2008 Marks the 90th Anniversary of the Cannon Free Library in Delhi

It was ninety years ago when the Cannon Free Library was built in the village of Delhi. The library was a gift provided by Henry White Cannon, a Delhi native resident and a very famous national financier. The library is dedicated as a loving memorial to his parents. Mr. Cannon’s vision was for the residents of Delhi to be able to always have access to free books for the betterment of all. He also endowed the library to ensure that his legacy would survive him and benefit generations of people to come.

A local newspaper at one time ran an article which stated: “The need for just this institution is very real, and the site chosen is convenient to all our people. Delhi will appreciate the motive which has prompted the gift, and by the intelligent use which it will make of the library will show that appreciation”.

Who was this philanthropist and Delhi resident? Henry White Cannon was the second son of George Bliss and Ann Eliza White Cannon, born in 1850. His father was born in Cannonsville, N.Y., a town not far from Delhi, which was named after Henry’s grandfather, Benjamin Cannon. Henry was educated and became a clerk and a teller at the First National Bank of Delhi. Later he moved to the Midwest in pursuit of greater opportunities.

Before his twenty-first birthday, he organized the Lumberman’s National Bank in Stillwater, Minn., and was responsible for the bank’s survival through the panic of 1873, when many other banks failed. Though young, he rose to prominence as a banker and became an expert on currency and financial affairs. His financial acumen and proven ability to manage financial institutions through a number of crises, gained him attention in Washington, D.C. In 1884, President Arthur appointed him as comptroller of the national currency – the same year a severe financial crisis caused misfortune and panic in the U.S. Again, Henry White Cannon was credited with exercising great ability and success in navigating the national banking system through the panic of 1894.

Henry became the president of Chase National Bank in 1886 and remained in this position until 1904 when he resigned and became chairman of the board. During the panic of 1893, he was a member of the Clearing House Committee of the New York Clearing House and later became its president. Because of his abilities as a financier, he was a delegate of the International Monetary Conference at Brussels in 1892.

Some additional accomplishments include: Aqueduct Commissioner of New York from 1890 to 1897, Vice President and Director of the United States Guarantee Company and the Brooklyn Union Gas Company, founder of the Museum of the City of New York, trustee of the Grant Monument Association in New York, and an active sponsor of Admiral Perry’s exploration of the Arctic.

Even though Henry White Cannon died in 1934, his gift to the town – the library – lives on. It is not simply a memorial to the man who built it, but serves the community and its people as a place that fosters a love of literature and learning, as well as being an archival source with over 30,000 books and resources on thousands of topics and areas of interest.

The people who serve on the Cannon Free Library Board of Trustees are an example of the commitment and vision of people currently behind this library. Its president, Ray Roach has been on the board since 1972. The vice-president, John Crocker, has been a member since 1957 and the secretary/treasurer, Charlotte Vetter, since 1962. Other trustees include Helen Bramley, Verne Henderson, Mary Jane Henderson, and Al Perkins. Gertrude Stone Cannon, daughter-in-law of Henry White Cannon, was actively involved as a trustee and vice president with the library until she died in 1979. In her last will and testament, she provided funds as a gift in trust for the care, maintenance and future capital improvements necessary to sustain the library.

The current director of the library is Cathy Johnson. She is the 8th director since the library was built in 1918. Today, the trustees, together with the current staff of librarians, have desired to see that the founder’s vision is kept alive and moving forward as the years progress and as technology and culture changes.

I originally spoke to Cathy on April 9th this year, not knowing that it was the exact date for the 90th anniversary. She provided me with much of the library’s history and general information. I was impressed when she spoke with what I sensed was a love for what she does as the director of the library. She mentioned that the relationship between the board of trustees, the library staff, and the public has been very supportive and constructive through the years making it a great joy to work there. Cathy mentioned that the library staff is its biggest asset. Other librarians said the same thing to me - even when the director wasn’t present.

There are a total of eight librarians at the Cannon Free Library, including Cathy Johnson, the director. They include Eloise Henault, Linda Iwanow, Heather Johnson, Margaret Small, Florence Grill, Lynn Oles, and Wayne Metlicke. I had an opportunity to talk with four of them. All of them agreed that meeting the library’s patrons and assisting with their needs is a rewarding experience. They take great satisfaction that the library is a gathering point for many people – especially those with children. Each commented that the library has a friendly and inviting atmosphere. The librarians also said that the library is a supportive environment to work in and that they feel appreciated by their peers, the public and the trustees. It is apparent from my visit that they work well with each other and enjoy learning together. A few of the librarians expressed that the library has so much to offer and is under-rated as a cultural asset in the community.

What’s fascinating about the library is something you sense when you walk through the front door. It is still very much the same library as it was in 1918. The architecture, furniture, and interior of the large reading room are the same as when first built. Over the fireplace in this room hangs a portrait of Henry White Cannon painted by the famous American portrait and landscape artist, Frederick MacMonnies.

While the appearance of the library may be unchanged, it is very apparent that many other aspects about the library have changed with the times. Besides books, the library now offers CDs, DVDs, audio books, computers for public access, music, and even puzzles and puppets for children. In 1981, a large addition to the library was constructed which now serves as the children’s section of the library. It was aptly named the Gertrude Stone Cannon Memorial Wing. This wing can accommodate large audiences for presentations and events sponsored by the library. It has a vast collection of children’s books, display cases, reading areas, restrooms for girls and boys and a small stage for performing.

One of the technological changes very evident when you walk into the library is the computers. If you look for the library card catalog, it is no longer in plain sight. Instead, it is now on computer. The library is part of the Four County Library System which allows it to access vastly more books and resources than the Cannon Free Library, in and of itself, could ever offer. The combined inventory all member libraries in Delaware, Otsego, Broome, and Chenango counties are available to the patrons of the Cannon Free Library through this system. One of the greatest, though understated benefits, of the Four County Library System is the access it provides 24/7 via its website @ www.4CLS.org. This is an outstanding and easy to use website offering users a variety of resources including encyclopedias online, a vast selection of children’s books, novels, genealogy resources, health and wellness information, literature, poetry, business periodicals, newspapers, company and stock market information, teacher and testing resources, full-text articles and reports, etc. The information, unlike that provided by internet search engines, is verified for truthfulness and accuracy. Any person with a library card can access this website any time of the day, order any of the resources available, have them delivered to their local library, and then can pick up to take home and then after enjoy.

The children’s activities are a real highlight and strength for the library. Eloise Henault is the librarian in charge of this area. Story Hour is one of her venues for children to encourage reading, build their imaginations and expand their creativity. It is also a time and place to create lasting friendships with other children and their families. The atmosphere is a relaxed and “child-friendly” environment. All the other librarians commented about Eloise and her gift with children. She has taught quilting classes to the children with them participating in the entire process. She is hosting a Happy Birthday Pajama Party, celebrating the library’s anniversary, for children on April 29th. For 5th and 6th graders, she had a program called ‘Picture Book Detectives’. Currently, Eloise does an after school story time with elementary school children K-3rd grade. This summer, the reading program for youth is called “Catch the Reading Bug”. As I mentioned earlier, the children’s wing is huge and offers many opportunities for children. I know my own children have loved story hour over the years and they were allowed to display their rock and lighthouse collections at the library. This was a big event at that time in their lives.

The Cannon Free Library is also very well known for having featured local or semi-local authors such as:

1. Jim Mullen author of “It Takes A Village Idiot: Complicating the Simple Life”

2. Marty Podskoch author of two books on Adirondack fire towers as well as Fire Towers of the Catskills to name just a few.

3. Jean Craighead George, world famous author of over seventy books including “My Side of the Mountain” and the sequels “On the Far Side of the Mountain” and “Frightful’s Mountain”,
“Julie of the Wolves”, “How to Talk to Your Dog”, “How to Talk to Your Cat”, etc., etc. There is a small area in the library wing devoted to Ms. George featuring some of her books and a map showing the supposed location of the tree house referred to in “My Side of the Mountain” which is based upon a location in Delhi in the area of Bell Hill and Dick Mason Roads, just outside the village. This display and the alleged location for this story have attracted people from distant countries.

4. Dorothy Kubik author of “West Through the Catskills”, “The Story of the Susquehanna Turnpike” and “A Free Soil---A Free People: The Anti-Rent War in Delaware County, New York”.

These are just a few of the authors who have been invited to the library. What is so wonderful about this program is that it gives a chance for local people to meet and greet the authors, as well as discuss their lives and works. Our area is home to a few famous authors and it is wonderful that the library provides this forum.

While I may not be around for the 180th anniversary of the Cannon Free Library, I am very happy to be here for the 90th anniversary. The library has been a pillar and support of the local community. It has led to the cultural betterment of Delhi and has sought to foster greater literacy and a love of literature for all its citizens. If it wasn’t for Henry White Cannon and Gertrude Stone Cannon there may never have been a library, such as we have, in Delhi. Certainly, Mr. Cannon’s gift has allowed us to enjoy a very well endowed library with stacks of wonderful books and resources for many people over a number of generations. Since its beginning, the library’s trustees and staff have been instrumental in the preservation, use and enjoyment of this cultural gem. My hope is that this legacy will continue to thrive for many years to come.