History of Wedsworth Memorial Library Timeline

January 1915:               Will of Augustus Wedsworth provides for establishment and maintenance of a public library in the Town of Cascade

September 1936:          First public library as a project of the Work projects Administration.  Opened in basement of Old Stockmen’s Bank Building.

February 1937:             Library was moved to Wedsworth Hall

August 9, 1943:             Resolution made before Cascade County commission, approved and placed on file for the creation of a County Library in the Town of Cascade       [ have copy of minutes, but the resolution cannot be found]          

June 30, 1959:               Agreement between Board of County Commissioners of Cascade County and Board of Trustees of the Great Falls Public Library of the City of Great Falls,  creating a free public library of the county of Cascade.  …extension of library presently in Town of Cascade shall be continued

January 1962:               Cascade Library officially changed to Wedsworth Memorial Library

February 3, 1970:         Resolution No 371 {or Resolution No. 271} authorizing Town of Cascade to execute a deed from Town of Cascade to Wedsworth Memorial Library and Gymnasium Trust created under will of August Wedsworth for land

February 10, 1975:       Warranty Deed (Reel 97 Document 9-1) B & Y Store [Charles & Shirley Cunningham] sold site of Town Hall/Wedsworth Library land to Town of Cascade

March 24, 1975:           Bill Perry moved that the City Council should donate half of the building to the Wedsworth for a library. Council approved

1976:                               Wedsworth Library moved to present location at 13 Front Street North

1990:                               The back storage room was remodeled and made into a story hour area

1998:                               Montana State Library requires all Montana Libraries to submit proof of being properly created as public entities

May 13, 1998                Darlene Staffeldt of Montana State Library Association letter response to materials submitted by Wedsworth Memorial Library for legal certification of Wedsworth Memorial Library

History of Wedsworth Memorial Library Timeline

June 26, 1998:               Ned Jennings, City Attorney for Town of Cascade, responds to Darlene Staffeldt of Montana State Library Association letter of May 13, 1998                                  

                                         Mr. Jennings submits proof that entitles Wedsworth memorial Library to continue to receive state aid

                                         “The budget adopted August 9, 1943 shows at item 248, a final budget adoption for “County Library”, (Book 16 Page 3). Book 16 Page 35, item number 15033, shows a designation and budget of a Cascade Librarian, and at page 23, item Number 15033, a designation and additional budget of the same person as a Branch Librarian.    

August 6, 1998:             Town of Cascade Resolution No. 416 reaffirmation of creation and establishment of Wedsworth Library

December 2, 2003:      Wedsworth Memorial Library buys land for new addition from Cunningham estate

November 9, 2005       Friends of the Wedsworth Memorial Library formed to raise money for the expansion and remodeling activities as well as provide for future needs of the library.

2010                                Contractor hired and construction of outer shell of new addition began

2012                                Outside shell of Library addition was completed

September 2012           Jackie Strandell retired at Director/head librarian; Nancy Royan hired as new Director/head librarian

June 2013:                     Wedsworth Memorial Library Board of Trustees asked Montana State Library Association for clarification of governing body over Wedsworth Library

                                         Tracy Cook of MSLA finds several problem areas with Library structure

October 2014                Inter-Local Agreement signed designating Wedsworth Library as a City-County Library

2014                                Interior of library addition was completed

February 2015              Financial procedures change –shift bill paying to Town of Cascade

June 2015                      Jackie Strandell officially cut the plastic and became the first to step thru the opening into the new addition. 

July 2015                        New Addition opens for use

June 2016                      Stone and brick façade installed on front of Library

March 2017                   New outside sign installed for library “Wedsworth Memorial Library”

November 2017            Friends bought trailer for Library to use as book storage for annual book sale. Placed in the name of Town of Cascade

July 5, 2022                    Plaques for Jackie Strandell Addition installed

September 25, 2022     Dedication/Ribbon cutting ceremony of Jackie Strandell Addition