By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the March 15, 2025, edition of the Brookville American. This image of Dr. Maguire’s house, cropped from a larger view, was just too intriguing to overlook. Who was Dr. Maguire, where was this house, and what happened to it? The image is in the Metamora Oral History Project collection, which is now in the Brookville Library’s…
News
Once Upon a Time
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the May 18, 2022, edition of the Brookville American. I was a beautiful house – one of the most regal and unique in our entire county. I was a showplace in Laurel, and that’s saying a lot because at one time, the town of Laurel had some of the most lavish and ornate homes around. Laurel…
Revisiting the 1882 Atlas
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the July 3, 2024, edition of the Brookville American and is available in the book Forgotten Franklin County, volume 5. For the Forgotten Franklin County column of August 19, 2020, I wrote about Beers the Cartographer. Mr. Beers’ map company is the primary reason that we have the wonderfully detailed 1882 Atlas of Franklin County. Today’s…
Beers the Cartographer
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the August 19, 2020, edition of the Brookville American and is available in the book Forgotten Franklin County, volume 2. In the past, I have referred to our “standard” county reference books, which simply means they are the go-to books for the earliest and most concise history of our county. These books were compiled in the…
Encyclopedias, Magazines, Guides, and Book Covers
By Julie Schlesselman, Local History & Genealogy Department Manager, FCPLD This article ran in the December 27, 2023, edition of the Brookville American and is available in the book Forgotten Franklin County volume 5. Having been published in all of those renditions, in addition to scholarly publications and written about in newspaper articles – with a repertoire like that – you wouldn’t think the Beesleys would be included in a…
Jingle Books is Back!
‘Tis the season for giving, and you are invited to help provide free books to children of all ages during our Jingle Books event! Jingle Books allows patrons to donate new or gently used books with the intention of allowing other families who visit the library to choose a free book from the Jingle Books display as a gift for a child this holiday. There will be book bins to…
Painting Franklin County
Plein air painters will be capturing the beauty of Franklin County on canvas Oct. 17-19. Whether you are an artist or an appreciator of art, you’re welcome to join in on the festivities! Friday, Oct. 17 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Registration 7 p.m. – Teri Campbell presents: The New Canvas: Exploring Art in the Age of AI Saturday, Oct. 18 7 p.m. – Dinner (Courtesy of FCPLD’s Art…
Fall Book Sale Sept. 8-13
Stop by the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale coming up Sept. 8-13! We’ll have a huge selection of books from all genres, DVDS, CDs, and even audiobooks for great prices. The sale will be at Laurel Library Sept. 8-10, and at Brookville Library Sept. 10-13 during the library’s normal hours of operation. The sale will end at noon on Sept. 13.
Check Out a Maker Kit!
Check out our new DIY kits for adults! Each kit has all the supplies and a few resources to get started on a variety of projects. Kits in our Kit Library are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Included inside are the essential materials needed to complete the project, as well as simple instructions and starter resources. Kits are available at Brookville Library.
July Shoe Drive
School is starting again soon, and many kids are getting new shoes! Whitewater Valley Retired Teachers and Imagination Library of Franklin County want your used shoes! Donate at Brookville or Laurel Public Libraries during the month of July. Please bring clean, used shoes that are still in good condition. Any kind of shoe with a hard sole, and any size!