Hendrick Hudson Free Library: A History

1925

Our Story

Once upon a time a group of women from College Hill in Montrose hatched a truly wondrous plan. They knew there was something missing from their town, could feel it in their bones, and it was a thing they knew and felt no town should go without. A library, well-stocked and staffed, would do a world of good for the wealth of residents living in the town.
 

So they took one step, and then another, and pretty soon they were standing on the corner of Kings Ferry Road, with a deed in their hands and smiles on their faces. Chartered by the State Education Department, the library was beholden to no municipality, but instead operated under the by-laws of its five elected trustees.
 

Time passed, the town grew, and the library became too small to meet the town’s needs. This did not frighten the library ladies; they simply packed their books and moved a few feet down the road into their new home: the Kavana Building.
 

And here they kept their treasured collection, for a time. The leaves grew and fell and grew and fell eleven times more before then again they had to leave. A short, but pleasant stay, like a burst of wind on a winter’s morn. But the town needed more, and the library obliged.
 

Fond memories called the library nearer to its first home, and at the old Montrose Fire House it settled. For one-fifth of a century, this building met the needs of the community, but like the wanderer’s soul, again the time came to move on. Like its founders, the library could not sink into complacency. Like fired steel, it remained flexible to the needs of its time.
 

For the last time the library moved, farther than any move prior. Its fate seemingly tied to Kings Ferry Road, the library relocated and recollected a mile away in a new building meant to meet the demands of the changing world.  Greater space brought with it greater opportunity, keeping the library always on the cutting edge. But this is just the beginning, the Hendrick Hudson Free Library has only just begun to show its adaptability and value.
The years passed, and the library grew—not just in size, but in purpose. No longer just a home for books, but a gateway to the world: passports, museum passes, a “Library of Things,” all pushing the library into a new realm. Moving beyond its walls, the outside became another canvas for learning and engagement as stories appeared and musical notes traveled in the wind.
 

The winds of change blew once again through the ever-evolving library—this time, not in location, but in the very fabric of how it connected with the world. Technology, in many forms, wove itself into the heart of the space. A flickering sign greeted passersby with messages of opportunity, while programs now reached beyond the walls, flowing directly into homes. A quiet station stood ready, offering power to those in motion, and panels stretched toward the sky, gathering light to keep the building warm and welcoming.
 

If around to see it now, the founding ladies, who shook the earth beneath the Town of Cortlandt with their forward-thinking, would undoubtedly stand amazed, beyond words, seeing how a simple plan to strengthen their town had grown into something far greater, a living, breathing testament to how far their vision had progressed.
 

In a world dominated by information, what better place is there to learn and grow than your local library? Housed in its shelves and in its technology, in its employees and innovation, there is something basic, something that the ladies from College Hill tapped into. And while they will never know it’s true influence, they can rest with the knowledge that their dreams have become a reality, which continues to be built upon by its employees, patrons, and the world around it.
 

To be continued…

1931

1931-1936: A Library’s Beginning

The Hendrick Hudson Free Library was founded by a small group of women from the College Hill section of Montrose in 1931. In 1932, the library opened and operated out of a house on the corner of Kings Ferry Road and Albany Post Road (current home of the Cortlandt Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps). The library was originally chartered to serve the Montrose Water District as Montrose was not yet an official hamlet.

1937

1937-1965: Learning to Operate

In 1937, the Association was formed and five trustees were elected. The library was issued a provisional charter by the Board of Regents of the State Education Department, Division of Library Development in 1938 and was established to serve the residents of Central District No. 3. After meeting all the state requirements as a Free Association Library in 1949, the Absolute Charter was issued.

 

The library operates independently of any municipal government and is instead governed by trustees who reside within the service area and are active library card holders. The trustees operate under established by-laws; their responsibilities are few in number but broad in scope and include: development of a mission statement and all other library and public policies; select, hire and regularly evaluate a qualified library director; maintain a facility that meets the community needs; and exercise fiduciary responsibility for the use of public and private funds.

1966

1966-1997: Finding the Right Home

The library stayed in its original location from 1932 until 1937 when it moved across the street to the “center of town” where it occupied a one-room storefront with its own lavatory. This was called home until 1966 when the library relocated to Albany Post Road in the Kavana Building. Eleven years later in 1977 a move was once again needed, this time just a hop, skip and jump away to what was the former home of the Montrose Fire Department. This space was renovated to include an upstairs area for programming.

 

This home was a perfect fit until 1995 when the forward-thinking board of trustees realized they would  again outgrow the space and purchased the property where the current library is located.  In July of 1997, the move was made to its current home at 185 Kings Ferry Road.

1998

1998-2020: Growing Pains

After living in its new home for five years, it was determined by the library board that the children’s room needed a small addition and that the unfinished upstairs space should become a larger community room (named the Constance Dyckman Community Room in 2006); this work was completed in 2002.

 

In 2011, it was the teens who received a dedicated space in the lower level of the library and, in 2013, the second floor space was redesigned to provide additional study rooms, office space and a patron lounge with vending.

 

2017 brought with it big changes, with the opening of the 1200 sq. foot addition to the children’s library (2018 named the Leonora Roth Children’s Library), the installation of 289 solar panels, and the dedication of the Debra Appel Chomiw Rain Garden. Two of the three original public restrooms were completely refurbished in 2020 with generous support of a grant made possible by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef.

1999

Continued Evolution 2020-2025

From 2020 to 2025, the library underwent significant improvements to better serve the community. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, leading to temporary closures, virtual programming, and enhanced safety measures. Despite these obstacles, the library continued to develop its facilities, completing the long-awaited renovation of its final three restrooms, including a vibrant mural in the children’s restroom. Outdoor spaces were enhanced with the installation of a beautiful garden featuring interactive musical instruments, along with the addition of a permanent Story Walk© (created by Jonathon Wong, Eagle Scout project) to encourage literacy and outdoor exploration. Sustainability efforts were also prioritized with the installation of an EV charging station, while critical upgrades to the HVAC system ensured a more comfortable and energy-efficient environment. Many of these projects were made possible through grant funding, including support from NYS Public Library Construction Aid, NY Senator Peter Harckham, and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. These efforts reflect the library’s commitment to innovation, accessibility, and community engagement.

2021

Hendrick Hudson Free Library Sustainability Awards

The library has received numerous awards from local, county, state and library associations for their leadership in promoting sustainability in all areas of their operations (financial, social and environmental):


2015 first library in Westchester to obtain Green Certification from the Green Business Partnership;

 

2016 awarded the Joseph Shubert Library Excellence Award for being a leader in sustainability efforts in NYS libraries;

 

2018 New York Library Association – Completion of the Sustainable Library Certification Program;

 

2016 & 2018 — Westchester County ECO Awards

 

Awarded for being the first library in Westchester to be certified as a Green Business and establishing itself as a leader in promoting sustainability 

2025