This undated photograph is believed to show the reading room of the Stillwater Library Association, possibly in the Jassoy Building, where the library was located beginning in 1895. The style of the woman’s dress suggests the 1890s.
Before Stillwater Public Library was established in 1897, residents borrowed books through a subscription library association, which charged an annual membership fee. During these early years, the library moved frequently and didn’t have a permanent home. The collection was housed in city council offices, in local businesses, and even in the city jail!
In November 1897, voters approved a tax-supported public library, making library access free to all residents. Construction on the library’s current home began in 1902 and opened to the public in 1903.
In 2027, we’ll celebrate 130 years as a free public library! Watch for more photos, stories, and features highlighting the library’s rich history throughout the upcoming year.
The photograph is part of the library’s John Runk Photo Collection. John Runk was a photographer and collector who documented Stillwater and the St. Croix Valley from the late 1800s through the mid-20th century. His photographs provide a remarkable visual record of the community’s people, places, and everyday life.