History

The Gnadenhutten Public Library was organized by Gnadenhutten-Clay Township school officials in July, 1934 and was housed in one room of the grade school building; it contained approximately 500 books donated by the citizens of Gnadenhutten, surrounding communities, and donations from other established libraries in the county.

The local school board appointed as trustees of the library board, D.V. Kennedy, Mrs. Myrtle Heck and Mrs. Helen Simmers from Clay Twp. and the Rev. R.H.Brennecke, W.O.Demuth, Mrs. Grace Blackburn and Mrs. Nelle Patterson from the village. The school board provided the room, heat, and light and furnished book cases. In November, 1934 there were 221 registered patrons. Eventually, this school room had to be vacated and the library was moved to two large rooms in the F.C.Winsch home in July, 1936 located at the corner of W. Main and S. Walnut Streets.

The present library building formerly housed the Gnadenhutten Building and Loan. Mr. D.V. Heck donated the building to the town for a library.