willard library

LAVERNEJ_12

This is the best place to check out art and history books. Had an art paper to do for class and Willard library has more diverse books. Also great for genealogy and atmosphere.

kwagmeister

I brought my visiting family here to see Indiana's oldest public library. They are from upstate New York and appreciate history, and staff members we met upstairs in the genealogy area were welcoming and helpful with stories about the building and it's founders. Downstairs in the children's area the librarian who has seen the famous 'grey lady,' shared stories with us about other sightings of the spirit. The building is beautiful and is undergoing an expansion. We didn't see the 'grey lady,' but one evening, while showing the exterior off to other out of town visitors, my daughter swears she saw her looking out the window. Visit if you dare.....it's worth it!

Landlocked47

That Willard Carpenter building this library for the people of Evansville is amazing. It is a lovely old building with beautiful hand carved woodwork. I ventured upstairs to the Genealogy Department and talked to a very knowledge man about the history of Evansville. I truly enjoyed our talk. If you like old buildings you should definitely stop in and see the Willard Library.

F1670NOjohnr

Very old library, amazing amount of info about local history, helpful staff. Just a little creepy though. (The building-not the staff)

BigDing

I stopped in at Willard Library while my wife was at an appointment to show my six year old step-daughter, who had never been, this famous old library. On previous visits I've been harassed as soon as I walked in the front door by unfriendly staff. This happened every time even though I possess a card for this library, and I am generally well heeled, and I don't think I appear homeless or prone to vandalism. But this time we received no negative welcome and made our way first to the basement where the childrens' books are located. The librarian on this level was friendly and helpful and after browsing for a while we continued upstairs with my goal of her seeing as much of the interior aesthetic as possible. In fact, every time we encountered an employee they were amiable and courteous. Hats off to the management for taking out the trash.

davidkD4789FV

The third floor of the Willard Library is an excellent resource to find information about genealogy. I found records that I could not find online. The librarians helped me find information about my family history. The resources at Willard Library help me locate the town where my family lived in Germany prior to their migration to the United States in 1837. The Willard Library is a great resource for my family genealogy research when I travel to Evansville, IN.

BBStacker67

This location is a must see. It reminded me of my childhood library. Lots of history in this library and the architecture is awesome.

rebeccamO3164US

Our family spent about 45 minutes walking around this old library. The building is beautiful. The staff was friendly even though we were there just to look around. There is no charge to enter the library and they are open every day of the week - easy to fit it in to a trip to Evansville.

lldavids44

A library with a unique children's collection in an old haunted house, with friendly staff and a great geneology section- truly one of a kind!

cmitch920

Great historical building full of genealogical gems. Didn't see the Grey Lady, but looking forward to trying again.

nancyye

A step back in time into an elegant building with beautifully handcarved wooden staircase, indicative of the town's woodworking and wood-orientation of the past, and a great genealogical resource for the area.

capricorn60us

I have been doing online research of my ancestors and needed information regarding the more recent, locally focused ancestors. I recalled my Mother telling me of her visits to Willard Library -- so I scheduled a visit there when I and my cousin had free time.I found a lot of what I was looking for, though a trip to court house records in other counties is next.Not only does the library have a lot of materials in book form but also in other forms for the researcher to access. The library is handicapped accessible -- park on the North side of the building, use the down ramp, and inside is an elevator to access the upper floors!This is a beautiful, historic building that lends the atmosphere of times gone by that seems so appropriate when researching local history of family members who lived in the Southwest Indiana area during the time the library was built!Love working on my geneology in this library -- and the staff were very helpful!Here is a wonderful site to learn more about this library, the expansion project, the online services, etc. http://www.willard.lib.in.us/index.php

charlesm318

Awesome old library, wonderful grounds for a picnic in the spring. I met my wife there!!! They have a well known ghost, the grey lady. They have a ghost came you can access to watch for her any time.Check this place out.

Belinda812

The building is fantastic. The history of the building and family are interesting, the years of ghost stories, the delightful staff, it is an amazing experiences.

Sailorbaba

I love all the beautiful carvings on the staircases...being an architectural woodcarver myself. Really grand old place if you love libraries. It is located in a pretty blah section of Evansville, but worth the trouble to find and see.