W. Thorne architect of Albury designed the library building and the plan was approved in June 1915 The building contractor was J. W. Cochrane of Albury. The land was purchased from Mr. Walter Huon. On the 28th July 1915 the Shire President, Councillor Beardmore, laid the foundation stone for the building that would become the Wodonga Public Library. Almost 12 months later, on the 8th March 1916, the library was officially opened. It was the pride of Wodonga. The Shire Council closed their doors for a brief period so that all staff could attend the opening and the teachers and children of the local schools also attended. Councillor Beardmore declared that “it was an asset that would return a profit- not in pounds and shillings and pence but in the development and furnishing of the minds and lives of our young people”. It was known as the Beardmore Library. The Wodonga Athenaeum, in an out of the way location, had closed in 1914 after continuing reports of a lack of funds and the proceeds of the sale of the building went towards the building of the new library. In 1915 the library building committee started to put together a building fund for a new library. The library, situated at 78 High Street, was funded almost exclusively by the public. The books from the Athenaeum were presented to the library committee at the opening in 1916. The new library was both a place for education and recreation, a communal space to socialise, which also boasted a billiards room downstairs. In March 1970 construction of a new Civic Centre which included a library began in Wodonga. With its completion the following year, the original library was closed down. The building was vacant for some time and deteriorated badly. It was later purchased by Peter Middleton, who extensively restored the building. These images have local significance as they document an important building in Wodonga.2 photos - one black and white and one in colour of the same brick building. The first photo is of the building when it served as the Wodonga Public Library. The colour photo was taken approximately 60 years later.Photo 1 - In Brickwork above the door: PUBLIC LIBRARY Photo 2 - Above door: MIDDLETONS CARPETSwodonga public library, wodonga buildings

Margaret Evelyn Evans Gordon married Arthur Lyulph Stanley, 5th Baron of Alderley, in 1905. Appointed K.C.M.G. in 1914, Sir Arthur served as Governor of Victoria from 1914-20. Lady Stanley became the first President of the Australian Red Cross, Victoria, in 1914. The foundation stone of the St Peter chapel was laid by Lady Stanley on 14 November 1916. The trowel (see item 2074) used for the laying of the stone was gifted to Lady Stanley and ended up in Toronto, Canada, where one of her daughters, Victoria was living. The trowel was presented to the Mission in 2019. A picture of the stone can be seen on the article of the Leader dating from Saturday 25 November 1916, page 25. The photograph shows the state of the plaque before the renovation works that finished in 2020.Photograph depicting the foundation stone laid by Lady Stanley in November 1916, in 2019.missing "Greater Glory of God ..is Stone was laid by The Honourable Lady Stanley November 14th 1916" Walter R. Butler F.R.I.B.A. Architect A.B. Robertson Builderfoundation stone, lady margaret stanley (1875-1964), sir arthur lyulph stanley (1875-1931), flinders street, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen building, st peter chapel, chapel, seamen's mission, m