Moore Memorial Library
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In 1901, Rachael Beckwith
Moore, wife of Nathaniel Ford Moore, bought land in the village of Greene to
build a library. Rachael's sons, William Henry Moore and James Hobart Moore
spent their childhood in Greene and later became wealthy businessmen. Together
they controlled a company that helped found the National Biscuit Company, later
called Nabisco. They also controlled the Rock Island, Chicago and Pacific
Railway. William founded the Diamond Match Company and four companies that were
consolidated into the United States Steel Corporation. The Moore brothers
donated $65,000 for the library construction and $65,000 for books and
endowment. William's widow later left an additional $150,000 for the library's
endowment fund. After their mother, Rachael Moore died in 1909, the library
served as a memorial to her.
Construction of the library
began in 1901 and the library opened on January 28, 1904. The building is built
with Indiana sandstone and boasts stately Greek architecture. The marble
pillars, brick foundation, intricate wood carvings on the inside pillars, tiled
mosaic floors, and thick walls truly make Moore Memorial Library an impressive
structure. The Cynthia Raymond Room in the basement of the library was
dedicated in 1980. A local history museum is located on the third floor. An
addition in 2007 added a new teen and children’s area, computer lab,
amphitheater and reading garden. The library was named by the first trustees of
the library to honor the Moore family's generous gift to the village.
Generations of villagers and visitors have admired and appreciated the majestic
stone library, an august and beautiful reminder of the civic-minded Moores
whose descendants still support the library through the Edward S. Moore
Foundation.
In 1904, the library
consisted of 7,500 books. Today there are more than 38,000 items, 42 magazine
titles, 5 newspapers, a large print collection, Music CDs, Books on CD, DVDs, videos,
audio cassettes, and much more. For a complete listing visit the Your Library
at a Glance page.
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Last updated 10/19/09
