Heginbotham Trust contributes $50K for library maintenance

A generous donation of $50,000 from the Heginbotham Trust to the City of Holyoke is earmarked for maintenance and repairs at the Heginbotham Library, and it’s expected to go a long way in preserving a local gem.

The building that houses the library at 539 S. Baxter Ave. was built in 1918, and its significance extends far beyond being a public library. Having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Heginbotham Library has an important place in local, state and national history.

“We really want to see it maintained and cared for,” said Dave Colver of the Heginbotham Trust, and that’s what motivated the trustees’ decision to make the donation.

Being 100 years old, the building does require some maintenance, and being on the historic registry means that extra care must be taken to preserve the structure’s history whenever repairs are made.

To further ensure the library is cared for, additional funding continues to be sought from outside sources. Heginbotham Library Board president Briar Bergner explained that the donation from the Heginbotham Trust will enable the library to apply for a cash-match grant from the State Historical Fund later this year.

“We are so incredibly thankful to have support from the Heginbotham Trust,” Bergner said. “They never cease to amaze us with their generosity.”