The Jones Library is pleased to announce a grant of $200,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund in support of the Jones Library renovation and restoration. The grant specifically supports the renovation of the Woodbury Room (a 200 person meeting and presentation room that will be available for public use, even after Library hours), and the creation of a display room for the Town’s Civil War Tablets. Given to the Town in 1893, and inscribed with the names of the more than 300 residents of Amherst who fought in the Civil War (including 21 Black members of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and the 5th Massachusetts Cavalry), the Tablets are a uniquely informative resource for conveying the full breadth of the Town ‘s history.

Library Director Sharon Sharry noted, “We are thrilled to be awarded this grant from the Cultural Facilities Fund. The Woodbury Room and the Civil War Tablets Room are vital components to our community, helping us to connect with each other and our history. These spaces will help to enrich the cultural vitality of Amherst for decades to come.”

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In addition to grants and town funding, this historic project also depends on the support of individual donors. You can make your mark on Amherst’s town center by making a donation toward the Capital Campaign. If you are interested in naming a space within the renovated and expanded library, please contact Lisa DeGrace (Director of Development), at info@joneslibrarycapitalcampaign.org.

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