The Arah W. Prescott Library is the third Hooksett property to be added to the State Register of Historic Places.

It was recognized by the states Division of Historical Resources as an irreplaceable resource, meaningful to the history and traditions of New Hampshire residents and communities.

The history of the public library in Hooksett began in 1891, when the state passed a law designed to encourage towns that didn’t already have a public library to establish one. A Board of Library Commissioners was formed, and they were allowed to expend, upon application of any town having no free public library owned and controlled by the town, a sum not exceeding $100 for books to establish a free public library. In Hooksett that $100 was encouragement enough to bring the matter before the voters.

The March 1, 1893, town warrant, asked the town to elect a Board of Library Trustees and appropriate the money necessary to secure the gift of $100 worth of books from the state; the article passed. Three trustees were elected, and $25 was allocated in support of the library. In November of 1893, the books were received, and Hooksett’s first free public library opened in a corner of Town Hall. A local teacher, Jennie Abbott, was hired as librarian; she went on to serve until 1938.

By March of 1899, the librarian began pointing out the need for a library building and did so for the next several years.

The period from 1890 to 1915 was the golden age of philanthropy in New Hampshire’s library history. Of the 100 library buildings constructed in New Hampshire before 1930, only about 10 appear to have been erected wholly by community funds. Private initiative and generosity frequently made up for inadequate local revenues. Local citizens or summer visitors, grown wealthy through business enterprise or through careful frugality, often stepped forward to do what the local community could not do for itself.

In the spring of 1909, Arah W. Prescott made the town an offer – $3,000 to construct a separate library building. Prescott was the perfect benefactor – hard working, very involved in local civic affairs, a long-time supporter of the library and a man who knew the value of an education and a dollar. The town accepted his generous offer.

In the librarian’s report of the dedication on Feb. 3, 1910, she said: “Mr. Prescott has erected a beautiful building of brick, with slate roof. The inside finish is of quartered oak, with furniture to match. The book racks are of steel. Among the furnishings is an ornamental fireplace with brass fixtures. The building is lighted by electricity. The location is on a hill in one of the most charming spots in Hooksett village.”

As originally hoped, the library became a part of the social and educational life of the community.

Many thought of it as a supplement to the local schools. Educators opined that “mong the aids to an education is a public library where old and young, rich and poor, can get books to read and improve their minds.”

Others were interested in occupying their children and keeping them “from the evils with which they are surrounded.” Clearly the residents placed great value on the library; the Prescott building was a symbol of civic pride.

It served the town until 1973, when the library moved to the Duracrete building on Route 3.

In 1975, the voters allowed the newly formed Hooksett Historical Society use of the building to house and display various memorabilia of Hooksett interest, and it was renamed the Arah W. Prescott Historical Library. The Historical Society continues to occupy the building.

Kathie Northrup, chairman of the Hooksett Heritage Commission, completed the research and prepared the Inventory form/application.

“What a great little building this is. It’s very much like it was when built; so few changes have been made. The oak trim and wainscoting inside are beautiful, and the ornamental fireplace with oak mantelpiece and brass fixtures is still the centerpiece of the room,” Northrup said. “It’s quite a story of local philanthropy, education, and community.”

The Arah W. Prescott Library is now approaching 100 years of service to the town of Hooksett and its citizens, occupying a prominent location in the heart of the village near the Town Hall (ca. 1828) and other historic buildings.

Editor’s note: This article was submitted by Kathie Northrup of the Hooksett Historical Society.