When: October 2, 2024 - 6 pm

Where: Reedsburg Public Library,

Did you know that a proper bike in Reedsburg in 1899 could cost the equivalent of $1,500 today? Like many communities Reedsburg was trying to keep up with the times. One thing that was lacking was a public lending library, but that all changed 125 years ago when the first library opened in a downtown building on Main Street. In honor of the quasquicentennial anniversary of the Reedsburg Public Library a free presentation will be given on Wednesday, October 2 at 6 pm at the current Reedsburg Library building.

The presentation by SCHS Executive Director Paul Wolter will focus on what Reedsburg was like in 1899 when the library started at the cusp of the 20th century. From the local news to the prices of everyday products a glimpse of the bustling and growing city will be presented. It was a time when the automobile was about to be seen on the city streets and air flight was just around the corner. At the time it opened in May of 1899 it was hoped that the first free library would become “the pride of Reedsburg.”  Its founders would be proud and quite amazed at what a modern library has to offer.