Vermont's State Historic Preservation Office has awarded the 2026 Preservation Excellence Award to the John Woodruff Simpson Memorial Library in East Craftsbury. The honor recognizes the library's director and board for their preservation stewardship, historical documentation, and community education efforts.
State Historic Preservation Officer Laura V. Trieschmann praised the library. "We are exceptionally proud to celebrate the John Woodruff Simpson Memorial Library for their dedication to preserving our cultural heritage. Their work reminds us that a small building can hold profound community history, providing an inspiring model for communities across Vermont."
The award follows the library's recent listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination, prepared by architectural historian Polly Allen, documents the library's history, including a period when it had the highest per capita book circulation rate in Vermont.
Library Director Kristin Urie expressed gratitude. "We are thrilled to receive this award and are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our work to preserve the library and the community history held here," she said. "Over the past five years, we have been working to archive materials in our special collections with the goal of preservation and access."
Founder Jean Walker Simpson, known as "Miss Jean," converted her family's former general store into the library in 1921. She served as head librarian for nearly 60 years, personally delivering books to rural families and fostering local arts and civic groups.
Historic preservationist Polly Allen noted, "Every month is a symphony of events and activities that are emphasizing the human connections that Ms. Jean Simpson engrained in the fabric and life of the library."
Originally reported by North Star Monthly.
Photo: Austin via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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