Throughout the 1800s, under the names Greenwich Town Library and Greenwich Reading Room and Library Association, a book-lending institution existed in such locations as the Second Congregational Church and on the second floor of what is now 113 Greenwich Ave. For a subscription fee, members could borrow an allotted number of books. Around 1800, a small collection of books was acquired and circulated from the Ebenezer Mead House. In 1805, a small group of Greenwich residents, each subscribing $6 a share, formed the Greenwich Town Library. Members were allowed to borrow one book for each share they owned. In 1877, the library opened a reading room on the second floor of the Moshier Building at the northeast corner of Greenwich Avenue and Lewis Street. Beginning in 1878, nonsubscribers were allowed to use books on the premises for the first time; still, only dues payers could borrow books.
On March 15, 1878, the library was incorporated by Joint Resolution of the Connecticut General Assembly as "The Greenwich Reading Room and Library Association...provided, no by-law shall be repugnant to the laws of this state or of the United States." It was stipulated that the act should "take effect when accepted by majority vote of the members...on or before the twenty-fifth day of March, 1878."
In 1884, the library moved to larger quarters in the Ray Building across the street. In 1895, Elizabeth Milbank Anderson gave the town a new building for the library in memory of her parents, Jeremiah and Elizabeth Lake Milbank. She offered to erect a new building if a lot could be obtained and if the library provided "free service to all town residents."
Although the building was opened in 1895, services were not made free until 1899.
The library was incorporated by Joint Resolution of the Connecticut General Assembly on May 24, 1899, "for the promotion of useful knowledge" under the name The Greenwich Reading Room and Library Association and as "a free public library and reading room." It was stipulated that the act should take effect when "accepted by a majority vote of the members on or before July 1, 1899. The name was changed to The Greenwich Library by act of the state legislature on March 26, 1907.
In the mid 1950s, the library had outgrown its space, and the decision was made to purchase and remodel the Franklin Simon department store building. Following a successful second campaign, the library achieved its goal. The remodeling contract was awarded to Adams-Erickson. On March 14, 1960, the library moved to its present location. Additional land north and east of the building was later acquired through gift and purchase.
The cache container includes logbook. Bring your pen/pencil. Cache is located in a high Muggle area. Quick grab and go, and parking is readily available.