These items are available at the Circulation Desk in the Library or call 781-585-0517. Proceeds benefit Library programs and collections.

Local History Books

"An Enduring Monument," The Frederic C. Adams Public Library Building ~ An Architectural and Cultural Landmark

The Jones River Village Historical Society celebrates Kingston's Frederic C. Adams Public Library Building in the 2012 summer exhibit catalog. Drawing on the rich text and photographic resources of the Library's Local History Room, the JRVHS offers a detailed look at the creation of the iconic Kingston building from the 1874 bequest that initiated the project through design, construction and dedication in 1898.. The catalog is available for $10.00.

For the Summer 2011 Jones River Village Historical Society Exhibit, Ralph Calderaro, JRVHS Vice President, has mined the collections of the Kingston Public Library's Local History Room and the Drew Archival Library in Duxbury to tell the story of local yachting a century ago. Recounting the tales of the builders, the owners, the clubs and the races that brought them all together, Calderaro brings to life a by-gone era of leisurely ease and fierce competion on the water. Richly illustrated, the exhibit catalog is available for $10.00.

The 2010 summer exhibit catalog from the Jones River Village Historical Society tells the story of the neighborhood of Rocky Nook in the first decades of the 20th century through a wonderful selection of postcards. Drawing on the substantial collection of Kingston resident David Pepe supplemented with additional materials contributed by the family of the late Elaine Cox Sampson, Carolyn and George McSherry, Mary Hathaway and the Local History Room, this volume captures the cottages, the beaches, the streets and the people of the summer colony. Long-time Rocky Nook resident Arthur "Zuke" Mullaney contributed his fond reminiscences and colorful captions, while Society President Norman P. Tucker added the preface and Kingston Public Library Archivist Susan Aprill completed the design. It is available for $9.95.

The Jones River Village Historical Society: Celebrating Our Centennial, 1909-2009. Highlights from One Hundred Years.

Marking the Society's first century, this book explores the major "lines of work" undertaken by the JRVHS since its founding. Members' work on conservation of natural resources, cultivation of land, education,"village improvement" and local history are described and illustrated. The Bradford Homestead and the Society's public and private events are detailed as well. The book reproduces the 2009 Summer Exhibit co-sponsored by the Kingston Public Library and the Jones River Village Historical Society, and is available for $9.95

The Jones River Village Historical Society.
Collections: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. A long-term commitment to Kingston's heritage

Written by Kingston Public Library Archivist Susan Aprill, this volume describes the historical papers of the JRVHS held and maintained by the Local History Room. The papers include both records and publications created by the Society and historical documents collected by members. Each of the 14 series -- broad categories used to structure and describe the collection -- is defined and illustrated with photograph and ephemera. The publication reproduces the 2008 Summer Exhibit co-sponsored by the Kingston Public Library and the Jones River Village Historical Society, and is available for $7.95.

Through Emily's Eyes: the photographs of Emily Fuller Drew

Through Emily's Eyes, compiled by Kingston Public Library Archivist Carrie A. Elliott, is a collection of photographs taken of Kingston by Emily Drew. Drew, a Kingston resident and historian, photographed Kingston as it under went changes through the development of the early twentieth century. This book is the 2006 exhibition catalog from the Summer Exhibit co-sponsored by the Kingston Public Library and the Jones River Village Historical Society. This book is available for $7.95 (limited quantities available!)

Life on the River: the flow of Kingston's industries

Life on the River, compiled by former Kingston Public Library Archivist Carrie A. Elliott, is a comprehensive look at the history of fifteen water privileges on the Jones River and the industries in which they supported. This book is the 2005 exhibition catalog from the Summer Exhibit co-sponsored by the Kingston Public Library and the Jones River Village Historical Society. This book is available for $7.95 (limited quantities available!)

Norman P. Tucker has published a book called Images of America: Kingston, which is available at the Library, both to borrow and to buy. This richly illustrated history of the Town uses numerous photographs from the Library's Local History Room, and all proceeds from the sale of these books bought at the Library benefit the Local History Room directly. The price is $19.95.

Now available for the first time since 1926!

Civic Progress and a History of her Industries, by Sarah Bailey and Emily Drew is the history of Kingston written for the two hundred anniversary of Kingston in 1926. This book provides a wonderful history of Kingston, focusing on her industrial development. $24.95 (limited quantities available!)

Art

Picture perfect, this Kingston landmark is beautifully captured by the late Kingston artist Marshall Joyce. These signed and numbered prints are available only through the Kingston Public Library. Unframed prints (18" x 27") are available for $125. Only 48 prints were made, so quantities are limited.

Note cards

The Kingston Public Library's note cards

The Friends of the Library are selling a set of note cards. $10 per box for a set of 12. Individual cards are available for $1.50 each

The Kingston Public Library’s Jones River Through Time Note cards
These images from a mural created in 2001 to celebrate Kingston’s 275th anniversary are now available on a series of note cards. The packets are available at the Library for $15.00

Each packet contains fourteen cards, with two copies each of the seven mural panels, and an explanation of each panel. A history of the mural is included. Proceeds from the sale of the note cards will be used to support the Library’s Local History Room and Art Committee projects.

Other Great Gifts

Kingston Public Library book bags

The Friends of the Library are selling tote bags to support programs and products for the library. A bag only costs $6! Choose blue or red. What a bargain!

Cup plates were widely used in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Hot tea was served in handless cups and poured into saucers to cool. Tea was drunk from the saucer while the cup was placed on a cup plate to protect the table. Each of these commemorative cup plates is signed with the Pairpoint trademark and the initials or monogram of the mold engraver. The molds are engraved by traditional methods, free-hand, directly in steel, with hammer and chisel. Pairpoint cup plates are hand pressed in 34% lead crystal.

© All rights reserved. Town of Kingston, Kingston Public Library. For more information please write to Kingston Public Library, 6 Green Street, Kingston Massachusetts 02364 or email the Library Director at sstewart@kingstonpubliclibrary.org. For suggestions on how we can improve our services, please email kilib@kingstonpubliclibrary.org. The Kingston Public Library is a member of the Old Colony Library Network.