Established 1886
Main Library
By adoption of an ordinance on April 18, 1885, a donation of $11,862.67 made to the City of Princeton by the last will of Nehemiah Matson for the purpose of establishing a free public library was accepted by the city council in trust.
In February 27, 1886, the first Board of Directors of Matson Public Library was confirmed by the city council and the library opened its doors.
The first meeting of the new Board of Directors took place on March 10, 1886 and for the next three years, the Nehemiah Matson fund was held as an investment until a location for the library was decided upon and secured. After a lengthy process, it was decided that the first library was to be located in the building at what is now 529 South Main Street in Princeton, IL.
In 1890, we were already expanding. The Matson Public Library located on South Main Street in Princeton was first opened for use by the public. It remained in use for 22 years. In the summer of 1912, the Chicago architectural firm of Patton & Miller was contracted to begin work on the permanent library facility in the main square of Princeton. A year later, the new facility was opened to the public.
94 years later, a city-wide referendum was passed to allow construction to begin on a new, 28,000 square foot facility at 698 East Peru Street. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in August 2007 when the new facility was given to the people of Princeton.
My name is Dave heininger
Leslie Matson was my grandfather .
My dad passed away 3 years ago my mom Jeanne matson heininger left in there house some things she thought were important special about him and the time he did missionary work in Jamaica .
Wondering if anyone there would like to look through it? We have no one to pass it along too. Thx dave
Hi, Dave – We’ve shared your note with our curator, Margaret Martinkus. If you wouldn’t mind giving a call to the library 815-875-1331 or e-mail to help@princetonpl.org and provide your contact information, we’ll have someone get back to you.
Dave, hello! My name is Melinda Matson, and I moved to Princeton three years ago from my previous life. I’m now happily ensconced in my own home and looking to make some changes to the Matson library building. This is most amazing to read your note as I’ve been scouring Princeton and the outer regions for any Matson’s left in the vicinity. Please call or text me at 925.330-2435.
My email is Queeniematson@yahoo.com. To say that I’m
thrilled to know about you would be an understatement!
of course we would like to have these items. We have named our meeting room after your family and feature art work depicting the matson library building.