L. E. Smoot Memorial Library
🏢 King George County · King George, Virginia
L. E. Smoot Memorial Library
L. E. Smoot Memorial Library stands at 9533 Kings Highway as a testament to private philanthropy: built in 1969 and opened in 1970 entirely from a gift by Ann Hopewell Smoot in memory of her husband Lewis Egerton Smoot, who donated the land, the building, its contents, and $700,000 to the people of King George County. The library's Memorial Room — paneled in burled maple, furnished with a 16-foot solid cherry table, and lit by brass chandeliers — remains one of the finest civic interiors in the Northern Neck region.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 9533 Kings Highway, King George, VA 22485
Phone: (540) 775-2147
Website: smoot.org
Plus Code: 87C47R8C+6X (King George, VA)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About L. E. Smoot Memorial Library
L. E. Smoot Memorial Library was built in 1969 and opened in 1970 thanks to an extraordinary bequest from Ann Hopewell Smoot, who gave the land, the building, all contents, and $700,000 to create a library in memory of her husband, Lewis Egerton Smoot. Lewis Smoot was president and chairman of the board of Smoot Sand & Gravel and a descendant of George Washington's sister. The library's Memorial Room is one of its most distinctive features: paneled in burled maple, topped by hand-painted plaster cornices, fitted with a 22-foot Imperial Kirman rug and Scalamandré brocade draperies, and centered on a 16-foot solid cherry conference table with matching side chairs beneath brass chandeliers. The library serves King George County, a rural community on the Potomac River between Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck, and is a designated Passport Acceptance Facility. Two public notaries on staff provide free notarization for county residents. The library's Virtual Library section provides downloadable and streaming content, and all Virginia public library cardholders have access to Find It Virginia through the Library of Virginia.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Built 1969, opened 1970 — funded entirely by Ann Hopewell Smoot's $700,000 private gift in memory of her husband Lewis Egerton Smoot
- Memorial Room features burled maple paneling, a 22-ft Imperial Kirman rug, Scalamandré brocade draperies, and a 16-ft solid cherry table
- Designated U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility (services by appointment)
- Two public notaries on staff — free notarization for King George County residents
- Interlibrary loan available; meeting and quiet study rooms bookable online
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Smoot cardholders can borrow, stream, and research for free through Virginia's digital collections:
📚 Services
- U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility (by appointment)
- Free notary public service for King George County residents (two notaries on staff)
- Meeting rooms and quiet study rooms — bookable online at smoot.org
- Interlibrary loan ($6 shipping per item; periodicals $1)
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Reference department — (540) 775-2147 or Reference@smoot.org
- In-library Ancestry Library access
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytime and youth programs
- Teen events and activities
- Adult author talks and community programs
- Summer reading for all ages
- One-on-one appointments with librarians for personalized research help
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Northern Neck & Rappahannock Region
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in King George · Browse all Virginia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was L. E. Smoot, and how did the library come to bear his name?
Lewis Egerton Smoot was a businessman who served as president and chairman of Smoot Sand & Gravel and was a descendant of George Washington's sister. He died in October 1962 at age 82. His wife, Ann Hopewell Smoot, honored him by donating the land, building, all contents, and $700,000 to King George County for a public library. The library was built in 1969 and opened in 1970.
What makes the Memorial Room so special?
The Memorial Room is a remarkably preserved example of mid-century civic splendor. It is paneled in burled maple, topped by plaster cornices colored to match, and covered by a 22-foot Imperial Kirman rug. The draperies are Scalamandré brocade, the chandeliers are solid brass, and the centerpiece is a 16-foot table of solid cherry with matching side chairs — a room donated in its entirety as part of Ann Smoot's original 1969 gift.
Can I apply for a U.S. passport at the Smoot Library?
Yes. The L. E. Smoot Memorial Library is a designated U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility. Passport services are provided by appointment — contact the library at (540) 775-2147 or Reference@smoot.org to schedule. Bring the required documentation and fees as specified by the U.S. Department of State.
Does the library offer free notary service?
Yes. Two public notaries are on staff and provide free notarization for King George County residents. Contact the library to confirm availability before your visit.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
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