About Tewksbury Library
Built in 1807, the building that houses the Tewksbury Library was originally Barnet Hall Academy. The Academy housed a school and residence on the first floor and the upper level served as a community space for many activities including dramatic performances, debates, public meetings, and Sunday school. The grounds were the scene of many activities such as the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, an 1837 circus performance, and Civil War militias mustered for exercises.
In 1951, Sawmill School was built to serve Tewksbury Township and Barnet Hall Academy closed its doors. A few years later, in 1954, The Oldwick Community Center was incorporated by a group of Tewksbury citizens to bring athletic, social, cultural, and educational events to the people of Oldwick and vicinity. The former Academy was purchased from the Tewksbury School Board by one of the Community Center founders and donated to the corporation. After extensive repairs and renovations, The Oldwick Community Center opened its doors in 1956. In the spirit of Barnet Academy, the Center was the meeting place for many groups including the Oldwick Community Players and Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. Social and cultural activities included French and drama lessons, poetry presentations, movie nights, birthday parties, and exercise groups.
In 1968, a group of volunteers explored the possibility of forming a library association in Tewksbury. The Hunterdon County Library assured the group that it would receive Member Library status and Tewksbury would receive books purchased for it by the County on an extended or permanent loan basis and also would furnish a rotating collection on short-term loan. A Tewksbury Library Association was formed and incorporated and a Library Board was appointed.
In 1975, membership in the Tewksbury Library Association had grown from 100 to 398 and book acquisitions from 600 to 1700 titles. A portion of the first floor of the Oldwick Community Center housed the books and became the location of the Tewksbury Library. In 1980, the Tewksbury Township Committee voted to fund the Library with $1,000 provided that the Library Board raise $2,500 which was done. The Township’s voluntary contribution of $62,200 continues to subsidize the operation of the Library.
In December 2007, the Oldwick Community Center Board of Trustees turned over the custodianship of the building to the Tewksbury Township Library for use as a library and meeting place. The Oldwick Community Center disbanded after fifty-three years and the Library Board of Trustees became responsible for all maintenance and repairs of the 200 year old building. After much planning and fundraising, the Library Board embarked on major renovations to the building in 2008–2009, including an addition with a rear stairway providing access to the second floor. The second floor of the building was opened as The Marion Katnack Children’s Library and Community Room.
The Tewksbury Library continues to be committed to providing quality services and resources to meet the evolving cultural, educational, social and informational needs of the community. Fundraising by the Board of Trustees continues in order to maintain and improve our historic building and provide a welcoming community and library space.
