JOSEPH GRANO CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE
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Chesley Memorial Library receives grant from the
Robert C. Grano Charitable Fund

Joseph and Theodora Grano

The Chesley Memorial Library of Northwood, New Hampshire is pleased to announce that they will receive a recurring grant from the Robert C. Grano Charitable Fund, Gulf County, Florida to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his father's immigration to the United States on October 28, 1920. The grant will be used to establish the "Joseph Grano Children's Initiative" to promote exploration of the natural world, music, art, diverse cultures, adventure travel, and craftsmanship.

Joseph Grano emigrated from Campobasso, Molise Region, of Italy with his mother and brothers to join their extended family in Boston, MA and Waterbury, CT, who had lived in the United States since 1887. In 1991, Joseph Grano donated the two-story wing of the Chesley Memorial Library in memory of his wife, Theodora Kalem Grano. Joseph Grano was a renovation contractor from Arlington, Massachusetts who restored and lived in the 1778 Batchelder House in Northwood, originally built on King's Grant land. Due to the widening of Route 4, the 1778 house was moved to Grafton, Vermont and the 1806 barn was moved to the Sanborn Mill Farm in Loudon, New Hampshire.

The Chesley Memorial Library Director, Staff, Friends of the Northwood Library, and its' Trustees, along with the Town of Northwood, are grateful to Robert Grano for continuing his father's legacy of nourishing children's curiosity with experiential education.
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The Conservation License Plate Program

Restored Our Historical Main Entrance

The Chesley Memorial Library received a Conservation License Plate "Moose Plate" Grant from the Division of Historical Resources. The grant of $6,491 restored the main entryway to the library.
 
To begin the restoration process, a French Drain was installed to keep the water away from the sill beam and to keep the water from seeping into the basement. The right-hand pilaster was repaired and the front door was removed so the inside of the door could be refinished to its original luster in a warm, dry environment. A new door opener was also added as well as a door sweep.
 
The Trustees and Library Director thank all of its patrons who helped by sending letters of support. The sincerity of the support letters was noted in the approval process. We love our library, and especially our historical architecture, it is worth preserving.