History of the library
The First Library Association of Easthampton was organized in 1792 by Reverend Payson Williston, the first minister of Easthampton, just seven years after the incorporation of the town. This social library had 30 stockholders and was housed in the parsonage. In 1841 the library merged with the Youth’s Library Association and became known as the Easthampton Social Library Association.
In 1869, Samuel, the son of Payson Williston, and a group of notable citizens of the town, officially incorporated The Public Library Association of Easthampton and a financial appropriation was received from the town. In 1871 the Association was authorized to form and maintain a museum in concert with the library.
10 years later the library had outgrown its quarters in the Town Hall. Emily Williston, widow of the late Samuel Williston, responded with a major gift of $16,000 to construct a new library. The building was designed by Boston architects Peabody and Stearns and constructed on a piece of land at the end of Park Street. On February 23, 1881 the building was opened to the public.
On the Library Association’s 125th anniversary, the Library was renamed the Emily Williston Memorial Library and Museum
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