Sesquicentennial!

• 02/17/2026
• 11:37
• Dori Gottschalk-Fielding

This year, Seymour Library – incorporated in May 1876 — is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

A Legacy Takes Root

Seymour Library’s story began with an act of civic generosity.  In 1875, James Seymour – a local banker – passed away, leaving a substantial bequest of $22,500 in cash plus $7,500 in real estate to establish a library in Auburn. His bequest came at a pivotal moment in American library history—just one year before the American Library Association would be founded and Melvil Dewey would publish his Decimal Classification System.

The Seymour Library Association was incorporated in 1876 and secured space on the second floor of the Auburn Savings Bank, now known as the Phoenix Building. The following year, Mattie Bullard became the library’s first librarian, shouldering the considerable task of building a collection from the ground up. She carefully selected, purchased, and processed the first 6,000 volumes, creating the foundation of what would become a vital community resource.

Seymour Library officially opened in October 1878. Like many libraries of the era, it operated on a subscription model, charging patrons $2 per year—an impediment for some working families at the time. Yet even with this barrier, the library quickly became integral to Auburn’s intellectual life.

Expanding Access and Embracing Innovation

The 1880s and 1890s witnessed a gradual democratization of library services that mirrored broader progressive movements across the nation. In 1881, Auburn’s Board of Education recognized Seymour Library’s educational value, proposing to pay $200 annually to open the library’s collections to public school students aged twelve and older. This partnership reflected growing recognition that public libraries were essential to an educated citizenry.

The library also kept pace with technological advancement. In 1886, trustees proposed installing electric lighting—a cutting-edge innovation when electric power was just beginning to illuminate American cities. 

Discussions about eliminating subscription fees intensified throughout the 1890s. In 1895, trustees unanimously voted to establish a free library, finally removing financial barriers and increasing accessibility.

A Monumental Gift

As the library embraced free access, it also outgrew its cramped quarters above the bank. In 1896, Willard Case, a local inventor and businessman, offered to fund a purpose-built library on the former site of the Genesee Street School. The building would honor his parents, Theodore Pettibone Case and Frances Fitch Case. Willard held a design competition that attracted 123 submissions, ultimately selecting an exterior design by the prestigious architects Carrere and Hastings—who would later design the iconic New York Public Library.

Construction began in 1901 and the Case Memorial, a magnificent Beaux Arts structure of brick and limestone, rose through the collaborative efforts of contractors from Auburn, Syracuse, Rochester, and New York City.  Artisans, many recently immigrated from Europe, carved intricate woodwork and ornamental details that would make the building a lasting architectural treasure.  

In November 1902, the library closed its bank location and began the task of moving its collection. Mattie Bullard retired after 25 years of dedicated service and Elizabeth Porter Clarke assumed leadership as the new librarian. On New Year’s Day 1903, the library officially opened in its grand new home, welcoming 1,000 visitors who marveled at the elegant interior—even as artisans continued putting finishing touches on the decorative elements.

Serving a Changing Community

The early 20th century found Seymour Library constantly adapting to meet Auburn’s evolving needs. By 1909, the Children’s Room was serving an increasingly diverse population, with growing numbers of immigrant children—Italian, German, Greek, and Russian families—using its collections. The library maintained 70 braille books, demonstrating commitment to accessibility.

In 1910, the library launched an innovative outreach effort focusing on industrial workers. Recognizing that “shop-men” needed technical resources, the library purchased books on machinery and tools and distributed reading lists in factory payroll envelopes. The initiative proved so successful that the library ordered second and third copies of popular trades titles. This responsiveness to community needs extended beyond the building’s walls: 600 volumes circulated to elementary schools, while special collections served the prison and city jail.

The library continued exploring creative ways to reach patrons, including considering placing books in factory lunchrooms. By 1913, the library’s collection had grown to 25,000 volumes and included specialized holdings in German and Italian, reflecting Auburn’s immigrant communities. The library maintained three copies of Carr’s Guide for the Immigrant, helping newcomers learn American laws, history, and customs.

Looking Forward

From James Seymour’s founding bequest to the magnificent Case Memorial, from subscription-based access to free service for all, from 6,000 volumes to 25,000—Seymour Library’s first four decades established enduring principles: responsive collection development, technological innovation, equitable access, and deep engagement with community needs. 

The advent of WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII would bring more changes and challenges to Seymour Library. Watch for a blog on those events later this year, as well as other social media posts about Seymour Library’s history!