An original newspaper report has revealed how thousands of people gathered to celebrate the opening of Ilkeston’s Carnegie Free Library in August 1904.
The detailed account, published by the Nottinghamshire Guardian three days after the ceremony, describes decorated streets, music from Ilkeston Borough Band and a procession from the Town Hall to the new library.
The newspaper reported that 4,000 local schoolchildren assembled outside the building carrying small flags and hymn sheets. As the procession left the Town Hall, they sang Forward Be Our Watchword, accompanied by the band.
The report also settles uncertainty over who opened the library. The ceremony on 24 August 1904 was performed by the Marquess of Granby on behalf of his father, the Duke of Rutland. The Duke had intended to attend but was prevented by illness, reported elsewhere as an attack of gout.
Andrew Carnegie, whose £7,500 gift made the new library possible, was also absent. He visited Ilkeston the following May, when he was formally presented with the Freedom of the Borough.
The newspaper described the library’s electric lighting, specially designed polished-oak fittings and rooms devoted to lending, newspapers, magazines and reference material. Its correspondent concluded that the building formed “a notable addition to the architectural features of the town”.
Below is a cleaned transcription of the original report, retaining its language and detail while correcting obvious printing and scanning errors.
Source: Nottinghamshire Guardian, 27 August 1904
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY AT ILKESTON
OPENING CEREMONY
PRESENTATION TO FIRST FREEMEN
All classes of the community joined in celebrating with befitting eagerness and enthusiasm the opening of Ilkeston’s new free library on Wednesday.
The event evoked a remarkable demonstration, and the day’s programme, which was of a comprehensive character, attracted attention, not only in Ilkeston and the immediate district, but in centres further afield.
Neighbouring municipalities shared in the ceremonial, and the day is likely to remain memorable in the annals of the town.
Of modern growth, the municipality of Ilkeston has pursued a career of marked enterprise, and it thoroughly merited the congratulations attendant upon the completion of its latest phase of public work.
Not more than three years ago a temporary library was opened in Bath-street, but the premises were soon found to be inadequate, and a scheme for extending the idea was launched.
In this movement the authorities were fortunate to secure, through the kindly offices of Sir Walter Foster, the generous support of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, who, by a gift of £7,500, made possible the erection and equipment of a building worthy of the town, and of the spirit which prompted the actions of the promoters.
This building it was which the Marquis of Granby opened on Wednesday on behalf of the Duke of Rutland, K.G., lord of the manor of Ilkeston.
It had been hoped that the venerable duke, whose interests are closely linked with the prosperity of the town, would have been able to perform the ceremony, but unhappily indisposition at the last moment made it impossible for his Grace to attend.
His absence was keenly regretted by all classes, and especially by those who had interested themselves in the provision of the new library.
Advantage was taken of an occasion unique in the borough’s history to enrol upon the records the names of the first honorary freemen of the borough, the Duke of Rutland, “in testimony of its high opinion of his eminent services to his country and the borough,” and Sir Walter Foster, M.P., “in testimony of its high appreciation of his services to the borough.”
It was natural that such an event should be celebrated with rather more than usual ceremony, and the programme for the day furnished a whole series of interesting episodes.
An appropriate inauguration was to be found in the presentation of the freedom of the borough at the Town Hall, followed by a luncheon in the same building, with the opening of the library as the concluding item.
The principal streets were gaily decorated with flags, and the inhabitants testified to their lively interest in the proceedings by assembling in large numbers in the Market-place to witness as much of the ceremonial as was possible.
PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM
The proceedings commenced with a meeting in the Council Chamber, over which the Mayor of the borough (Ald. C. Maltby) presided, and at which the freedom of the borough was presented to the Marquis of Granby on behalf of the Duke of Rutland, and to Sir Walter Foster, M.P.
At the outset the Mayor acknowledged the receipt of a communication from the Duke of Rutland, in which his Grace explained that since he last wrote he had suffered a relapse, and his doctor had told him he must abandon all hope of being able to go to Ilkeston.
His own sensations fully confirmed the verdict. He must, therefore, with very great regret, take no part in the interesting proceedings of the red-letter day at Ilkeston.
The presence of his son and daughter would, he hoped, be taken as proof of the interest which he had felt, and endeavoured to show, in the prosperity of Ilkeston, and which would be felt and shown by those who came after him.
Councillor W. Shakespeare then moved a formal resolution for the presentation of the freedom of the borough to the Duke of Rutland, observing that the people of Ilkeston associated themselves with the expressions of regret and sympathy which would doubtless be expressed by the Mayor in making the presentation.
Councillor H. Moss seconded, remarking that they greatly appreciated the noble work which the duke had done for his country. Ilkeston owed him a great debt of gratitude for what he had done for the town, and the Victoria Park on the west side and Cotmanhay Recreation Grounds were keenly appreciated amongst his numerous gifts to the district. (Hear, hear.)
The resolution was carried with acclamation.
In making the presentation of the casket to Lord Granby on behalf of the duke, Ald. Maltby expressed his own sympathy and the deep regret of all that his Grace was unable to come amongst them.
He had done the very best thing, however, in sending his son and daughter as substitutes. (Applause.)
The intrinsic value of the gift which they offered to the duke was nothing as compared with the goodwill with which it was offered.
He hoped Lord Granby would convey the expressions of goodwill which were paid to his dear old father, and that the words he saw with his eyes would for that reason be enhanced to him like the Duke of Rutland owed a deep and lasting gratitude. (Applause.)
The Mayor then handed the casket to the Marquis of Granby.
The handsome silver-gilt caskets are oblong in form, with the arms of the borough of Ilkeston in enamelled heraldic colours, also views of the free library and the parish church in enamelled panels.
The moulding is studded with rubies and emeralds, and the bottom portion of the casket is enriched with scrollwork and the English rose.
The decorated supports are formed of the arms of the borough. The lid is composed of a series of graceful mouldings, having the monogram and the coat of arms of the Duke of Rutland in one instance, and those of Sir Walter Foster in the other.
The caskets stand on a silk velvet pedestal and are enclosed in morocco cases.
The inscriptions on the caskets are as follow:
“Presented with the freedom of the borough of Ilkeston to the Most Noble John James Robert Duke of Rutland, K.G., G.C.B., P.C., D.C.L., LL.D., in testimony of its high opinion of his eminent services to his country and the borough. Charles Maltby, Mayor; Wright Lissett, Town Clerk. 24th August, 1904.”
“Presented with the freedom of the borough of Ilkeston to Sir Walter Foster, Kt., M.P., M.D., D.C.L., LL.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, in testimony of its high appreciation of his services to the borough. Charles Maltby, Mayor; Wright Lissett, Town Clerk. 24th August, 1904.”
Lord Granby, in response, said if anything could add to the embarrassment which he felt on that occasion in trying to represent his father, it would be the extremely kind wishes which had fallen from the Mayor.
He knew it was almost impossible for him to adequately express the views which would have been given to them by his father were he present.
He was asked by him, however, to say—and he was proud to repeat—that he felt most deeply the position he was placed in, because he was looking forward with intense pleasure to coming once more amongst his friends at Ilkeston and receiving at their hands that very signal mark of appreciation.
As they knew, a not altogether undiagnosed illness had laid him low, and as he had been laid up some time with the gout, his medical adviser forbade him very unwillingly to go to Ilkeston.
He was looking forward to the visit, especially as that free library was the consummation of a work in which he had taken a deep interest for many years, and in the promotion of which he took the initial step some time ago.
He (Lord Granby) should hand the beautiful casket to his father, who would deeply appreciate the presentation of the freedom as a mark of their kindly wishes towards a man who, Lord Granby added, had done his best on behalf of his country.
In the name of the duke he tendered his deep and grateful acknowledgements of their kindness on that occasion. (Applause.)
Councillor F. Chambers then moved a similar resolution to the first, conferring the freedom of the borough upon Sir Walter Foster, and entered into the latter’s career during the time he had been a Member of Parliament.
Councillor W. Richards seconded and alluded to the development of Ilkeston and its enterprise.
The resolution was carried with unanimity.
The Mayor next presented Sir Walter with a casket containing the certificate of freedom, observing that his kindly disposition as the representative of that division in the House of Commons had endeared him to opponents and friends alike.
Having attached his signature to the roll of freemen, Sir Walter Foster acknowledged the presentation.
The general spirit in the resolution throughout the proceedings seemed to run into generous and friendly appreciation to one who had done a humble part in giving the town of Ilkeston as a portion of his constituency.
He thanked them most heartily for the distinction they had conferred upon him.
In future years, when he summoned up remembrances of many years he had served up remembrance of them, there would be no day in his life which would carry with it happier memory than that when they had given him that signal mark of their appreciation and esteem—and in that spirit which, throwing aside with splendid sincerity all feeling of party strife, was a token of their esteem and regard. (Applause.)
The company then adjourned to luncheon, on the invitation of the Mayor, the toasts including “The King and Royal Family” and “The newly-admitted Freemen.”
OPENING THE LIBRARY
At the conclusion of the luncheon a procession to the Free Library was formed, the town councillors leading the way, followed by the invited guests and the aldermen, with the Marquis of Granby, Sir Walter Foster, and the Mayor and Town Clerk bringing up the rear.
A large square space, marked out by Venetian masts gaily beflagged, had been formed in front of the new building for the purpose of accommodating the children from all the schools in the borough, and nearer the library was a reserved enclosure for the citizens and their friends.
In the interval of waiting the Ilkeston Borough Band played selections of music, and there was a big crowd to witness the procession and the subsequent ceremony.
The library occupies a commanding position in the Market-place, is designed in the Free Renaissance style, and built of red brick with stone facings and a handsome stone porch, above which appears the inscription “Carnegie Free Library.”
It comprises on the ground floor a commodious entrance hall, lending library in the centre, with the newsroom and ladies’ room on the right, and reference library and magazine room on the left.
A stone staircase leads to the first floor, where are situated students’ and patent libraries, with a large store gallery.
The librarian’s house and the staff rooms have separate entrances from South-street.
The building is fitted with specially designed polished oak fittings, and is lighted throughout with electricity.
It was erected by Mr. Thomas Barlow, of Nottingham, to the designs of Messrs. Hunter and Woodhouse, of Belper and Derby.
Apart from its utility in meeting a long-felt want, it forms a notable addition to the architectural features of the town.
Elaborate arrangements had been made to secure the interest of the younger generation in the inauguration of a scheme which is fraught with especial possibilities for their advantage.
The vast majority of the assembled children, of whom there were 4,000, were supplied with a tiny flag and with hymn papers, and at a given signal from a conductor’s rostrum, coinciding with the departure of the procession from the Town Hall, they burst forth into the joyous strains of “Forward be our watchword,” accompanied by the band.
After the principal participants had taken their places, another hymn was sung, and the vicar of Ilkeston, the Rev. E. M. Evans, offered up prayer.
Ald. Hunt, chairman of the Free Library Committee, then presented to the Marquis of Granby a silver-gilt key, suitably inscribed.
The Marquis of Granby unlocked the door of the library and, returning from a brief visit of inspection, addressed the onlookers from the porch.
It was with great pleasure that he declared the library open. They were there to put the finishing touch to a work which his father was one of the first to initiate in Ilkeston, and it was a source of regret to the duke that he could not be present to share in the ceremony.
Having traced the history of the movements in Ilkeston, the noble marquis said that it would be impossible to exaggerate the educational advantages of such institutions as this.
They brought within reach of the very poorest of the community, who would otherwise be unable to avail themselves of it, all the wisest thought and knowledge the world had obtained. (Applause.)
Sir Walter Foster, proposing a vote of thanks to the Marquis of Granby, said that the Duke of Rutland had always shown a kindly interest in the welfare of Ilkeston, which was very gratifying to the people, and honourable to the duke himself. (Hear, hear.)
It would have been, he was sure, no small gratification to the duke to have witnessed the completion of a building which was erected to carry out an idea which he had done much to foster.
Theirs was now possessed of a building which would be a credit to any borough, and was a crowning credit to the generous donor who had provided it for their lives. (Hear.)
If used and managed rightly it was likely to be a source of perennial profit and pleasure to the people in the district, and to the great multitude of workers who had made the district rich and prosperous.
They had in this movement a happy conjunction of the best type of feudal nobility with the modern captain of industry.
Of the former type we have no worthier representative than the Duke of Rutland, who had given the best energies of his life to the service of the State.
The past and the present and the future were joined together in a common cause, and they hoped that from it would flow untold and illimitable blessings to all who lived in the town and district. (Applause.)
Mr. Charles Woollcroft, one of the oldest supporters of the library movement in Ilkeston, seconded the resolution, which was carried with acclamation.
The children waved their tiny flags and cheered lustily, and a scene of unwonted animation and picturesqueness was prolonged for several seconds.
The Marquis of Granby expressed his acknowledgement, and in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Andrew Carnegie for his gift, paid an eloquent tribute to the donor’s public-spirited generosity.
Mr. Frank Searby, honorary secretary of the Free Library, seconded, and the resolution was adopted with marked enthusiasm.
A similar compliment to the Mayor, and the singing of the National Anthem terminated the proceedings to a close.
Subsequently an opportunity was afforded of viewing the library, and the Ilkeston Borough Band continued selections of music for some considerable time.
