Whitford Library
For nearly 50 years, the African mahogany-embellished Hamilton House library served as a comfortable sunny sanctuary for Mrs. Hamilton, where she relaxed, read and entertained guests. Her favorite place in the entire house was a chair strategically placed where she could peek through the library's large south-facing window and spy on confused visitors navigating the Japanese Yew maze to her front door. Mrs. Hamilton's father, successful entrepreneur George Champlin, thought a fitting place for his portrait is where you see it today. (Incidentally, the newly-acquired portrait of a very young Mr. Champlin now resides in our Mirror Room – that's another story.)
In the early 70's, our library became an extension of the Providence Public Library system in days when books were the preferred means of learning, entertainment, and mystery. Renamed the Whitford Library in honor of first Directors, Ruth and Ted, our library has served many visitors, some casual, others finding a home away from home. The current bibliomaster, Ed Dorian, finds himself in good company on a list of dedicated and shushing Hamilton House librarians. Ed takes his duties seriously, has reorganized our collection, and along with associate, Gloria Gianola, invites you to come in and enjoy the room, browse the collection of fiction, non-fiction, biography, mystery, large-print books, magazines, and a large
selection of movies on DVD and VCR tapes.
A cozy corner for delving into a novel. The fiction shelves of the library.
Ann, one of the library volunteers. Ruth, our librarian and first co-director of the House.