Martinez Library is a historic library located in downtown Martinez, California that is part of the Contra Costa County Library system.
15-784: Starting in the Fall of 1883, the Esse Quam Videre Club organized to establish a free reading room. Two years later in 1885 the Martinez Free Reading Room and Library Association was formed, operating out of a building owned by Dr. John Strentzel who charged nothing to the Association. Reading at the location was free, but the Association charged dues of 25 cents a month for the privilege to borrow books. In 1896 Mrs. John Strentzel and her daughter Louisa Strentzel Muir, wife of John Muir , donated land and
30-409: A new library was built by popular subscription for US$ 6,371 (equivalent to about $ 233,000 in 2023). After more than 40 years at that location, voters passed a US$ 18,000 (equivalent to about $ 373,000 in 2023) bond issue to fund a new library building. The new building was designed in an Art Deco style and completed in 1941. In November 2008 Measure H was passed narrowly by voters in
45-407: A new library was built by popular subscription for US$ 6,371 (equivalent to about $ 233,000 in 2023). After more than 40 years at that location, voters passed a US$ 18,000 (equivalent to about $ 373,000 in 2023) bond issue to fund a new library building. The new building was designed in an Art Deco style and completed in 1941. In November 2008 Measure H was passed narrowly by voters in
60-715: A pioneer in the area of experimental California horticulture . He is best known as the father-in-law of writer and environmental activist John Muir . Born in Lublin , Poland into a wealthy family, Strentzel was forced into exile after his participation in the Polish revolution of 1830 . To avoid being inducted into the Russian army, he and his brother Henry emigrated to the United States of America, settling in Texas in 1840. It
75-510: A week in the summer as part of the California Summer Meal Coalition. Many of the families that visited for the program had not been to the library before and had been unaware of the services offered beyond book lending. Library usage increased with the implementation of the program. John Strentzel John Theophil Strentzel (29 November 1813 – 31 October 1890) was a Polish-born physician who gained fame as
90-680: The John Muir National Historic Site . Strentzel is buried in a small, private cemetery, along with other family members (including John Muir). The cemetery, now owned by the National Park Service , is located near the family's Alhambra Valley home. Martinez Library Martinez Library is a historic library located in downtown Martinez, California that is part of the Contra Costa County Library system. Starting in
105-510: The Fall of 1883, the Esse Quam Videre Club organized to establish a free reading room. Two years later in 1885 the Martinez Free Reading Room and Library Association was formed, operating out of a building owned by Dr. John Strentzel who charged nothing to the Association. Reading at the location was free, but the Association charged dues of 25 cents a month for the privilege to borrow books. In 1896 Mrs. John Strentzel and her daughter Louisa Strentzel Muir, wife of John Muir , donated land and
120-502: The city of Martinez to renovate and expand the library. The bond specified a designated children's area, youth recreational opportunities, and improving disabled access. The US$ 2,000,000 (equivalent to about $ 2,794,000 in 2023) renovation work started in November 2010 and the library continued operating for 25 hours per week in a temporary location in the old train depot near Martinez station . The library continued operating in
135-444: The city of Martinez to renovate and expand the library. The bond specified a designated children's area, youth recreational opportunities, and improving disabled access. The US$ 2,000,000 (equivalent to about $ 2,794,000 in 2023) renovation work started in November 2010 and the library continued operating for 25 hours per week in a temporary location in the old train depot near Martinez station . The library continued operating in
150-908: The interim Depot Library until August 13, 2011 ( 2011-08-13 ) when it closed to transition back to the renovated building. The Martinez Library held the Grand Reopening on Saturday August 20, 2011 with over 1000 visitors entering the library that day. New self-service stations were installed along with new furniture and additional computers. The Martinez Library offers a variety of activities and resources for their patrons. Activities vary from story time and lego workshops for children to book clubs for adults. The library actively seeks to expose patrons to other cultures and has been hosting Chinese Lunar New Year celebration since 2009 ( 2009 ) . Lion dance and other Chinese cultural traditions have been showcased along with crafts. Lunches were provided to children and teens three days
165-838: The interim Depot Library until August 13, 2011 ( 2011-08-13 ) when it closed to transition back to the renovated building. The Martinez Library held the Grand Reopening on Saturday August 20, 2011 with over 1000 visitors entering the library that day. New self-service stations were installed along with new furniture and additional computers. The Martinez Library offers a variety of activities and resources for their patrons. Activities vary from story time and lego workshops for children to book clubs for adults. The library actively seeks to expose patrons to other cultures and has been hosting Chinese Lunar New Year celebration since 2009 ( 2009 ) . Lion dance and other Chinese cultural traditions have been showcased along with crafts. Lunches were provided to children and teens three days
SECTION 10
#1732801793147180-646: The precussor to the Martinez Library , by donating the use one of his buildings to be used as a reading room. After his death, his wife and daughter donated land on the town's Main Street, with the condition that a library be built immediately. After Dr. Strentzel's death in October 1890, John and Louisa Muir moved into the home. It is now preserved by the National Park Service as part of
195-570: Was poor so the family moved to Benicia . There a man they had known in Texas, recommended the near by town of Martinez, where they settled in the Alhambra Valley , "a lovely fertile valley protected by high hills, from the cold winds and fog of San Francisco". They purchased twenty acres where they grew crops and fruit. Strentzel was one of the first scientific horticulturists of the fruit-growing state; his ranch produced and shipped hundreds of tons of fruit annually. Years later, Strenzel
210-415: Was recognized as a foremost expert on California's budding horticultural industry. In 1880, Strentzel's good friend and companion, John Muir , married Strentzel's daughter, Louisa. In 1882, Dr. Strentzel constructed a 10,000 square foot home on a knoll above his orchards. As one of the wealthiest residents of the area, he and his family became socially prominent and he supported the community. He sponsored
225-597: Was there, in 1843, that he married his wife, Louisiana Erwin. In 1849 he made his way out west to California, eventually settling in the state's central valley, along the Tuolumne river , near the LaGrange mining camp, where he established a ferry, hotel and general store before moving on to the Merced River area. Illness and flooding of his home along that river forced him to move again. His wife Louisiana's health
#146853