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Uxbridge Free Public Library

Buildings and structures in Uxbridge, MassachusettsLibraries in Worcester County, MassachusettsLibrary buildings completed in 1894Public libraries in Massachusetts
Exterior of the Uxbridge Public Library
Exterior of the Uxbridge Public Library

The Uxbridge Free Public Library is the public library in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. It opened in 1875. The first library in the town of Uxbridge was the Uxbridge Social and Instructive Library (1775–1812), managed by George Southwick at his store in the Quaker City section of South Uxbridge. The sixth was the Uxbridge Agricultural Society (1859–1864). Most of these small libraries were subscription libraries that required dues and assessments. In 1874, the Uxbridge voters elected six trustees to set up a free library. They met on April 18, 1874 to organize the Uxbridge Free Public Library. It opened in the FW Barnes jewellery store on South Main Street on January 20, 1875. After five years, the free library moved into the Town Hall. On June 20, 1894. the library's new home, the Thayer Memorial building, was dedicated . Edward Carrington Thayer, a local business man and banker, had built it and donated it to the town in memory of his parents, Joseph and Chloe Taft Thayer The Thayer Memorial building was designed by Fuller & Delano of Worcester as architects and the building contract to Urgel Jacques of Worcester. Thayer spent $28,000 for the building, $4,000 for the land and $1,500 for furnishings, for a total of $33,500. The Thayer Memorial building still houses the Uxbridge Free Public Library.

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Uxbridge Free Public Library
North Main Street,

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Latitude Longitude
N 42.07742 ° E -71.62994 °
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North Main Street 15
01538
Massachusetts, United States
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Exterior of the Uxbridge Public Library
Exterior of the Uxbridge Public Library
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Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Uxbridge, Massachusetts

Uxbridge is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States, first colonized in 1662 and incorporated in 1727. It was originally part of the town of Mendon, and named for the Earl of Uxbridge. The town is located 36 mi (58 km) southwest of Boston and 15 mi (24 km) south-southeast of Worcester, at the midpoint of the Blackstone Valley National Historic Park. The historical society notes that Uxbridge is the "Heart of The Blackstone Valley" and is also known as "the Cradle of the Industrial Revolution". Uxbridge was a prominent Textile center in the American Industrial Revolution. Two Quakers served as national leaders in the American anti-slavery movement. Uxbridge "weaves a tapestry of early America".Indigenous Nipmuc people near "Wacentug" or “Waentug” (river bend), deeded land to 17th-century settlers. Uxbridge reportedly granted rights to America's first colonial woman voter, Lydia Taft, and approved Massachusetts first women jurors. The first hospital for mental illness in America was reportedly established here. Deborah Sampson posed as an Uxbridge soldier, and fought in the American Revolution. A 140-year legacy of manufacturing military uniforms and clothing began with 1820 power looms. Uxbridge became famous for woolen cashmeres. "Uxbridge Blue", was the first US Air Force Dress Uniform. BJ's Wholesale Club distribution warehouse is a major employer today. Uxbridge had a population of 14,162 at the 2020 United States Census.