The Woman's Literary Club of Chestertown, Maryland

The Woman’s Literary Club of Chestertown was formed in 1902 when eleven young Chestertown women got together for their ‘literary improvement’. The Club opened the Chestertown Library in 1907 and it continued to operate as a private small library for almost one hundred years. .

The Chestertown Library, Inc.was formed in 1943 in order for the Woman’s Literary Club of Chestertown to purchase a building at 127 High Street in Chestertown known as the Cahall Store in order to expand their library.

The Board of the Chestertown Library, Inc. operated the Chestertown Library along with the Woman’s Literary Club of Chestertown in this location until 2002 when the building was sold for a second time and the rent was increased. After the closing of the Library, the Woman’s Literary Club established a partnership with the Kent County Public Library and the Kent County Commissioners to renovate a historic building, 207 Calvert St., located behind the public library building in Chestertown in exchange for meeting rights twice a month.

In June, 2004, The Chestertown Library, Inc., with funds set aside for contingencies during the renovation of the Chestertown Library, Inc. Building at 207 Calvert Street, donated $2650.00 to the Kent County Commissioners for the construction of a brick memorial walk from the front of the Chestertown Library, Inc. Building around to the side entrance.

More than 100 bricks have been placed in the brick memorial walk. The Woman’s Literary Club manages the sale of the bricks and any profit is donated to the Library. The Woman’s Literary Clubs installed thirty eight bricks honoring all of the librarians of the Chestertown Library, Inc. along with the special people who nurtured the library for many years including Rafael J. Guastavino, who was the library’s financial advisor. Among other the names one will find George Rudolph Brown, former Acting Chief of Police of Chestertown; Sheriff Allan Blizzard, Judge Elroy G. Boyer; Jeanne K. Geibel, Loyal Librarian, 30 years; Elmer E. Horsey, Mayor; Celebrating pure sea glass – R. LaMotte; Joe Massey – In gratitude – the Friends; Sarah Meredith, Faithful Volunteer; in memory of ‘Hound Dog’ Brown; The Questers, Lambert Wickes Chapter; in memory of William “Shadow” Warren, Jr.; Carol Wilson, Historian; For Love of Books and Kids by Grandbarrows; Judith Reveal, Writer; Adel France, Founder, WLC, 1902; Hazel O. Walsh, Devoted Reader – Loving Mother; The McDonalds – Pat Reads Books – Paul Does Banjo; Good Books, Good Friend – Virginia Croker; Friend Teacher, Gail Jandy Livingstone; Movies Are Magic – Patricia Molloy; in memory of Governor W. Donald Schaefer; Husband – Father – Bruce A. Somers 1950-2011; Chris Roseberry – Queen Bee 1980-2010; in memory of Frank Perdue.

For information about purchasing a memorial brick, call Joan Horsey, 410-778-0340.

Chestertown's Fire Siren!

Chestertown's fire siren has been broken for a long time. Am wondering how residents would be warned in case of an emergency such as a tornado?