Skip to main content

Heritage Quilt Raises $6,000

By contributor,
quilt_1.jpg

Hopkinton Public Library Foundation’s Heritage Quilt raised $6,000 for the restoration, renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Public Library. Marathon Quilters, a small group of local quilters, are creating a unique and beautiful quilt that looks like a bookcase in our Library, with the spines of each book proudly displaying the names of over 80 local businesses, community groups, families and individuals who generously gave to the Heritage Quilt project. The signatures of several local and well-known authors, including Geraldine Brooks, Jenna Blum, and Laura Hillenbrand, also will appear on quilt spines. Once completed in the Spring of 2014, the Heritage Quilt will proudly hang in our Library.

Hopkinton Public Library Foundation wholeheatedly thanks the Marathon Quilters for their time and extraordinary creativity in crafting the Heritage Quilt, and sincerely thanks all those who gave to this historic project. Your contribution is helping to fulfill HPLF’s mission of raising private funds to defray the cost of the renovation and expansion of our beloved Library. Once completed, the 22,000 square foot library will be state-of-the-art, accessible, and “green”; yet maintain the character of the original historic building. With space for community events, a technology classroom for adults and students; and spacious, age appropriate rooms for children and teens, this library will be able to serve our community now and as it continues to grow.

The Heritage Quilt honors Hopkinton residents of the past and their long tradition of supporting our Library, and celebrates the residents and businesses of today who are committed to the future of this essential community resource. The original library building and collection were funded entirely by private donations. In 1893, former Hopkinton resident John Quincy Adams put forth a challenge: If the citizens of Hopkinton raised $10,000 and built a library within two years, he would give $4,000 toward the cost of the building. In just one day, current and former residents raised half of the money needed to meet his challenge. On January 1, 1895, the 1,650 foot gothic structure at 13 Main Street opened. Remarkably, with an average gift of little more than $900, fifteen members of the community collectively funded the entire cost of the library - $14,000 – including the construction, furnishings, and even the books. Today, Hopkinton residents and businesses once again have the opportunity to ensure that Hopkinton Public Library will serve the community for generations to come! For more information on HPLF’s exciting new challenge “1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library,” or for more information on the library project please visit the HPLF website at www.hplfinc.org.

About the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation
The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in September 2011. Its mission is to raise private funds to support the restoration, expansion and state-of-the-art renovation of Hopkinton Public Library. In addition to the $4.5 million grant awarded to the Town of Hopkinton by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), funds raised by HPLF will defray the Town’s cost of restoring, renovating and expanding the library’s historic building. In 2011, the MBLC approved Hopkinton’s plan for the renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Public Library and awarded Hopkinton a $4.5 million Library Construction Grant, approximately 45% of the $10.2 million total cost of the library building project. Hopkinton currently is #4 on the waiting list to receive these state construction funds, which could be awarded to Hopkinton as soon as 2014. Once completed, Hopkinton Public Library will provide a modern, accessible facility that meets the current and future needs of the community, while preserving and highlighting the architectural features of the beloved original building. For more information about HPLF’s mission, please visit the HPLF website at www.hplfinc.org. Contributions to Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc. can be mailed to P.O. Box 16, Woodville, MA 01784, or made online at www.hplfinc.org.