Mary Byers Smith, granddaughter of John Smith, wrote in her book The Founding of Memorial Hall Library,

In 1870, a physician advised Smith to take an extended rest. The war (he was a staunch abolitionist) and his work had worn him down. Smith traveled to Europe. He wrote to his son that the “corner lot, where Joseph Abbott’s shop stood (in Andover before it burned down), would be a fine place for a Memorial Hall to be built… to keep in remembrance the names of those who gave up their lives in defending our flag and saving my country to God and Liberty.” He then proposed to head a subscription list for the purchase of land, construction, and building an endowment to “take care of the Library, if there should be one, and a Reading Room…”

Smith donated $25,000 to build the memorial and library with the stipulation that Andover residents raise an equal amount. Several committees were formed to fundraise during the year he was abroad. 655 subscriptions were received. However, the fund was still about $3,500 short. Then, someone remembered a soldiers’ monument fund with $4,500 in it. That money was quickly appropriated for the project.

J.F. Eaton was hired as architect and the contract was awarded to Abbott and Jenkins. In the cornerstone, laid September 19, 1871, is a list of all the Andover men enrolled in the Army and Navy during the “War of the Rebellion” and of the 46 who gave their lives in the service.

During the summer of 1872, the first Board of Trustees purchased 2,700 books. On May 1, 1873, Ballard Holt, 2nd, was appointed librarian and janitor. The Hall was formally opened on May 30, 1873 with pomp and circumstance.

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