HISTORICAL HOTSPOT: WALTON-DEFUNIAK LIBRARY

 

 

 

 

 

Walton County’s white sand beaches and turquoise waters are timelessly beautiful. But if you’re itching to immerse yourself in local history (and enjoy some much-needed shade), the Walton-DeFuniak Library is a must-see.

Located in the historic district of DeFuniak Springs, the Walton-DeFuniak Library has the distinction of being the oldest continuously operated library in the state of Florida. The library – like the town itself – was named in honor of Captain Frederick De Funiak, a veteran officer and President of the Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad.Opened in 1887, the historic library is a cornerstone of the DeFuniak Springs Historic District, and we have the Chautauqua movement to thank for the library’s inception. The movement swept across the nation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, encouraging a lifelong commitment to education and cultural enrichment. And when the Chautauqua Association held its first session in DeFuniak Springs in the late 1800s, residents realized they needed a well-stocked library to support the community.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Ladies Aid Society (later rechristened as the Ladies Library Association), the Walton-DeFuniak Library was born. The ladies raised $580 to cover construction and rental expenses, erecting the building near beautiful Lake DeFuniak. Once the library opened to the public in December of 1887, these women took turns serving as interim librarians until 1902, when Alice Fellows, the first official librarian, was hired.

The library quickly became a space for cultural and intellectual exchange, thanks in part to the newly built railroad in the region. Guests from all over the area came to visit DeFuniak Springs, and the library was funded by subscription payments from contributing members until the local government assumed financial responsibility in the 1960s.

Though the library is equipped with modern amenities, it still retains its historic flare and an extensive collection of reading materials. There are over 25,000 volumes available in the library, but one in particular will excite fans of Southern literature and classic novels alike. Walton-DeFuniak Library is home to a very special first edition copy of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee signed and gifted the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to the library during a private tour, adding a rare gem to the library’s collection.

In addition to To Kill a Mockingbird, Walton-DeFuniak Library houses nearly 800 historically significant books, some of which date back to the 1800s. The library is also renowned for its historic weapons collection, housing an assortment of antique arms and armor. From Japanese handguns to Kentucky muskets and African spears, the library has Palmer College’s Professor Kenneth Bruce to thank for its collection.

No matter where you live in Walton County, treat yourself to a step back in time at the Walton-DeFuniak Library. Whether you want to peruse the rare books, admire the weapons collection or marvel at the 19th-century architecture, this historic library can help you dive into local history and gain a deeper appreciation for the area’s rich past.