Here you see one of Brooklin’s treasures earlier this week, still sporting a holiday wreath. It’s the Friend Memorial Public Library, which has expanded and been modernized several times since its founding in 1912. In fact, it recently began a two-year campaign to raise funds to again revitalize and expand the building and grounds, and to assist with long-term operating expenses.
Moreover, the Library recently formalized an agreement with Jon Wilson to acquire his extensive and extraordinary maritime research library. He is the founder and prior owner of two of Brooklin’s other treasures, the famed WoodenBoat School and WoodenBoat Publications.
It’s expected that Jon’s 6,700 books and additional rare documents will be part of a Maritime Research Center available to FMPL users once the Library’s overall expansion is completed sometime in 2026. (Image taken in Brooklin, Maine, on January 8, 2024.)