Dyer Memorial Library

Dyer Memorial Library Dyer Memorial Library: History & Genealogy of Abington, Rockland, Whitman

Dyer Memorial Library & Archives: Bridging the past to the future for the communities of Abington, Rockland and Whitman, MA
- Research your genealogy and family history!
- Discover the history of your town!
- Explore and learn history through our collections!

You never know what you'll find in the stacks at the Dyer Memorial Library. Since the musical Hamilton is playing in Bos...
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.

This Sunday - October 12, 2025, at 2 PM, the Historical Society of Old Abington will host Kevin Donovan for a conversati...
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.

A very successful Abington Celebrates today! A great tour of Mt. Vernon Cemetery this morning was followed by an open ho...
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!

Abington Celebrates, October 4, 2025, 12:30 to 3pmVisit the Dyer Memorial Library and its remarkable collections for Abi...
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.

OPT IN ? The Historical Society is preparing their last mass mailing for postcards promoting the monthly "Conversation...
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 !

Abington Celebrates, October 4, 2025, 12:30 to 3pmVisit the Dyer Memorial Library and its remarkable collections for Abi...
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.

The Historical Society of Old Abington has released their Fall 2025 Semester of "Conversation" and other related materia...
09/17/2025

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

The Dyer is doing fall cleaning and these binders are free for anyone who can use one or more. Just stop by the Dyer Mem...
09/02/2025

The Dyer is doing fall cleaning and these binders are free for anyone who can use one or more. Just stop by the Dyer Memorial Library any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 11-3 and take what you need.
Thanks, the Staff

The attached document (link) is an address by Dr. Donald Yacovone given Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Unveiling of the ...
07/29/2025

The attached document (link) is an address by Dr. Donald Yacovone given Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Unveiling of the Restored Monuments at Island Grove Park, Abington, Massachusetts. The address not only celebrated the rededication of Island Grove Civil War monuments, it reminded residents of their forefathers dedication to the abolition of slavery. In fact Yacovone noted that “By 1835, just four years after the founding of the “Liberator”, Abington had become a hotbed of Garrisonian abolitionism, far more than any other town in New England”. Though nine years have passed since Dr. Yacovone’s address, the information contained within bears repeating and remembering. Dr. Yacovone's address is a publication of The Historical Society of Old Abington, Inc.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WzqWK5uOHYmZqxXk7YbFU1kUlTpmmDUf/view?usp=drive_link

A CIVIL WAR FLAG was donated to the HSOA today by Sue Porter Kramer, handed down to her by her late mom, Barbara Lincoln...
07/06/2025

A CIVIL WAR FLAG was donated to the HSOA today by Sue Porter Kramer, handed down to her by her late mom, Barbara Lincoln Porter Meisler. It was last flown by the family for the country's Bicentennial in 1976.
It carries the name of her ancestor Micah Nash, born in Abington February 28th, 1824. The 5'6 x 8'6 35 star flag was only in use for 2 years, from 1863-1865 with the admission of the state of West Virginia. The 36 star flag replaced it with the addition of Nevada.
The fabric is very gauze-like. The staggered arrangement of stars seems to be unusual. The stitching is irregular. We noted a second name along the border which may be A. R. Richmond. Walter Tinkham Richmond was Sue's grandfather on her mom's side so this is likely another family name.

The Dyer Memorial Library is open from 11am to 3pm pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but will be open from 11am...
06/18/2025

The Dyer Memorial Library is open from 11am to 3pm pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but will be open from 11am until 8pm on Wednesday, June 25th. Visit us to discover the local history and genealogical collections and see the Library’s current exhibit Re-Imaging the Revolution in Old Abington: Four Stories, Three Towns, One Legacy. This special exhibit explores the effects of the American Revolutionary War on the people of Abington, the soldiers who went off to fight and the people who stayed at home. The exhibit uses original objects, documents, furniture, and reproduction items, from the collections of the Library and the Historical Society of Old Abington. A leather wallet owned by Deacon Elezar Whitman (1755-1846) and inscribed with the word Liberty on the cover. A Letter from Col. Aaron Hobart, dated June 8th, 1775, and listing out the supplies that he can offer to Samuel Cheever and the Committee of Supplies, including “kittiles” (kettles), other ironwares, and “a good teem of 5 cattel.” And List of Soldiers from 1781 with the name of Primus Cobus (1764-1820), an African-American teenager who served alongside other Abington men. This exhibit is sponsored by a grant from the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.

Address

28 Centre Avenue
Abington, MA
02351

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm

Telephone

+17818788480

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