Dedication Ceremonies Held for New Highland Library Building
The Recorder, Thursday, September 24, 1987
(Reprinted with permission)
More than 100 people attended the dedication of the Highland County Public Library in Monterey Sunday afternoon, where a portrait of the late James H. “Jimmy” Bowen, the man who inspired the facility, was unveiled.
Jimmy Bowen was a retired attorney who moved to Monterey from Bethesda, Md. In 1970. According to his wife, Gwen Bowen, who is chairman of the library board, Bowen was an avid reader and student all his life, and felt Highland needed a library. He petitioned the Lions Club and the county board of supervisors, and his efforts eventually led to the founding of the library in May, 1975 with an appropriation of $2,259 by the supervisors.
Acting as master of ceremonies, Monterey Mayor George McWhorter, also a library board member, said the cost of the new facility including building and grounds totals $116,089. “Not a dime of taxpayer money went into the building,” McWhorter said proudly. He praised local residents for their independence and generosity in building the facility with only donations and state grants. “All but $18,000 of the cost has come in,” McWhorter said.
In addition to the main library facility where books are shelved and seating is located, the building has a “Mountain View Room” for special events and changing exhibits. This room is named for the Extension Homemakers Club that put $500 into an escrow account that started the funding for the new facility.
Mountain View EH President Mary Dowdy, a guest speaker on the Saturday program, said starting out with $500 to build a county library must have seemed unrealistic, but it shows that “if an idea sounds crazy it probably isn’t.” Richardia Johnson, speaking for the Virginia State Library, praised “the extraordinary spirit and dedication of the people of Highland County.”
“It makes me proud to be a part of an achievement this size by a community as small as this one,” Del. Emmett Hanger, Jr. of the 26th Legislative District told the crowd. Congratulations were also given by Senator Frank Nolen of the 24th Senatorial District, Ida Patton of the Virginia State Library, and the Rev. C. William Cox, who also gave the benediction.
Mike Williams played special music for the program, and Girl Scout Troop 447 of Highland County led in the singing of the National Anthem and presented a ceremony with a flag given by Representative Jim Olin. Area extension homemaker clubs provided homemade refreshments.
In addition to McWhorter and Mrs. Bowen, the library board includes Alma Fugelstad, Gloria Hower, Peggy Bird, Bernice Eubank, and the Rev. Cox.
The librarian is Mary Richardson, who has been in that position since the first library services were offered in a rented room at the Masonic Building on Main Street in 1975. Judy Skeen is the assistant librarian, delivering books and special requests to library patrons monthly at Ralston’s Store in McDowell, Blue Grass Mercantile, Hevener’s Store at Hightown, Mill Gap Supply and Corbett’s Store in Mustoe.
