Library 100th Celebration…A Bit of History! May 2023

Library 100th Celebration…A Bit of History! May 2023

May 2023

Looking back at the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library in the 1960s.
This is the sixth in a series of articles marking the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library’s
100th anniversary.
The Ocoee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution observed American History
Month by decorating the library with patriotic memorabilia. Prominent among the displays was
Mrs. W. M. Walker’s collection of dolls dressed to represent the wives of the Governors of
Tennessee. Each of the doll’s costumes had been fashioned by Mrs. Walker to accurately
reflect the years they represented.

The library held a reception for the winners of the poetry contest sponsored by the Woman’s
Club. First Division winners were Terry Ann Moss, first place, Patti Brown, second place, and
Larry Humphrey third place. Second Division winners were Shirley Kimsey, first place, Pam
Smiddy, second place, and Jill Frisbee, third place. Third Division winners were Eleanor
Hackney, first place, Bob Simmons, second place, and Gary Davis, third place. Fourth Division
winners were Carolyn Melton, first place, Rodney Fitzgerald, second place, and Tommy
Johnson, third place.

As Cleveland and Bradley County grew, so did the need to enlarge the library. Mrs. C.L.
Hardwick, granddaughter of Sarah Tucker Johnston, generously provided the means for the
addition of the library’s west wing. The wing’s dedication was a proud day for the library and all
of Cleveland and Bradley County. The opening ceremony was attended by special guests,
Tennessee’s Attorney General, T. W. Pearce, local politicians, and representatives from
surrounding libraries. Originally the new wing held the library’s non-fiction collection, the young
adult collection, and popular record albums. Today it is the main research room for the History
Branch and Archives. A portrait honoring Mrs. Hardwick hangs in the wing named for her.
In addition to reading about our library, look for special events throughout the year. Join us as
we celebrate its founding and growth as “the seat of literary hospitality for Cleveland and
Bradley County.”