Category: History of Russell Library

• In Defense of “Aggressive Ductwork”

  A Totally Tubular Story from 1981 Woah … Hold up. I’m not aggressive. I’m a connector, man. I know how to listen, and I like to just hang out. I’ve been doing that for over 40 years now. I’m the ductwork in the Russell Library, and I’ve come to correct the record. The architects who…

  Kim S.

  August 17, 2026

  History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Libraries, Secrets of Russell Library

  Activity Room, AggressiveDuctwork, CharlesSaltsman, CheSeraSera, Ductwork, HardyHolzmanPfeiffer, LobbyDesk, MIT, NavalArchitectureAndEngineering, RaymondEngineering, SpiralStaircase, VirginiaHatchRoom

• Che Sara Sara… a Window Reflects

  Dear Lord … are we all expected to do one of these now? How tedious. Oh, very well. The radiator insists it is important for posterity. He has been repeating that argument since my installation, and after 150 years I have learned that it is often easier to let him have his way. Since you…

  Kim S.

  August 10, 2026

  History of Russell Library, Middletown, CT, Secrets of Russell Library

  1940s, AggressiveDuctwork, AHistoryOfTheGothicRevival, BroadStreet, CheSeraSera, ChristChurch, EdnaWilder, FrancesRussell, HardyHolzmanPfeiffer, HEParsons, JaneAusten, JCPenney, LordByron, MainStreet, MiddleOak, MiddlesexMutualAssuranceCompany, MrClitonOsborne, MrsAliceOsborne, NationalTrustForHistoricPresevation, PoeticalWorks, PrideAndPrejudice, Radiator, ReadingRoom, RussellFamilyMotto, RussellLibraryHall, StickyCorner, TheChildrensCorner, WhateverWillBeWillBe

• More’s the “Pit”-y

  as narrated to Ramona Burkey The year was 1983. Michael Jackson performed the “Moonwalk” for the first time, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space … and Middletown was expanding its public library. Up until then, the Russell Library had consisted of an old converted church, a 1930 addition, and a…

  Amy S.

  July 20, 2026

  History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Libraries, Secrets of Russell Library

• A Rainbow Remembers…

  Like … Wow. Where am I? Right … Middletown… Broad Street in Middletown. I’ve been here in front of the Russell Library since, like… 1973? You’ve probably seen me. I’m Rainey … the Rainbow, and I’ve been spreading good vibes at the library for over 50 years. I became part of the scene when they…

  Kim S.

  July 6, 2026

  History of Russell Library, Inside Stories, Kids and Teens, Middletown, CT

  1970s, 1980s, 1980sRenovation, BroadStreet, BroadStreetMiddletown, ChildrensLibrary, FirstFederalSavingsAndLoanOfMeriden, HistoryOfTheRainbow, NewBuilding, NewLibrary, RaineyTheRainbow, RefractionNumber3, RonaldWCross, RonCross, ROYGBIV, RussellChildrensDepartment, RussellChildrensLibrary, RussellLibrary, RussellLibraryRainbow, WesleyanUniversity

• Concerts, Crafts, Clubs – Summer Programs for Adults

  “Summer is a-coming in”, and there’s plenty to do at the Russell Library! No, not just for kids (although there’s plenty for them, too). In fact, there is an entire slate of events for adults this summer. Here’s an overview of programs happening at the library. 1. Three Can’t-Miss Musical Events On Saturday June 27th,…

  Jack B.

  June 8, 2026

  Contests, Events, History of Russell Library, Libraries, Library Services, Middletown, CT, Movies, Mysteries, SummerReading, Technology

  AmericanRedCross, Books&Brews, ChessClub, Concert, Crafternoon, FinancialLiteracy, Indigenous, LocalHistory, Mysteries, pixar, popcorn, RussellLibraryGames, summer reading, summer reading challenge