An Old Townie Thinks about the Old Library

Priceless

The celebrations of Weston’s 300^th anniversary have been memorable for practically every resident—young and old.  From the reception at the town hall, to the “Farmers Precinct” exhibit displayed at the new library, to the wonderful music festival on the High School football field—it has all been just great.

And for those of us who grew up here, it has been a time to rekindle memories of what Weston life was like we were younger.  I still live in the house on Conant Road that I grew up in during the Fifties and Sixties.  That is not quite so far back as when Conant was called Forest Street or when the paved roads we use today were cow paths.

But it is far enough back for an older townie to sense some passage of time and history.  Playing in the woods as a boy, I enjoyed finding spotted salamanders and other critters.  Now we are annoyed by urbanized deer and other wildlife nuisances that intrude on our modern ways.

This is not simple townie nostalgia.  There is a passing thought about how growing up in Weston shaped our outlook on life and our ambitions.  Believe it or not, Weston’s public library instilled in me a great love for books that started me on a career path in public education.  I was going to become a librarian.  I wound up a media technologist, which a librarian of a more modern sort.

In the meantime, I have watched the Old Library and the Josiah Smith Tavern become buildings in need of help.  I remember fondly using the children’s room downstairs and the beautiful reading room upstairs at the Library.  I have had many good times in the Barn at the Josiah Smith Tavern.  How nice it would be to have a permanent place for the 300th exhibition and for community meetings that could be held in these two historic buildings.

What makes Weston so special is its history.  It would be a shame if Weston lost the public use of these buildings public for future generations.  The fate of the Old Library and the Josiah Smith Tavern should be decided together at the December 2 town meeting.

To do that, I urge my fellow townsmen to pass over all three articles at the June 17 Special Town Meeting.  In the perspective of 300 years, we should be willing to go a few more months for the sake of our town’s history and legacy.     

Henry Viles, 300 Conant Road