Walton-DeFuniak Library
Encyclopedia
Walton-DeFuniak Library is an historic library
located at 3 Circle Drive, in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida
in the United States
. Opened in 1887, it is the oldest continuously run library in the state. It is a contributing property
in the DeFuniak Springs Historic District
.
In 1989, the library was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press.
association had their first session in DeFuniak Springs, locals realized there was a need for library resources to support it. Local woman raised 580 dollars in 1886-7 to build the library, and land on Lake DeFuniak
for an annual rent of 25 cents. The library opened by the end of 1887. The name was changed in 1975 to the Walton-DeFuniak library. In 1984, a rear section was added which blends architecturally with the original hardware-frame building.
. There are also others from the Orient
, as well as Kentucky
musket
s from the 18th century.
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
located at 3 Circle Drive, in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida
Walton County, Florida
Walton County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 40,601. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 50,324. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at .- History...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Opened in 1887, it is the oldest continuously run library in the state. It is a contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
in the DeFuniak Springs Historic District
DeFuniak Springs Historic District
The DeFuniak Springs Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The district is bounded by Nelson and Park Avenues and 2nd and 12th Streets. It contains 172 historic buildings and 2 objects.-See also:* Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood* St...
.
In 1989, the library was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press.
History
After the ChautauquaChautauqua
Chautauqua was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with...
association had their first session in DeFuniak Springs, locals realized there was a need for library resources to support it. Local woman raised 580 dollars in 1886-7 to build the library, and land on Lake DeFuniak
Lake DeFuniak
Lake DeFuniak is a lake in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, United States, at the center of the DeFuniak Springs Historic District.Lake DeFuniak is one of the two almost perfectly round circular spring-fed lakes in the world....
for an annual rent of 25 cents. The library opened by the end of 1887. The name was changed in 1975 to the Walton-DeFuniak library. In 1984, a rear section was added which blends architecturally with the original hardware-frame building.
Weapons collection
The library is also home to a collection of arms and armor owned originally by Palmer College's Professor Kenneth Bruce. He left the collection to the college in his will. When the college closed in the 1930s, the city became the recipient of the collection, which later gave it to the library. A large number of the weapons are European and from the era of the CrusadesCrusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
. There are also others from the Orient
Orient
The Orient means "the East." It is a traditional designation for anything that belongs to the Eastern world or the Far East, in relation to Europe. In English it is a metonym that means various parts of Asia.- Derivation :...
, as well as Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
s from the 18th century.
External links
- Walton-DeFuniak Library - City of DeFuniak Springs, Florida