Library History
![John Day Ferguson portrait](/sites/default/files/2021-05/ps_p134_1.png)
Library history timeline photos from our archive. Featured photo is a portrait of John Day Ferguson, whose bequest of $10,000 in 1877 started the Ferguson Library.
Additional Items
Dr. Payne
![Dr. Payne portrait](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1882-dr-payne.jpg)
Owned the building on Atlantic Street where the library first opened in 1882.
Geib Property
![Historic library at Geib property on Atlantic Street](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1889-geib.jpg)
In 1889, the Ferguson Library moved to the Geib property on Atlantic Street.
Bedford & Broad
![Crowd of children in library ca. 1909](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1909-bedford.jpg)
Children at the library once it moved to its present location at Bedford & Broad in 1909.
Main Library Expansion
![Main Library building after first expansion in 1930](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1930-main-library.jpg)
The Main Library building underwent its first expansion in 1930.
Bookmobile
![Historic busmobile from 1940](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1940-busmobile.jpg)
The Ferguson Library began bookmobile service in 1940.
Weed Memorial Branch
![Weed Memorial Branch exterior ca. 1954](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1954-weed-memorial.jpg)
Weed Memorial Branch opens in Springdale in 1954.
Turn of River Branch
![Turn of River Branch](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1967-river-branch.jpg)
In 1967, the Turn of River Branch opened in North Stamford.
South End Branch
![Children reading at South End Branch ca. 1970](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1970-south-end-branch.jpg)
The South End Branch opened in the South End Community Center in 1970.
Friends of Ferguson Library
![Original Friends logo](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1979-renovation-expansion.jpg)
Friends of the Ferguson library was incorporated in 1979.
Second Main Library Expansion
![Main Library exterior following second expansion in 1982](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1982-2nd-expansion.jpg)
In 1982, the second expansion of the Main Library building was completed.
Ferguson Library Foundation
![People at public computer stations](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1987-library-foundation.jpg)
People at public computer stations in 1987, the year the Ferguson Library Foundation was incorporated.
Purple Bus
![Purple Bus](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1997-purple-bus.jpg)
Ferguson Library's iconic purple bus began service in 1997.
Library Café
![People ordering at library cafe](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-1999-dvds.jpg)
In 1999, a Starbucks opened at the Main Library.
Harry Bennett Branch
![Harry Bennett Branch exterior](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-2000-harry-bennet.jpg)
The Harry Bennett Branch opened in 2000.
Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch
![Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch exterior](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-2006-online-help.jpg)
After a renovation, the Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch reopens in 2006.
Library Anniversaries
![South End Anniversary celebration](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-2010-south-end-40-bday-300x225.jpg)
In 2010, the South End Branch celebrated its 40th anniversary, and the Harry Bennett Branch celebrated its 10th.
More Library Anniversaries
![Librarian reads to children on the bookmobile](/sites/default/files/2021-05/history-2015-south-end-bday-300x225.jpg)
In 2015, the South End Branch celebrated its 45th anniversary, and the Bookmobile (pictured here) celebrates its 75th.