A Memorial, A Gift: 1875
The Turner Free Library's story begins in the late nineteenth century. The Turner family had been Randolph residents for several generations, living in a home slightly to the north of where the library building now stands1. The four siblings of the Turner family - Seth Turner, Royal W. Turner, Abby W. Turner, and Anne M. Sweetser - decided to establish a free public library as a means of honoring their parents and as a gift to the entire Randolph community2.
The original library building was constructed in 1874 out of granite from Quincy and Randolph3. The library was two-and-a-half stories tall and covered 3,600 feet of ground. The Turner Library was officially dedicated for service on April 22nd, 1875, at which time the Turner family gave the library building, land, and a fund of $10,000 - approximately the equivalent of $270,000 today - to the Randolph community4.
The order of exercises at the library's dedication ceremony included the performance of an original hymn5:
To-day this temple stands,
The work of gen'rous hands,
A noble gift.
It comes to us unsought,
With richest blessings fraught;
And we, with grateful thought,
Our thanks uplift.
Here may our people meet,
And read at Wisdom's feet
Time's open page:
Here Science rears a throne,
And Art reveals her own;
While History makes known
Her lessons sage.
And thus, with simple state,
This Hall we dedicate
To Learning's ways.
Here may the thirsty mind
Unfailing waters find,
And food, that God-designed
Pure joys to raise.
And while these walls abide,
May no false teaching hide
Within their doors;
But this a treasure be
Of health and purity,
Where all shall enter free,
And share its stores.
The Turner Library was now officially open for service!