About the Morristown-Hamblen Library Hamblen County's first library was established in 1925 by women's clubs in Morristown. However, the Morristown-Hamblen Library, as it is known today, was the result of funding provided by Miss Meta Turley Goodson. In 1965, Goodson gave a gift of $350,000 for the building of a new library. In doing so, "Miss Goodson stipulated that the City of Morristown and Hamblen County should provide the annual operating costs." Ground for the library was broken in May 1967. Before the library's completion, however, Miss Goodson died suddenly on July 30, 1968. From the beginning: "Miss Goodson was positive in her wish that the library not be named for her. The board urged that this be done and they were joined by the press and also by her friends. After several months the board agreed to abide by her wishes and the library was officially named 'Morristown-Hamblen Library.' This was her choice of names and she seemed quite relieved when official action was taken. After her death, a movement was started to re-name the library the "Meta Goodson Library." Despite their own personal feelings, members of the library board felt that to change the name in the face of her known strong opposition would be to betray a trust, so the name remained the "Morristown-Hamblen Library." Despite the debate over the name, the Morristown-Hamblen Library was officially opened to the public in 1969 and still remains a vital force in the community.
About the Morristown-Hamblen Library Hamblen County's first library was established in 1925 by women's clubs in Morristown. However, the Morristown-Hamblen Library, as it is known today, was the result of funding provided by Miss Meta Turley Goodson. In 1965, Goodson gave a gift of $350,000 for the building of a new library. In doing so, "Miss Goodson stipulated that the City of Morristown and Hamblen County should provide the annual operating costs." Ground for the library was broken in May 1967. Before the library's completion, however, Miss Goodson died suddenly on July 30, 1968. From the beginning: "Miss Goodson was positive in her wish that the library not be named for her. The board urged that this be done and they were joined by the press and also by her friends. After several months the board agreed to abide by her wishes and the library was officially named 'Morristown-Hamblen Library.' This was her choice of names and she seemed quite relieved when official action was taken. After her death, a movement was started to re-name the library the "Meta Goodson Library." Despite their own personal feelings, members of the library board felt that to change the name in the face of her known strong opposition would be to betray a trust, so the name remained the "Morristown-Hamblen Library." Despite the debate over the name, the Morristown-Hamblen Library was officially opened to the public in 1969 and still remains a vital force in the community.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
