Branford | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative | James Blackstone Memorial Library
Master storyteller Bill Harley playing to an all ages crowd. Bill O’Brien Photos.
When the openers of the first James Blackstone Memorial Library time capsule unearth it in the late 2040s, they will find a treasure trove of artifacts that tell the tale of the 125-year-old Branford institution and its long-standing and evolving history in the city.
They will find stories from Branford residents including one about the woman who funded the library’s children’s section in the 1970s. They’ll also find a library mousepad, pencils and a defining hallmark of a historical global pandemic—a face mask.
“We [meticulously] researched the do’s and don'ts of how to make and keep a time capsule,” library Director Katy McNicol said.
The library even bought a special time-capsule kit and paper to better preserve the items. “Many submissions were stories and photos, but we had some items as well.”
The band, Covergirl, rocked the afternoon away! Bill O’Brien Photos.
Mary-Rita Killelea and Patricia Sanders, library board of trustee members, organized the community submission box and an online form to encourage people to submit items to the capsule. Residents of Branford responded with some 50 submissions.
The time capsule was one of several ways that the library marked its 125th birthday during the last week of June—a celebration that came a year late because of the aforementioned pandemic.
McNicol said in addition to finally having the opportunity to celebrate the library’s milestone anniversary; it also was a chance to commemorate renovations completed in 2019.
Michelle Blank, another member of the library board of trustees, spearheaded the celebration and the board planned the event with much enthusiasm, McNicol said. She said the board chose June 25 on the library’s law for the official celebration because it was a Saturday and it coincided with the Branford town fireworks display.
Family enjoying the day. Bill O’Brien Photos.
Leading up to the in-person celebration, library staff shared facts about the history and architecture of the building on the library website. Of note, library goers who visit the archives room can find an heirloom belonging to none other than James Blackstone, the library’s namesake.
In addition to the sealing of the library’s time capsule, celebrants had the opportunity to apply their artistic hand to library coloring pages and pamphlets – an idea that was inspired by the New York Public Library, according to Librarian Sarah Guglietti.
“We wanted to make a personalized pamphlet featuring books and magazines our staff likes to read,” she said.
Attendees to the big birthday bash also got to enjoy story telling, a complimentary picnic lunch, live music, lawn games and the chance to “meet” Timothy Beach Blackstone, the man who gave Branford its library and the son of the library’s namesake. Beach Blackstone donated $600,000 to the library building that was dedicated June 17, 1896. He also donated his private collection of 5,000 books.
Timothy Blackstone, aka Jon Nichols, and library Director Katy McNicol holding the 25-year time capsule. Bill O’Brien Photos.
Library board member Don Gentile’s husband did the honors of portraying Blackstone, the younger, after having researched Blackstone’s life. He spent the day answering questions in the way that Blackstone might have answered them 125 years ago.
The library’s birthday bash was a huge success, according to McNicol. In fact, neither she nor the board imagined how great a success it would be.
“We hoped, of course, for a big turnout, as it happened,” McNicol said. “But we didn't know what to expect. We were ecstatic to see so many people show up to gather and celebrate with us.”
Librarian Guglietti agreed, voicing her admiration for the tight knit Branford community.
“The events usually bring many people,” she said. “Hundreds show up to help the library and are happy to have it in the community. The townspeople raised $3 million to help renovate the building.
“Three hundred people signed up to a mini golf event last year, showing their excitement and gratitude that the library is remaining a deep connector in the community,” she added. “People actually love to come here and enjoy their time.”
This piece comes to the Arts Paper through the fifth annual Youth Arts Journalism Initiative (YAJI), a program of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. Read more about the program here or by checking out the "YAJI" tag. Amelia Stefanovics is a rising senior at Hill Regional Career High School.