Swan Library History

A Little History Lesson

On April 2, 1895, Swan added a second codicil to his will, stating that he intended to build the library in his lifetime if his health permitted. If he died before he built the library or before it was complete, his ececutors should compete it as in the first codicil.

William and Emma Swan began looking at libraries at home and abroad, planning their gift to Albion. However, they had not begun the library when William died on November 10, 1896. The executors of the will, Emma Swan (1836-1904) and Judge Isaac Signor (1842-1935), now began the task of establishing the building, obtaining a charter, and hiring a librarian. These two executors would directly influence the library for the next thirty-nine years and their decisions still affect the library today.

Portrait of Mr. William Gere Swan circa 1893

Burrows Mansion Circa 1878, before becoming Swan Library, March 1900

.... The interior was complete by January, 1900, and was lavishly described by the Orleans Republican. "The reading room runs the length of the bulding on the north side. It is finished in oak, with two alcove brdiges supported by columns to break the space. Two cases for reference books are provided. The librarian's desk faces this room, while a window opens into the hall on her right for receiving and giving out books without disturbing readers. A door at her left communicates with the library. The cases are metallic, olive green, arranged both around the walls and in back to back stands. The trustees think the present housing will accomodate 14,000 volumes.

Miss Achilles
Swan's first Librarian, 1900s

Original Reading Room

Another view of the Main Floor as it originally looked.

A Little History Lesson
If you have ever been to Swan Library you'd know immediately walking in that this used to be a home. Yes, indeed this building was the former Burrows' Mansion. The following is a brief description of the founding of Swan Library 1890 - 1900. ...."The codicil went on to direct the executors to erect the building as soon as possible after his death; to state that if they county provided a lot, the library would be for the whole county, otherwise for Albion only; and that the executors should incorporate "The Swan Memorial Library Association" and turn over the building and remaining money to the association within five years of Swan's death.
On April 2, 1895, Swan added a second codicil to his will, stating that he intended to build the library in his lifetime if his health permitted. If he died before he built the library or before it was complete, his ececutors should compete it as in the first codicil. William and Emma Swan began looking at libraries at home and abroad, planning their gift to Albion. However, they had not begun the library when William died on November 10, 1896. The executors of the will, Emma Swan (1836-1904) and Judge Isaac Signor (1842-1935), now began the task of establishing the building, obtaining a charter, and hiring a librarian. These two executors would directly influence the library for the next thirty-nine years and their decisions still affect the library today. Portrait of Mr. William Gere Swan circa 1893
Evidently when the executors began to look for a spot to build their library, they found that $35,000 was not much to buy a lot, erect a building, and buy equipment and books, especially when George Pullman's $65,000 church dominated Court House Square. Deciding that they could not build a library builing, the executors bought the Roswell S. Burrows mansion, built in 1854 on the northwest corner of the Court House Square, for $6,000. The Burrows mansion seemed to be a good choice: it was on teh Court House Square between theprimary school in Central Hall and the high school on West Academy Street, and seemed huge in comparison to the two rooms occupied by the Albion Free Town and Albion Public Libraries. This mansion also had special meaning; Burrows had been the richest man in Albion, he had been William Swan's employer as the majority stockholder in teh Suspension Bridge, and he had been a staunch Baptist.
The plans for the change from a mansion to a library were made by architect J. Mills Platt of Rochester. In the first two weeks of April, 1899, local contractor Ozro Bates removed the addition on the rear and tore our the interior partitions in the mansion to give the contractors a clearer idea of what would be necessary for the conversion. Construction started in late spring under contratctor George P. Harris. The Burrows mansion was in a restrained Greek Revival Style. There were simple souble pilasters at the corners and in the center of the east and south sides. The bases of the central pilasters were supported by wide porches. Coupled Doric colums supported porticoes with flat roofs and solid balustraded that mathced the balustrade on the roof. There was a simple entablature with five small windows in the frieze on the front. The windows were six over six and all had shutters.
Burrows Mansion Circa 1878, before becoming Swan Library, March 1900
.... The interior was complete by January, 1900, and was lavishly described by the Orleans Republican. "The reading room runs the length of the bulding on the north side. It is finished in oak, with two alcove brdiges supported by columns to break the space. Two cases for reference books are provided. The librarian's desk faces this room, while a window opens into the hall on her right for receiving and giving out books without disturbing readers. A door at her left communicates with the library. The cases are metallic, olive green, arranged both around the walls and in back to back stands. The trustees think the present housing will accomodate 14,000 volumes.
Exerts from Books and Money, written by Albion Historian Neil Johnson. If you would like to continue reading the book, copies are available in the Friends of Swan Library Book Sale Room.	Miss Achilles Swan's first Librarian, 1900s
Reading Room 1912
Original Reading Room	Another view of the Main Floor as it originally looked.