MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the G.E.P. Dodge Library is to provide the community of Bennington, New Hampshire with current information on subjects of topical and local interests, materials with differing points of view on contemporary and historical issues, materials for instruction, recreation and entertainment, and to provide access to a universe of information beyond the library's own collection through interlibrary cooperation and the efficient use of technology, within a comfortable and accessible facility and in a fiscally responsible manner. To accomplish this mission the library will provide materials in a variety of formats and up-to-date resources to satisfy a wide variety of philosophical, religious, political and recreational interests for patrons of all ages.

G.E.P. DODGE LIBRARY HISTORY

In 1860 a group of resident women founded the Bennington Circulatory Library and for 20 years acquired and maintained a collection of 235 books that were held in various private homes. In March 1880 the town voted to establish the Bennington Town Library and from 1880 until 1906 the library operated from what is now the restroom at the Bennington Town Hall. In 1906 George Edward Payson Dodge, at the request of his aunt, presented the town with $8,000 to build a library on Main Street that to this day serves as the town library. The library was dedicated on August 1, 1906 and has since been known as the G.E.P. Dodge Library.

George Edward Payson Dodge was born in Bennington in 1839, the son of George Dodge. As a child he moved to Lancaster, Massachusetts, then to Boston, Massachusetts and finally to Chicago where he and two others established the Phelps Dodge & Palmer wholesale boot and shoe company. The library's bronze doors were given to the library in memory of Mr. Dodge by his partner Mr. Phelps.

If you have any comments, suggestions and questions please drop us mail at [email protected] or mailing address: Post Office Box 129, Bennington, NH 03442.