The Mary Lemist Titcomb Letterbox

3/17/06 - Missing but will be replaced ASAP

(Coventry, Connecticut)

Planted on 10/6/02
By Odilio, Irishtinker, & French Fox

Go to Booth & Dimmock Library on Rte 31 in Coventry, CT. It is a large brick building. From the intersection on 275 & 31 turn left. It is just passed the large Congregational Church. The church is on the Right and the library is on the LEFT. Pull to the rear of the parking lot and park.

Mary Lemist Titcomb, was a true library pioneer! After working as a library organizer in Vermont for twelve years she arrived in Washington County, Maryland (the second working library in the United States) in 1902. She was enthusiastic and full of ideas. She felt loaning free books was just a small part of a libraries duties. With in 5 years of her arrival to Washington County the library had 66 deposit stations. Books could even be ordered from the main library to the deposit stations. Mary became concerned that books were not getting to isolated people who did not have the luxury of having a library in their area. If they could not come to the library than the library should go to them. By 1904 the book wagon became a reality making Washington County the first library in the world to carry books to homes! The driver covered a 500 mile territory. The area's second book mobile was built in 1912 and had an engine! 

Find the light post closest to the back of the parking lot. Keeping your back to the light post, facing the back woods, take a reading of 0 degrees. Walk to the stonewall just inside the wood line. At the break in the wall, on the left hand side, reach DEEP under the stone and find your treasure. You may want to stamp in your car.

For a fun book to read to your kids may we suggest "Clara and The Book Wagon" by Clara Levinson. Ages 4-8

PLEASE BE DISCRETE!!!!!! WE DON'T WANT TO BE DISCOVERED!! Enjoy!

Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.