The Tewksbury Library has been through a lot in the almost two hundred years since the first structure was built. In the year 1807, Dr. Oliver Barnet built the original building where the current Library stands today. It was called Barnet Hall Academy and was used as a school. It also had other uses. Half of the lower floor was the home of a family. The upper floor was used for public meetings and entertainments (debates, Sunday School, and prayer sessions). In fact, that floor had a stage, shifting scenery, and raised tiers of seats. It was very modern for its time period. The grounds were used for military musters and exercises as well as other social events and patriotic celebrations. It was in this building that the name "Oldwick" was chosen for the town in September 1918. In 1951, the Barnet Hall Academy ceased its operations as a school and in 1954 The Oldwick Community Center was born. Its goal was to provide recreational, social, cultural, and athletic facilities. On March 5, 1956 The Oldwick Community Center officially opened to the public. Today, the Library is open to all residents of Tewksbury for their everyday use.
- Information from a paper entitled, "Some Notes on the Old Academy" written by N.C.W.
There is a lot more history on the actual beginnings of the library. In 1968, a group of Tewksbury citizens decided to think about establishing a library in the township. A library board was formed with seven members; Leslie Canaday, Norman Witwer, Marian Katnack, Peter Basch, Richard Sloan, Sonya Dalton, and Barbara Miller.
Ever since the opening of The Tewksbury Library, a number of cultural and educational activities have been sponsored by the Library's board of trustees. The library continues to operate with the help of volunteers, patron donations, and our dedicated library manager, Carole Scott.
Dedication to Marion Katnack:
The Trustees of the Tewksbury Library dedicate this Website to the memory of our beloved friend, Marion Katnack, who passed away on May 10, 2005. Marion was a founder of this library in 1968, and remained a board member and an unflagging library supporter for all these many years. We will miss your good cheer, your sage counsel, and your boundless energy, Marion.