Topping Off — Honoring the Past and Anticipating the Future

By Lisa Oldham

One word comes to mind when I think about  New Canaan — community, and the spirit of community has been at the heart of the New Canaan Library since the very beginning. The first chapter of the Library started in 1877 with a group of dedicated local residents who came together to create The Free Reading Room on Elm Street — with 200 used books and a forward looking vision.

We’ve seen the strength of our community at every turn throughout our history, as the Library has changed locations, evolved its collection and services, and grown in countless ways. Today is no different. As I look out on the bustling construction site that will be the home for the NEW New Canaan Library, I see the contributions of so many individuals who have committed their time, talents, and support to make sure that New Canaan continues to thrive.

This Tuesday, April 12th, marked an important milestone in the building project as our construction team led our “Topping Off” ceremony — when the final and highest beam was placed into position. We gathered and watched as the beam soared above our heads on a perfect spring day — how fitting. It has been astounding to watch this building come to life over the past six months through all kinds of weather. In a short time, the steel has been erected, the foundation completed, and soon, the exterior walls will be in place.

View of the Library Green — featuring the new Library (left) and the Legacy Building (right)

The NEW New Canaan Library is our next chapter — just like at the beginning, it is the result of a group of dedicated local residents committed to our community. The new Library is designed to reflect the town’s rich architectural heritage and embrace the forward-looking attitude of the mid-century modern movement. I’m delighted to now share with everyone an image showing the Legacy building situated on our beautiful campus — overlooking the Library Green where families will gather for many generations.  As I've shared this image with many people over the past couple months, it has been wonderful to see the overwhelmingly positive reaction New Canaanites have had to this elegant placement of the Legacy building. 

I look forward to the day when we can all gather on the Green where our rich history will be on display as we honor the past and anticipate the future of this community we love. 

Photos from the Topping off Ceremony - April 12, 2022