us to have allowed
it to pass from our hands. And had we taken the fore-thought and applied to the executors of the estate it would surely have
been our for a length of years, the same as the Village Green was given us to use as long as we cared to take good care of
it.
Since this time a bequest has been received from authoress Marietta Holley, to the Pierrepont Manor Library. Also one from
the late Editor W.J. Allen. In 1923 the building used was given over to a dwelling. As the Parish House was not in use at
the time, it was offered for the storage of the books until needed. It remained there 3 years and then as the Church has a
use for the building, they moved again to a room in the old Hotel, where it still remains (1928).
In 1915 a large American Flag was presented to the Club by the president, Mrs. Grenell. In 1928 a new cement walk was placed
from the bridge up North Street. In 1929 Oliver McConnell came to our rescue in the ownership of the old Land Office, and
we were to have the use of it for a library while he lived.
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