Richards Free Library

Engage, Enrich, Entertain

Newport NH

The Richards Free Library receives New Hampshire Humanities Grant for Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs presentation!

NEWPORT- The Richards Free Library has received a grant from New Hampshire Humanities to present Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs. Fabergé Imperial Easter Eggs will be presented on Monday, April 7th at 4:30pm in the Ballroom of the Richards Free Library.

This unique and beautifully illustrated presentation focuses on the life and remarkable work of master jeweler and artist, Peter Carl Fabergé. The program features a spectacular photo-tour of Fabergé collections at world-famous museums and from private collectors around the world. Emphasis is on the important role of egg painting in Slavic culture and on the unique development of this major art form from a traditional craft to the level of exquisite fine art under the patronage of the tsars. The fascinating history of these eggs and their role in the dramatic events of the last decades of Romanov rule in Russia and in the years following the Bolshevik Revolution will also be discussed.

This Program is Free and open to the public. There is no pre-registration.

New Hampshire Humanities nurtures the joy of learning and inspires community engagement by bringing life-enhancing ideas from the humanities to the people of New Hampshire. They connect people with ideas. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.

For more information, contact Marina Forbes at  marina@marinaforbes.com, or at 603-332-2255.

Richards Free Library Needs to Remove Trees

The Richards Free Library Board of Trustees wishes to inform the public that the large white pine trees and hemlock trees on our side lawn need to be removed.

Library Board Trustee Guenter Hubert and Library Director Sally J. Bernier met with several arborists who all agreed that the pines and hemlocks are reaching the end of their lives and at least some may have red rot, rendering them doubly unstable. The white pines and hemlocks are approximately 100 years old. The hemlocks were originally planted as a hedge, which partially died out and then became overgrown. Some of the trees have a structure that is unbalanced, with many large limbs on the north-north-west side overhanging the historic mansion and carriage house. A storm could cause them to come down on top of those buildings, resulting in massive structural damage. Beyond this, the trees pose a safety threat to the public during the many outdoor programs held on the side lawn. The white pines in particular are prone to losing limbs that catch on other limbs to become “widow makers.”  

After collecting bids from local tree removal services, the Library Board of Trustees is moving
forward to have these dangerous trees removed by Arthur Heino Jr. Tree Service LLC, before they can cause damage to the buildings and/or injury to anyone. Removal of the trees is scheduled to take place December 9-13, 2024 and will be paid for with Richards Free Library building endowment funds.

In an effort to revitalize the side lawn once the pine trees and hemlocks have been removed, Hubert has been in contact with the Newport High School Forestry and Natural Resources teacher, Sam Nelson, to discuss the possibility of assistance with planting new, limited growth shade trees on the side lawn in the spring.

The Richards Free Library Board of Trustees, along with the staff of both the Richards Free Library and the Library Arts Center, recognize the important contribution the pine trees and hemlocks have made over the years as shade trees for outdoor events, and regret that their removal is now necessary. However, protection of the buildings and their collections, as well as the safety of the staff and the public, must come first. The trustees and staff greatly appreciate the understanding and support of the Newport community with regard to this endeavor.

Keep Sarah Warm 2024

This year, we’re inviting our community of knitters to come together once again to create a beautiful scarf for the Sarah Josepha Hale statue in front of the library.

Here’s how you can contribute:

  • Knit a piece measuring 8 inches on one side.
  • Bring your knitted piece to the front desk of the library.
  • Fill out a card with your contact information

If you don’t have your own supplies, don’t worry! There will be knitting needles and yarn on display at the library, generously provided by the library. You can knit your contribution right there. Signs will provide knitting instructions to help you get started.

Need some yarn to get started at home? Stop by the library for a free skein, generously donated by a fellow craft enthusiast.

We will kick off this years “Scarf Season” by celebrating Sarah Josepha Hale’s 236th birthday on October 24th at the RFL! Then it’s time to bring your pieces in and register to be a part of the scarf! A dedicated volunteer will assemble all the contributions into a single, magnificent scarf.

Come and sip some cider at the “Wrap Party” on November 22nd and help wrap the scarf around the Sarah Josepha Hale statue in time to honor her for Thanksgiving. The scarf will remain on display until the first snowfall and will be taken down before the New Year.

When you bring in your contribution, you’ll be asked to fill out a registration form with your contact information. This year we would love to credit contributors with a list that will be displayed next to the scarf! You can also opt to sign up for the library newsletter or express your interest in joining our knitting group.

Let’s come together to celebrate Sarah Josepha Hale and keep her warm this season. Happy knitting!

Exciting News: Join Us for an Evening with Hale Award Winner Monica Wood!

We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Hale Award ceremony will be held on September 7th at the Newport Opera House. This year’s event promises to be extra special, as we honor the talented author Monica Wood.

The ceremony starts at 7 PM and is free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to come and celebrate this remarkable literary achievement.

But wait—there’s more!

Before the ceremony, you have the unique opportunity to join us for the Hale Award Author Dinner at the Old Court House Restaurant. The dinner begins at 5 PM, and this is your chance to enjoy a meal with Monica Wood herself, alongside fellow book lovers and community members.

Tickets for the dinner are on sale now for $50 each. Seats are limited, so don’t wait to secure your spot at the table. To purchase your tickets, please call the Richards Free Library at 603-863-3430.

We look forward to seeing you there for an unforgettable evening of good food, great company, and the celebration of outstanding literary work. Don’t miss out on this special event!