LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the found-
ing of the Robert Bacon Memorial Library, Westbury, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across the great State
of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 90th
Anniversary of the founding of the Robert Bacon Memorial Library to be
celebrated on Saturday, June 21, 2014 in Westbury, New York; and
WHEREAS, The library first opened its doors on June 24, 1924; it was a
gift to the Westbury community by the Bacon family in memory of Colonel
Robert Bacon, the Secretary of State and Ambassador to France under
President Theodore Roosevelt; and
WHEREAS, After Colonel Bacon's death in 1919, his widow, Martha, want-
ed to pay tribute to her husband in keeping with his desire to be an
inspiration and to awaken big ambition in young people; it was then that
Martha Bacon decided to build a memorial library dedicated to children;
and
WHEREAS, Martha Bacon hired local architect Julian Peabody to design
the library and used Colonel Bacon's library at Old Acres, the Bacon
estate in Old Westbury, as a model; the fireplace and mantel are repli-
cas of one in the French Embassy in Paris; inscribed in gold letters on
the mantel is the French motto Colonel Bacon often repeated to his fami-
ly: "Cherchez la ligne du beau," meaning "Seek the line of the beauti-
ful"; and
WHEREAS, As well as the building, Mrs. Bacon donated gifts of art to
the children's library; on permanent display is a collection of rare
wooden birds carved by Elmer Crowell; other valuable objects include an
original letter by Beatrix Potter and paintings by Kate Greenaway,
Leslie Brook, Arthur Rackham and Newel C. Wyeth; and
WHEREAS, The children's library was originally privately endowed and
operated as an independent institution for 40 years; in 1965, it became
incorporated with the Westbury Memorial Public Library; and
WHEREAS, The original building was renovated in 2005, and now includes
a mural by Sal and Nancy Moccia reflecting the folktales of the cultural
background of the children of Westbury; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Robert Bacon Memorial Library is
in direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of the library over the years; one of these
individuals was Jacqueline Overton who, although originally intending to
stay for six months preparing for the library's opening, continued on
for 25 years of faithful service; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Robert
Bacon Memorial Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as
it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the Westbury community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate
the 90th Anniversary of the Robert Bacon Memorial Library, Westbury, New
York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Robert Bacon Memorial Library.