Mary Willis Library
🏢 Bartram Trail Regional Library System · Washington, Georgia
Mary Willis Library
Founded in 1889 as Georgia's first free public library, the Mary Willis Library anchors Washington's historic courthouse square inside a landmark Queen Anne building with original Tiffany stained glass — and has never charged a penny for a library card.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 204 E. Liberty Street, Washington, GA 30673
Phone: (706) 678-7736
Website: btrl.net
Plus Code: 865VP7P6+8Q (Washington, GA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Mary Willis Library
Dr. Francis T. Willis established this library in 1889 as a memorial to his daughter Mary, donating his personal book collection, $15,000 for construction, and a $10,000 endowment — making it the first free public library in the state of Georgia at a time when all other Georgia libraries required subscription fees. The building was designed by prominent Atlanta architect Edmund George Lind in the Queen Anne style: detailed brickwork, a steep gabled roof, a dome-capped corner tower, and a central memorial window crafted by Tiffany Studios. Two later additions — a 1977 annex and a 1991 wing — expanded the original 2,655-square-foot structure to more than 12,000 square feet without disturbing its historic character. Today Mary Willis Library serves as headquarters of the Bartram Trail Regional Library System, named for naturalist William Bartram who traversed northeast Georgia in 1773–1777, and extends services to Wilkes, Taliaferro, and McDuffie counties through branch locations and a bookmobile circulating more than 5,000 items. The library's genealogy collection — covering census and tax records, cemetery data, and local histories — draws researchers from across the Southeast.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Georgia's first free public library, opened January 1889 — years before most Southern states had public library laws
- Original Tiffany Studios memorial stained glass window in the 1889 reading room
- Queen Anne building designed by architect Edmund George Lind, a Washington landmark
- Genealogy collection: census records, tax digests, vital records & Wilkes County histories
- Bookmobile circulating 5,000+ items across the three-county Bartram Trail region
- System headquarters serving Wilkes, Taliaferro & McDuffie counties
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free library card unlocks Georgia's full suite of online resources — available 24/7 from any device:
📚 Services
- Free public library card (Wilkes County residents & BTRL service area)
- Genealogy research collection (census, tax, cemetery & vital records)
- Computer & internet access
- Voter registration assistance
- Bookmobile service (Wilkes, Taliaferro & McDuffie counties)
- Meeting room rentals
- Interlibrary loan via PINES statewide network
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program (children & teens)
- Story time for children
- Monthly craft projects for senior citizens
- Traveling puppet shows
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northeast Georgia
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Washington · Browse all Georgia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mary Willis Library really Georgia's first free public library?
Yes. When it opened on January 15, 1889, it was the first library in Georgia to offer completely free access — all other Georgia libraries at the time required subscription fees. Dr. Francis T. Willis's $10,000 endowment ensured residents never had to pay to borrow books.
Are the Tiffany windows original to the 1889 building?
Yes. The central memorial window in the original reading room was crafted by Tiffany Studios and installed when the building opened in 1889. It remains in place and is one of the library's most celebrated architectural features.
What genealogy resources are available at Mary Willis Library?
The library holds an extensive local history and genealogy collection covering Wilkes County and northeast Georgia, including census records, tax digests, cemetery data, and genealogical histories. Through GALILEO, Georgia's statewide database portal, you can also access additional census collections and vital records digitally with your library card.
What counties does the Bartram Trail Regional Library System serve?
The Bartram Trail Regional Library System serves three counties from its Mary Willis Library headquarters in Washington: Wilkes County, Taliaferro County (with a branch in Crawfordville), and McDuffie County (with a branch in Thomson).
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
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