Handley Regional Library 1913-2013

Enriching Our Community,
Then and Now

As of August 22, 2013, Handley Regional Library will have been open to the public for 100 years. See video of some 2013 celebration plans on YouTube.

Te library offers several commemorative items.

• Reproductions of architectural drawings of Handley Library
• Commemorative pin showing front page of Winchester Evening Star when the library opened in 1913

You can order a book online.

Completed events:

• "Judge Handley and his gift to Winchester for library and schools" was presented by Dr. Dennis Kellison and Pat Ritchie on Aug. 15, 2012, Handley Library auditorium

• "A Vote for Murder" a murder mystery featuring local actors and actresses. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, desserts. Photos from Sat., Aug. 25, 2012. Many thanks to those who supported this library fundraiser!

   

• The public voted for a favorite 1960s-70s award-winning movie, and the winner was
  Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).  It was shown Wed., Mar. 30, 2011 at Handley Library.
  M*A*S*H (1970),  second top choice, was shown Wed., Oct. 12.  Both are sponsored by 100th Anniversary of Handley Regional Library & Magic Lantern Theater.

• Some Like it Hot, a part of the movie series "Pages from American Life"
  starring Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe & Tony Curtis. Wed., Sept. 29, 2010, Handley Library Auditorium, classic movie from 1946-1962, chosen by the public. 

• "A Century of Giving: Handley Regional Library Donors Make Library History"
  Wednesday, August 11, 2010, Handley Library Auditorium, 7 p.m.  Free program.
  To celebrate the library’s 97^th anniversary, a panel will discuss library donors throughout the library’s history.  The building, books, and art collections have all benefited from generous donors throughout the library’s history.  Over the years, the library has been given George Washington’s sister’s (?) china, swords, Chinese artifacts, art, as well as substantial financial gifts.  Read more.
  Panelists include Kay Wise, Glenene Brown, Rebecca Ebert, and Trish Ridgeway. 

• Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2010  "High Noon" classic movie shown, Handley Library Auditorium
  The public chose from five movies that were box-office hits between 1946 and 1962 as part of its ongoing
  celebration of the earlier years of the library’s history.  The library system and Magic Lantern Theater sponsored the movie.

• Exhibits on Holmes Conrad (1840-1915), first chairman of Handley Board of Trustees and personal friend of Judge John Handley.  Displays were in rotunda and lower level at Stewart Bell Jr. Archives Room. 

• August 12, 2009, Anniversary program about the life of Holmes Conrad, presented by Michael Foreman.  Handley Library Auditorium

• October 6, 2009, "It Happened One Night," classic movie, Handley Library Auditorium.

• March 31, 2009, Showing of classic movie "The Philadelphia Story."

• August 2, 2008, Exhibit of J. Stewart Barney's architectural designs, paintings, and other artifacts, Benham Upper Gallery, Handley Library. 

• Friday, August 15, 2008, "The Architectural Career of John Stewart Barney," Handley Library's original architect. 
  Mr. Bill Schroh, Jr., director of Liberty Hall Museum in New Jersey, presented a program on Barney's many achievements.  Many of Barney's personal belongings and paintings are owned by the museum.

• May 24, 2008, Cornerstone Rededication ceremony conducted by Winchester Hiram #21 Masonic Lodge. 

About the Celebration Plans:

Former Library Board Chairman Richard Stephenson and Library Director Trish Ridgeway serve as co-chairpersons of the library’s 100^th Anniversary Committee, which is made up of members of the community. Subcommittees of this group are program, art, book, finance and fund-raising, and public relations.

The 100^th Anniversary Committee has planned a series of centennial events to tell the history and architecture of this beautiful building that has become an area institution. Each year the library will offer tours, a special centennial lecture with a noted speaker, exhibits, and other fun events, such as films with Magic Lantern Theater and readings with Winchester Little Theatre to emphasize periods through which the library operated. The culmination of the years of celebration will be the production of a book, a DVD, and a grand gala in August of 2013.

The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives staff is researching library history.  They will collect oral histories, find news articles written about the library, and acquire additional photographs taken of the library during its history.

Anyone who has photographs of the library, especially the interior, old library cards or brochures, or special memories of the library, are asked to share them with the library this year.