Walworth-Seely Public Library: Fleming

Mary Louise Fleming
A Ceremony – and an Absent Benefactor

The August 19, 1962, ribbon cutting ceremony at the Walworth-Seely Public Library was a bittersweet occasion, according to Mrs. Thomas (Mary Louise) Fleming.

Although it was a gala affair, the absence of one of its benefactors was sadly noticed when the doors of Walworth’s first library opened at 2256 Walworth-Marion Road (formerly known as No. 11 Marion Road.) The reason is the August 12 death of Dr. William Horace Foster Newman, one of the library’s chief early supporters.

Through the efforts of Dr. Newman and Mary Louise, his secretary/bookkeeper, more than 200 letters were mailed in the early 60’s. The letters were sent to Rochester area doctors, whose names were obtained from a medical journal, and to several large corporations, including Kodak and Xerox. The letters told of the community’s and Dr. Newman’s desire to have a public library, but funds were needed to accomplish this. Unfortunately, Mary Louise doesn’t know if this letter writing campaign was financially successful, but agrees that it certainly sparked interest in the project.

The Reverend Thomas and Mary Louise Fleming and their two sons moved to 47 South Main Street in June 1960, at which time Mary Louise became a patient of Dr. Newman. His office was located in the southern portion of the big house at 3647 Main Street. Dr. Newman, his wife Gladys, and their three children lived in the remainder of the home. When Dr. Newman asked her if she knew shorthand, she began working part-time as his secretary/bookkeeper. Nurse Beatrice Cole completed his staff.

When the Flemings moved to 3760 Ontario Center Road in September 1961, Mary Louise continued her office duties, taking dictation in shorthand, typing letters, and doing the billing at their home. Mary Louise stated that she still can take dictation, although admits to “being a little rickety”. The letters were typed on a manual typewriter, lacking the speed and efficiency of today’s computers. As an aside, she remembers that Dr. Newman had a heavy hand when signing the letters, and for many years his “signature” remained embedded in the soft mahogany wood of the Fleming’s dining room table.

A building which once housed Jay Seely’s tinsmith shop had been vacant for some time, and it was decided this would be the home of the new library. On January 27, 1960, the library had its beginnings as a reading room in this building. Inside were a pot bellied stove and a long row of piping for the heat. The front door (since closed in) had a book drop next to it. It is the current home of “Potpourri of Gifts”, owned by Edie Pasquini.

When the family moved to Walworth in 1960, Tom had just accepted the position as Protestant Chaplain at the Rochester Psychiatric Center. He retired from the RPC in 1981, becoming pastor of the Walworth Baptist Church from 1983 – 1985. In addition, he served as interim pastor at Lincoln Baptist Church for eight months in 1982. His artistic abilities are evident when a visitor enters the town hall/library complex. Hung on the upper level walls are wooden models he has carved and painted of area buildings, a reminder of our history.

The Flemings continue to have an interest in the library. An avid reader, Tom served as Board trustee from 1982 – 1984. Although Mary Louise admits she doesn’t have a library card, her love of books and reading is shared by their sons, Chip and Mark, who frequented the library during their years at Walworth and Wayne Central Schools.

Mary Louise believes that Dr. Newman would be very proud of the growth of the library over the past 40 years. The library has been a part of the town hall complex at 3600 Lorraine Drive since 1992, having outgrown its original location because of the town’s population growth.

According to Mary Louise, Dr. Newman was a pillar in the community, especially active in the Methodist Church where he taught a Sunday School class of young adults. “It was a sad day for all of us in the community to lose Dr. Newman as our family physician and friend”, she stated.
NOTE: Mary Louise Fleming was Interviewed on January 12, 2002 by Dorothy French.