Happy New Year! The perfect way to kick off 2024 is with a library post. Welcome to the Ivoryton Library.

Ivoryton is located in south-central Connecticut. It was initially part of the Saybrook Colony which was established in the early 1600s on Pequot land. Essex was annexed in 1859 and by the late 19th century, the village of Ivoryton, which is part of the town of Essex, became the world center of the ivory industry, processing “up to 90% of the ivory imported into the US” [1].

The library is in Ivoryton’s historic district which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Ivoryton was a company town and the library is part of that legacy. The library was established in 1871 and the building completed in 1889. It is one of the oldest libraries in the state still operating in its original building.

The town takes great pride in its history and images of elephants abound. The sign above the window reads, “Ivoryton Library, Since 1889, Public Library, Local History.”

An elephant statue, or two, sits atop a time capsule that was buried on August 14, 2021 to celebrate the library’s 150th anniversary.

This abstract railing detail brings to mind an elephant’s eye and trunk.

Wooden book sculptures that were part of the library’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2021.

Book drop on the front porch. Notice the elephant hook above.

The entry hall as seen when you walk through the front door.

Straight ahead is the main library room.

The woman pictured is Queen Louise of Prussia. The sign in the lower right corner of the frame states that she was Consort of King Fredrick William III (1776-1810) and the painting is by Gustav Karl Ludwig Richter (1832-1884).

Just behind your left shoulder as you walk through the front door is the DVD, audiobooks, and magazine room.

The view out the front window. I like the stained glass around the edge of the window. On a sunny day it casts a nice glow in the room.

A short gate atop stairs leading down to the childens section.

Close-up of the “Bookworm” who greets visitors and watches over the staircase. Bronze sculpture by Ailene Fields.

The main library room. I asked the librarian if it was okay to take a photo with her in it. She was very friendly and said of course! The front part of the room holds fiction and on the other side of the bookcases that divide the room is adult nonfiction and YA.

At the end of the room the original fireplace. A glass display case filled with their Library of Things sits in front of the fireplace. Imagine walking into the library on a cold winter’s day in the late 19th century and being greeted by a cheery fire.

Notice the purple stained glass panels in the windows. The wood paneling and shelves make this such a warm and cozy library (even without the fireplace in action).

Cather on the shelf. A Lost Lady looks a bit swamped by the bigger books surrounding it, but Cather’s slim novel packs a punch. It was published in September 1923.

The Young Adult section. Another beautiful window edged with stained glass. See the elephants? They are in every room in some form. I wonder if anyone has ever counted them.

The Biography section and beginning of YA. Books are always the stars of a library, but I am in love with this library’s windows.

To the right is some classic literature on the mantel of the original fireplace. Below that is some local history and in the case a Library of Things.

Guardian of the books.

Next to the main library room is the local history and archives room.

Binders, archival boxes, rolled maps. A swoon-worthy still life photograph for history buffs.

A few more elephants. A light plate switch and a stained glass elephant holding a screwdriver. There has to be an interesting story behind that image.

Below are two historic photos of elephant tusks, the ivory from which Ivoryton earned its name. The town’s celebration of elephants is bittersweet. Elephants were/are slaughtered for their tusks. The local businesses that made piano keys, combs, buttons, and so much more were fulfilling national and international demand for such items in a time before plastic.

The caption reads: “One of the two largest tusks ever recorded. Elephant shot 1898, Base of Mt. Kiliminjaro (sic). Purchased at Zanzibar by Arnold Cheney & Co. Wt. 228 and 232 lbs. respectively. One in British Museum of Natural History, South Kensington. Price for 2 tusks 1000 L Sterling (About $5,000.00).

The caption reads: “The great “Kilimnjaro (sic) Tusks,” the largest pair of Elephant’s Teeth of which there is any authentic record, as they stood outside the carved teakwood doorway of Ernest D. Moore’s house in Zanzibar. c-1907-1911. He was Ivory buyer for Pratt, Read & Co.”

The children’s section and restroom are downstairs.

A wall featuring local history images, cards, and letters.

The childrens section has a dedicated librarian who creates engaging programming for area kids. Notice the backdoor.

The back of the library. Outdoor play area and a StoryWalk.

I enjoy these StoryWalks. The whole book is printed on weather proof panels. You can see the backs of “pages” in the photo above. This must be fun for kids and its a book that can be read even when the library is closed.

A side view of the library. This building is charming from all angles.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick visit to the Ivoryton Library. If you’re in the area or find yourself passing through, it is worth a stop. It is not everyday you can step foot inside such a well-preserved, small town 19th century library.

Ivoryton Library
106 Main Street
Ivoryton, CT
Website: ivorytonlibrary.org

Date visited: September 7, 2023

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[1] “Ivory Cutting: The Rise and Decline of a Connecticut Industry – Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project.” 2022. Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project – Stories about the People, Traditions, Innovations, and Events That Make up Connecticut’s Rich History. June 24, 2022. https://connecticuthistory.org/ivory-cutting-the-rise-and-decline-of-a-connecticut-industry/.

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Check out more of my library visits, including the Essex Library.

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