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Library Building


George A. and Emma B. Wiggin Memorial Library Building
Portsmouth Ave.

Early Libraries in Stratham

Association Library: First record = Dec. 10, 1793, called "Stratham New Library."
20 men including Nathan Wiggin gave 6 shillings each plus 2 shillings per year. John Dearborn was the first librarian.

Stratham Union Library: Established by a vote in 1799 and existed until 1822.

Stratham Athenaeum: 1863-1893 Founders included Annie Wiggin. Books were housed at the Congregational parsonage and the pastor acted as librarian.

Literary and Social Union: Started in 1876 as a "reading society." They collected so many books that they eventually named trustees and located the library in the Joseph S. Staples Store.

Stratham Town Library

In 1891, the state of NH passed a law requiring maintenance of free libraries and the Literary Union gave its library to the town. That same year the town appropriated $100 for the library. In 1896 the library was made free and in 1897 it moved into a room in the Town Hall with 1,200 volumes. In 1897 the library trustees report about the library:

  • 411 volumes (plus an additional 500 at the Athenaeum)
  • 50 withdrawals/day
  • 235 cardholders

Books in the Collection (That are still in today's library): The Country of the Pointed Firs, The Jungle Book, Uncle Tom's Cabin

Wiggin Memorial Library

In 1911, Emma B. Wiggin's will left $10,000 to build a public library building and named 3 library trustees (Odell, Laighton, and Annie Wiggin Scamman).

"Said trustees are to purchase a suitable lot on the main road near the village in Stratham...and are to erect thereon a library building, said building to be of brick or stone...to be known as the George A. and Emma B. Wiggin Public Library, and is given by me in memory of my late husband and in accordance with what I know to be his expressed desire for the welfare of his native town and its citizens." The building's architect was Charles Howard Walker a noted architect, designer, and educator in Boston. According to the "History of Stratham New Hampshire" (Nelson, 1987): "The building itself is one of unusual design. It has probably the most beautiful arched ceiling of any building in the area built in that period. Two large fireplaces, located at either end of the building, aid in lending a most charming atmosphere. The exterior is of New Hampshire Granite and the large columns on the front of the building are also said to be of New Hampshire Granite*."

The Wiggin Memorial Library moved into the original Stratham Memorial School building in 1989/1990 along with the town offices and the police department. In 2009/2010 the police department moved into a new building and the former school building (now known as the Municipal Center) was renovated giving both the town offices and the library additional and more efficient space.


George A. and Emma B. Wiggin Library Building, 2010
Wiggin Memorial Library Website

*According to "Images of America: Stratham" (LaFave, 1998), the columns and steps are made of Granite from Deer Island, Maine.