Living History

Public Library
Pavillion, WY
1948 - 59
Currently the Pavillion Museum

When I was a child, this building seemed much larger, yet it is only the size of a storage shed. Eventually, the library moved to a different location, and the then vacant building was sold in 1959 to Forrest Morgan, who used it as a shed. Fast forward several decades. The town repurchased the building, moved it to its original site, and created a local museum.

I remember going into this tiny building and finding it packed with books like My Friend Flicka, Curious George, Nancy Drew and so many others that have faded from my memory. I think the building had a wood stove as well, but that memory is not as clear. I just remember it was a magical place, filled with adventures.

According to Irene Jones, author of Pavillion City, the lot on which the building sits was donated by Fremont County in 1948 for the local public library, and Mrs. Minnie Counselor was hired as the first librarian. The same year, the town purchased the building (shown above) from the Pavillion Methodist Church. Mrs. Jones wrote that when the church owned the building it sat behind the parsonage. The building was moved to the County's donated lot - on the west side of Main Street between Center and Cedar Avenues. (Pavillion City, page 60)

Other town librarians in the early years were Mrs. Harold Smith, Mrs. Alice Walker and Mrs. Olive Harebo.

Now, the little, white building is the local museum (open only in the summer, usually by appointment).