Stanley Austin Ransom, Sr. - Founder of the Hartland Public Library

One man, many accomplishments – some history:

Stanley Austin Ransom, Sr. was born in West Granville, Mass, May 5 th , 1897, the son of Edward and Sara Stillman Ransom. Third child of a family of 7. He attended the Granville and West Hartland elementary schools and the Gilbert School in Winsted. After serving in World War I with the rank of corporal, he became affiliated with the Wm. L. Gilbert Clock Co. of Winsted where he was the Sales Manager, and the head of the specialty division. He also edited the company bulletin and was employed there for 43 years, retiring in 1962. His wife Charlotte also worked there and they lived in Winsted, CT.

In 1920 he married Charlotte Grace Sheldon of Winsted, and had a family of two sons and three daughters (Stanely Jr, David, Virginia, Florence, and Charlotte Grace). Stanley was known to have developed a strong interest in reading, in poetry and in all literature. He steadily acquired books and magazines that his personal library grew to about 3,000 volumes, all of which were accessible to his children.

Establishing permanent residence in Hartland in 1935, Stanley served the Town of Hartland as a member of the school Board, Regional representative, Justice of Peace, Trial Justice and Judge of Probate for the District of Hartland. His son remembers that both trials and marriages occasionally took place in their living room. He was very active in the affairs of the Second Congregational Church and in the choir along with his wife. He served as moderator and deacon of the Church. And in 1953 painted a 13’ mural on the Church wall still there today. An amateur artist, he was active in local art circles and the promotion of other cultural pursuits.

He became intensely interested in local History and was instrumental in the formation of Hartland Historical Society in 1953 of which he served as president. Researched, compiled and writing most of the copy for the book History of Hartland published in 1961. Affiliated with many business and civic enterprises, he was Corporator of the Winsted Memorial Hospital and Mechanics Savings Bank in Winsted, President of the Associated Business Service, President of Litchfield County Art Association, President of West Hartland Cemetery Association, Vice-President of the Union Agricultural Society which sponsored the Riverton Fair, Vice-Chairman of the Hartland Bi-Centennial Committee, as well as chairman of the Historical Committee. He, along with Harold Groth, founded the West Hartland Volunteer Fire Department in 1935. He founded the Hartland Library in 1965, donating many books from his own collection and was President. Anita Holt was secretary of the board of directors and librarian along with being curator of the Hartland Historical Society for many years. In 1974 he and Anita organized the library basement to exhibit of Hartland Historical Society artifacts and hold meetings. He died August 30, 1975 leaving a legacy not to be forgotten.

Here is a summary from his son Stanley: “Dad was a warm and friendly person who was interested in his community, his family, his church and especially in other people. He saw the needs of the Hartland community for services, and he was not afraid to start things going and take on the task of organizing until the need was met. He never tried to do it all alone, but he always tried to interest or involve other people until it became a team effort. He was a remarkable man in his ability to see the need and to get things done, and he worked hard on these projects and was very modest about his accomplishments”.

You can see more info and a few photos about the library on the poster at the front, along with the clock dedicated to Stanley, who started the library we have today.

We would like to thank Joanne Groth and the Hartland Historical Society, who graciously provided us this beautiful history of Stanley A. Ransom, Sr. and the founding of our Hartland Public Library. The Hartland Historical Society’s Gaylord House Museum is located up the road from the library, at 141 Center Street. They maintain artifacts from the Ransom family – paintings done by both Stanley and Charlotte, three generational wedding dresses, a family-made Dulcimer, Gilbert clocks, and so much more that Stanley Ransom obtained and stored to preserve Hartland History. We invite you to also visit the Gaylord House – which is open on first Sunday of each month (from May - October) or by appointment anytime of the year.