In A Newport Minute | 1796-1805

This video is the 3rd in our series, In A Newport Minute, created by the Newport Historical Society as part of Newport’s contribution to America Turns 250. Each installment highlights a moment in American history within a ten‑year span, beginning in 1776 and continuing to the present day.

Across these 25 short videos, we’ll explore how Newport grew, adapted, and evolved alongside the nation—sometimes in step with national events, sometimes in its own unique way. Our goal is to bring local history to life and show how our community’s story fits into the larger American narrative.

We invite you to follow along every two weeks as we share new chapters in Newport’s past.

Overview

This video traces the emergence and evolution of Newport, New Hampshire’s early libraries, focusing on the transition from private ownership of Bibles, almanacs, and schoolbooks to communal “social libraries” that broadened reading access. It highlights membership fees, lending rules, and notable early members who fostered literary discussion and civic engagement.

The narrative explains why the Newport Social Library dissolved mid‑19th century—rising public education, increased travel and newspapers, and a 1849 New Hampshire law enabling tax-supported libraries—and notes the later establishment of the Richards Free Library on Main Street by 1889.

All of the videos in the series can be viewed using the link below:

Photo Credits:

• Old European Antiques — 1800s Huge Lot of 30 Books (H.G. Wells, Charles Dickens, et al.) (oldeuropeantiques.com)
• Richards Free Library — History of the Richards Free Library Building (richardsfreelib.org)
• Library of Congress — New Hampshire History Photograph (loc.gov)
• Newport Historical Society – Archives
• Photo of the Church Home – Special thanks to Ray Reid for providing this image.

Key Words:

Bibles, almanacs, school books, novels, social library, Newport, membership fee, community, discussion, Sarah Hale, charter members, Samuel Church, Austin Corbin, William Cheney, Samuel Edes, Sylvanus Richards, David Hale, library location, homes, businesses, subscribing members, annual fee, book lending, nominal fee, James Breck’s Store, dissolution, tax-free education, public library, 1849 law, Richards Free Library, Main Street

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