December 19, 2009
The Frank L. McGuire Maritime Library:
A Progress Report by Brian Rogers
Our growing library has seen some important changes in recent months. The most visible of these is the influx of donated book collections from Robert Bachman of Waterford and the estate of Dan Wolverton, and a notable collection of ship models and books from Robert Stewart of Mystic. Archie Chester continues to donate useful books, while more recent donors include Jennifer Hillhouse, Roger Clements, Oliver Porter, Stan Gaby and the planning office of the City of New London. We have also bought a number of choice titles from Bill Abt of Mystic, a dealer in nautical books. This welcome activity has called for some adjustment of the shelving so that the new material, well over 650 volumes, could be accommodated while awaiting cataloging. This project will begin early in 2010 with two new library volunteers. Among the many nautical topics represented in the new material are U.S. and British naval history (including the War of 1812,) marine art, the great age of sail, polar exploration, yachting, fishing schooners, liners and merchant ships, and submarines.
This past summer Robert Stewart gave us ten exquisite models of 20th century American and British passenger and merchant vessels, each in its own display case. These are now displayed in the McGuire Library, adding to the already inviting ambience of our reading room, whose handsome floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall cherry bookcases were designed by Benjamin Martin and expertly crafted by the late cabinetmaker Bob Chalmers. In October Bob Stewart supplemented the models with his extensive book collection on ship model building and many well-illustrated books on passenger liners, merchant ships, and sailing vessels.
Our book holdings are listed in the Connecticut State Library online catalog, "iConn," a system enabling Connecticut residents to locate a book wherever it may be held in libraries across the state. The ID number of one's public library card is required to enter the system, and from there it is relatively easy to determine what libraries own a given book. Susan Tamulevich and Library Volunteer Brian Rogers attended an iConn training session in November.
We have also made progress in organizing our non-book materials. Some of these, like Harold Cone's extensive research notes on New London history, and the glass-plate negative photographs, have been at the Custom House for many years. Other material, including New London-related articles in l9th century illustrated newspapers, historic photographs and postcards, and manuscripts of various kinds, needs to be inventoried so we can let the public know what we have. We will publicize these holdings in a new library component in our website currently being planned. In the meantime, an exhibit of selected books, newspapers and photographs from the library has been on view on the main floor this fall and will continue into January, and we will exhibit other library items from time to time in the future.
The Frank L. McGuire Maritime Library was named in memory of the late New London attorney after his death in 1990. Frank was a founder of the New London Maritime Society, working closely with the late Lucille Showalter and many others to save the landmark Custom House, rehabilitate it and turn it into a museum of New London's maritime heritage. Among other things, he was instrumental in raising nearly a half million dollars for this work. The library was re-dedicated to Frank's memory at the Maritime Society's annual Christmas celebration on December 17.
Naming of the Archibald J. Chester, Jr. Reading Room
The following announcement was made by Library Volunteer Brian Rogers directly after his remarks regarding the re-dedication of the Frank L. McGuire Maritime Library at the Society Christmas Party on December 17, 2009.
One of the McGuire Library's most devoted friends for many years has been long-time board member Archie Chester.
For a long time now Archie has been donating books to the collection, usually in memory of family members or ancestors. The books just appear from time to time, marked by one or another of Archie's distinctive rubber stamps that specify in whose memory they have been given. We have no idea how many books have come to us in this way, but the number is considerable.Archie has been a loyal board member, helping to see the Museum through good times and bad. He has introduced friends to the Maritime Society and brought at least one, Bob Stewart, to board membership. He serves as a docent on a regular basis. He hosts the 2nd-Friday cribbage games in the brick-walled function room off the spruced-up Lower Level corridor. Some of Archie's book donations occupy a bookcase in that room, and a companion case was recently placed there to house Bob Stewart's collection of ship modeling books. Our grandfather clock now stands there too, under Robert Mills's graceful ceiling arches. With its red-brick walls and ceiling reminding us of its early 19th century origins, and the ship models on display, the room is one of the most characterful in the building, suitable for meetings, discussions, classes, receptions or even intimate dinner parties. As more Museum programs and exhibits take place on the Lower Level, this room will become an even more visible feature of the Custom House.
To honor Archie Chester for his manifold contributions to the New London Maritime Society over many years, and for his abiding loyalty to the Custom House Museum, I have been given the privilege of announcing that this room of which I speak is to be known henceforth as the Archibald J. Chester, Jr. Reading Room. I'm sure he will forgive us if we refer to it as the "Archie Chester Room," or even, when in a hurry, as the "Chester Room." No matter how we say it, it has a nice ring. Congratulations, Archie, and thank you!
