Phone +1 850-892-3624 | Year built 1887 | |
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Address 3 Circle Dr, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435, USA Hours Closed now Saturday9AM–5PMSunday9AM–5PMMonday9AM–5PMTuesday9AM–8PMWednesday9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PMFriday(Good Friday)9AM–5PMHours might differSuggest an edit | ||
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.
Contents
In 1989, the library was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press.
There are over 25, 000 volumes available at the Walton-DeFuniak Library.
History
After the Chautauqua 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 local women who played such a large role in the creation of the library were apart of the Ladies' Aide Society, later called the Ladies' Library Association. The members earned money for books and kept the library opened until 1902, when an official librarian was hired. Alice Fellows became the first salaried librarian of Walton-Defuniak Library from 1896 to 1926. 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.
The library was named in honor of Captain Frederick de Funiak, as was the village DeFuniak Springs in 1882.
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 Crusades. There are also others from the Orient, as well as Kentucky muskets from the 18th century.