Ogunquit Memorial Library
🏢 Maine Balsam Libraries · Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit Memorial Library
A gift to the coastal village of Ogunquit, the Memorial Library opened in June 1898 when Philadelphia philanthropist Nannie Conarroe donated a fieldstone building in the H.H. Richardson Romanesque style — along with 1,500 books and an endowment — to honor her late husband George. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it remains a cherished gathering place steps from the Atlantic.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9am–2pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–5pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–2pm |
| Saturday | 9am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 166 Shore Road, Ogunquit, ME 03907
Phone: (207) 646-9024
Website: ogunquitlibrary.com
Plus Code: 87MF6CV3+H9 (Ogunquit, ME)
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📖 About Ogunquit Memorial Library
The Ogunquit Memorial Library was commissioned in 1897 by Nannie Conarroe of Philadelphia, who summered in the Ogunquit-York area with her husband George and wished to leave a lasting memorial after his death. Contractor Edward B. Blaisdell constructed the fieldstone building to architect Charles M. Burns's H.H. Richardson Romanesque design, and it opened to the public in June 1898 with 1,500 donated books and a permanent endowment. A 1914 addition supervised by trustee Luther Weare expanded the reading space; Weare also built the library's cherished grandfather clock in 1941, its case inlaid with ivory Masonic emblems cut from antique piano keys. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and protected by the Ogunquit Historic Preservation Commission. Preservation work has continued into recent years with new hand-crafted entrance doors (2007, by Matthew Browne and The Rovnack Group), re-roofing, window repairs, and chimney repointing to protect the historic fabric from coastal weather. The library belongs to the Maine Balsam Libraries consortium and offers digital resources through Cloud Library and Digital Maine.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Historic 1897 fieldstone building in the H.H. Richardson Romanesque style, opened June 1898 — one of Maine's most architecturally distinctive village libraries
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and with the Ogunquit Historic Preservation Commission
- Founded by Nannie Conarroe of Philadelphia as a memorial gift; she donated 1,500 books and a permanent endowment
- 1941 grandfather clock handbuilt by trustee Luther Weare, with inlaid ivory Masonic emblems cut from antique piano keys
- Member of Maine Balsam Libraries consortium, giving cardholders access to Digital Maine and Cloud Library e-books
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Ogunquit cardholders can borrow e-books and explore Maine's statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Book lending and interlibrary loan via Maine Balsam Libraries
- Community programs and meeting space
- Technology support drop-in (Wednesdays noon–2pm)
- Local and Maine history reference assistance
- Cloud Library e-book and Digital Maine digital access
🎸 Programs
- Book Club (third Tuesday of each month, 10:30–11:30am)
- Fiber Arts Group — drop-in knitting and fiber crafts
- Book Arts workshops
- Ogunquit History Group
- Seaside Speakers Series — community lectures
- Story Hour for children
📍 Nearby Libraries in York County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Ogunquit Memorial Library and why?
The library was founded by Nannie Conarroe of Philadelphia, who commissioned it in 1897 as a memorial to her late husband George. The couple had long summered in the Ogunquit-York area. Mrs. Conarroe donated the fieldstone building, 1,500 of her own books, and an endowment fund to ensure its upkeep — giving the village a free public library that opened in June 1898.
What is the architectural style of the Ogunquit Memorial Library?
The 1897 building was designed by architect Charles M. Burns in the H.H. Richardson Romanesque style, characterized by its rough-cut fieldstone walls, rounded arches, and sturdy massing. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is protected by the Ogunquit Historic Preservation Commission as one of the town's most significant historic structures.
What is the story behind the grandfather clock inside the library?
The library's grandfather clock was handbuilt in 1941 by longtime trustee Luther Weare, the same man who supervised the 1914 building addition. Weare inlaid the clock case with ivory Masonic emblems that he cut from antique piano keys — making it a unique piece of folk craftsmanship that remains a beloved feature of the library interior.
What are the library's hours, and is it open on Sundays?
The library is open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. It is closed on Monday and Sunday. The library is also closed on major holidays.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.