Parsons Memorial Library

A Historic Walking Tour

Welcome to the Parsons Memorial Library Historic Walking Tour! This tour is designed to provide a deeper look into the architectural beauty and storied past that makes our building a cornerstone of the village of Alfred.

About the Walking Tour

This walking tour offers unique insights into the specific features and "hidden gems" of the library building. We invite you to explore the grounds and the architecture that continue to foster a sense of community more than a century after its founding. The beautiful imagery featured throughout the tour was provided by Jason Baldwin of Shared Perspectives Photography. Much of the historical information was compiled by Bruce Tucker of the Alfred Historical Committee, alongside dedicated library staff.

Walking Tour Stops

Wooden Alfred Village

This intricate work, titled "Miniatures of Our Town," is the creation of local artisan Angy Goyette. Bringing a village to life at this scale is no small feat—each individual piece represents an incredible labor of love and patience: Before cutting a single piece of wood, Angy captures detailed photographs of each real-life building to ensure every architectural nuance is captured accurately. Each model is carefully drawn onto wood, hand-cut, and sanded down. Once smooth, eac

PML Staff

Clock

The clock was presented to the Alfred library by Lewis S. Conant. Not much is known about the clock’s exact origin, manufacturer, or the specific year it was made, adding to its quiet charm and intrigue. Though it currently does not work, it serves as a wonderful historic focal point in the room, reminding us of the many generations who have read and studied beneath its gaze.

PML Staff

Emery "Stan" Littlefield

Emery “Stan” Littlefield was a native of Alfred and a long term PML trustee. He was an engineer and surveyor and lived in the Conant House in the village. His wife Betty ran Conant House Realty for many years and seemingly sold every parcel of Alfred land at least twice. Stan was a dignified and thoughtful man who cherished his Alfred community and always acted in its best interest

Bruce Tucker

Benjamin P. Snow

Benjamin P. Snow was a graduate of Bowdoin [1855] and Bangor Theological Seminary. He served as clergyman at Alfred parish Church 1875 to 1881. An educator as much as a clergyman, Snow began the Alfred Reading Club in 1877 which eventually possessed nearly 2000 books. After leaving his clergy post in Alfred in 1881, Snow held several clergy and headmaster positions but retired to his beloved Alfred in 1903. He spoke at the PML dedication in 1903 and served as PML’s first libr

Bruce Tucker

Martha Roberts

Martha Roberts was a lifelong Alfred resident and served her community faithfully in several offices. She seemed to know everyone in town and retained memories spanning from the horse and buggy days to the moon landing. She was a remarkable and gracious woman who shared her memories with any who asked. She taught Sunday School at Alfred Parish Church for many years and served as library trustee. She lived to the remarkable age of 108 years- witty and wise to the end. She requ

PML Staff

Herring Hall Marvin Safe

Manufactured by the famed Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Co., this heavy-duty steel safe features beautiful hand-painted lettering reading "Parsons Memorial Library" right across the front door. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Herring-Hall-Marvin was renowned worldwide for building virtually indestructible fireproof safes and bank vaults. Over 120 years later, our safe is living proof of that legendary durability. While many antiques end up strictly as decorative dis

PML Staff

Patio

Installed in 2022, this space was designed not only to expand the library's footprint into the fresh air but also to honor the unique architectural heritage of our historic building. The patio is a true visual extension of the library itself. If you look closely at the stonework layout, you will notice that the unique spokes of the patio design perfectly mirror the intricate details of the library's original window inlays. It’s a beautiful architectural echo that seamlessly

PML Staff

Books in Glass Case

If you have spent time browsing our nonfiction section recently, you may have stopped to admire the beautiful glass-front bookcase. The historic books housed inside this case aren’t just for display—they represent the very foundation of the library's history. These volumes are some of the original books from the Alfred Reading Club, which were generously given to the library in 1903 to start its very first collection. They serve as a physical reminder of our community's long

PML Staff

Fireplace Mantle

If you have ever spent a cold afternoon relaxing in our reading room, your eyes have likely been drawn to the magnificent fireplace that anchors the space. More than just a source of warmth, this fireplace is a beautifully crafted monument to the history of our library and the family that made it possible. Built from durable, hard-burnt Philadelphia brick, the fireplace structure was designed to stand the test of time, perfectly complementing the library's timeless architectu

PML Staff

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Parsons Memorial Library

A Historic Walking Tour

About the Walking Tour

Walking Tour Stops

Wooden Alfred Village

Clock

Emery "Stan" Littlefield

Benjamin P. Snow

Martha Roberts

Herring Hall Marvin Safe

Patio

Books in Glass Case

Fireplace Mantle

Library Walking Tour Guestbook