The following history is based on a talk given by library trustee Francis Stein at the Trustees meeting, April 5, 1971.
It was through the efforts of the Reverend Charles W. Tomlinson that in 1897 the library was chartered and opened at a location on East Union Street. Dr. Tomlinson was the “father of the library”. The first charter was a five-year provisional charter granted by the Board of Regents.
Mr. Henry C. Rew, born April 2, 1839, in Maumee, Ohio, moved with his family to Newark where they lived at the corner of Mason and High Streets, the present library location. He was educated in Newark, went on to Albany, Buffalo, and finally Chicago. After a successful career, he was forced to retire in 1900 because of ill health.
In the interim, he presented the old homestead as a site for the Newark Public Library with $25,000 for construction of the building, contingent upon the annual pledge of the Village and Town to maintain the building.
The cornerstone was laid October 1900, under Masonic auspices.
Mr. Rew provided bountifully from his Chicago home Oriental vases, pottery, statuary and relics for decoration. These are still in the library.
In later years Mr. Rew and his heirs continued to make cash gifts, some in the form of matching grants. Although it was suggested that it be named the Rew Library, Mr. Rew preferred that it be known as the Newark Public Library. A stained glass window, in memory of Mr. Rew’s wife, and a large plaque in the vestibule testify to his generosity.
The northeast wing construction in 1937 was funded by a $3,500 WPA grant, $2,000 from the library, and $1,500 from the village. This $1,500 was the only construction cost paid by the village in 65 years.
In 1954, with $100,000 from the Wales Nichols estate, the northwest wing was built. At the same time, making the additional practical, the Hoffman estate rented a portion of the building to house the Hoffman Clock Museum. In 1957, they contributed $10,000 for record and filmstrip collections, reference, technical, and educational books and magazines.
The Comstock Foundation and anonymous sources have made contributions totaling several thousand dollars.
During 1964 the Newark Lions Club and Newark Jaycees made contributions for capital improvements and books.
A bequest by John C. Graham in 1963 made possible the opening of the Childrens’ Room on the lower level. A plaque may be found at the right of
the entrance honoring the memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Graham.
