Mary Willis Library, Public library in Washington, Georgia.
Mary Willis Library is a public library in Washington, Georgia, featuring Queen Anne architectural style with a steeply gabled roof and a dome-topped tower. The red brick structure includes multiple expansions and serves as a central hub for information and community services.
The library was founded in 1888 by Dr. Francis T. Willis as a memorial to his daughter Mary and was the first free public library in Georgia. It played an important role in providing free access to knowledge and education in the region.
The library serves as a community gathering space and holds rare books and genealogical records that show the area's roots and past. Visitors can explore historical newspapers to understand more about the region's heritage.
The library stands at 204 East Liberty Street, at the corner of East Liberty and South Jefferson in downtown Washington. The original 1889 building has been enlarged by two annexes, so the entrance area and reading rooms now cover 12,381 square feet. The Bartram Trail Regional Library System, which serves Wilkes, Taliaferro and McDuffie counties, is headquartered here.
The central memorial window was crafted by Tiffany Studios, not in New Haven; the library's stained glass, including this window, lights the interior. The original 1889 building covered 2,655 square feet, and later additions brought the facility to 12,381 square feet.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,716 contributors worldwide.
