Dyer Memorial Library

12/02/2025

Giving Tuesday — Support the Dyer Memorial Library!
A big thank you to Bob Johnson and the Abington Garden Club for the festive holiday decorations.
On this Giving Tuesday, we invite you to support the Dyer Memorial Library and help us continue preserving the history of the old town—the communities of Abington, Rockland, and Whitman, once united as one.
The Dyer safeguards irreplaceable materials that tell the stories of the people who built and shaped these communities: historic photographs, family records, military documents, maps, journals, and more. These collections help genealogists reconnect with their roots, support students and researchers, and ensure that future generations can understand and appreciate the legacy of the old town.
Your Giving Tuesday gift strengthens this work and helps us protect, preserve, and share these remarkable collections.
➡️ Donate here: https://givebutter.com/dyersupport2023
Thank you for helping keep the stories of the old town alive.

11/26/2025

Before Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, states proclaimed their own days of Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving Proclamation in the collection of the Der Memorial Library was issued by Gov. Caleb Strong for Massachusetts in 1812. Happy Thanksgiving from the Dyer Memorial Library!

11/12/2025

The Dyer Memorial Library had a wonderful time today at the Abington Council on Aging's Veterans' Lunch. We brought some treasurers from the collections, like this 1861 Call to Arms broadside from the Civil War. It was great meeting and talking to many veterans who shared their stories with our historical ones.

11/05/2025

10/22/2025

You never know what you'll find in the stacks at the Dyer Memorial Library. Since the musical Hamilton is playing in Boston, here at the Dyer Library we have this sermon "The Sixth Commandment Friendly to Virtue, Honor and Politeness. A Discourse, in Consequence of the Late Duel" by Samuel Spring from August 5th, 1804. Spring was one of many Federalist ministers who used the famous Burr-Hamilton duel as an opportunity to speak out against the practice of dueling in Early America. Accompanying the sermon is a small newspaper clipping reporting the duel.

10/07/2025

This Sunday - October 12, 2025, at 2 PM, the Historical Society of Old Abington will host Kevin Donovan for a conversation about the history of the Abington Fire Department.

Everyone is welcome to come to the Dyer Memorial Library at 28 Centre Avenue in Abington to enjoy the first of the HSOA's three fall conversations.

Please join us!!!

10/05/2025

Beautification Project at Mt. Vernon Cemetery

Mt. Vernon Cemetery has been operating as a private, non-profit corporation since 1853. The corporation raises and manages all the funds used to maintain and enhance the cemetery grounds.

If you/your family would like to help add to the beauty and charm of this scenic property, you/your family may purchase a tree, which will be planted by Mt. Vernon’s superintendent and his staff.

The Mt. Vernon superintendent will have the final say as to what type of tree is chosen and the placement of said tree. Trees and planting sites are chosen based on the best needs and practices of Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

To find out more about this beautification project at Mt. Vernon, please contact Superintendent John Burnett at (781)630-3607 or Eileen Walls, a Mt. Vernon Cemetery Corporation trustee, at ecwalls60@gmail.com.

10/04/2025

A very successful Abington Celebrates today! A great tour of Mt. Vernon Cemetery this morning was followed by an open house at Dyer Memorial Library. And a big thank you to Bob Johnson and the Abington Garden Club for the outside decorations!

09/24/2025

Abington Celebrates, October 4, 2025, 12:30 to 3pm
Visit the Dyer Memorial Library and its remarkable collections for Abington Celebrates!
Learn all about the history of burial grounds, cemeteries, and gravestones! Explore the Dyer Memorial Library’s collections on local history, genealogy, military history, and much more.

09/24/2025

OPT IN ? The Historical Society is preparing their last mass mailing for postcards promoting the monthly "Conversations" in the Fall and Spring. They'll increasingly be relying on email notifications.

The postcards aren't going away, but in order to receive them you'll need to "opt in". They had "opt in" sign up sheets at the Spring Semester Conversations earlier this year and several of you chose that option. You'll still get the cards. They'll continue to have the sign up sheets throughout the Fall Conversations and we hope to see everyone there !

09/18/2025

Abington Celebrates, October 4, 2025, 12:30 to 3pm
Visit the Dyer Memorial Library and its remarkable collections for Abington Celebrates!
Learn about the fascinating history found in the local cemeteries and burying grounds of Abington, Rockland, and Whitman—the people buried in them, the different markers and memorials, cemetery maps and grave locations, the types and materials of gravestones. Original maps, mourning images, coffin plates, and even gravestone pieces will all be on display.
See the current exhibit Re-Imaging the Revolution in Old Abington: Four Stories, Three Towns, One Legacy to learn more about Old Abington during the American Revolutionary War in honor of the 2500th Anniversary. The exhibit features the secretary desk of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, the 18th century pottery of John Henry Benner, and original documents with the signatures of John Adams, Lafayette, and others.
Explore Dyer Memorial Library’s collections on local history, genealogy, military history, and much more.

09/17/2025

The Historical Society of Old Abington has released their Fall 2025 Semester of "Conversation" and other related materials !