Our building began its life in 1825 as Jericho Academy, serving the community as a school and then a parish house through the 19th century. The library, which was founded in 1899, moved into the building in 1915. The Town of Jericho acquired the building in 2005. Part of the Jericho Center Historic District, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

 

Currently, our historic building is not accessible and can only be entered by navigating a set of steps up to the front entrance. In 2011, the Town of Jericho began discussions on much-needed accessibility upgrades to the building, establishing a relationship with Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA) in 2012.  VIA drew up plans for a renovation project which would make the building more accessible, while also providing more programming and meeting space for use by Town officials, the library, and the general public.

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Work has been delayed at several points over the past 13 years due to difficulties in raising the funds to complete the project. In 2023, recognizing the importance of ensuring that our building is welcoming and accessible to all community members, the JTL Board of Trustees and library staff began applying for grants and raising funds to make our plans a reality. With renewed focus on this project, we obtained updated cost estimates for the project and welcomed structural engineers into our space. These inspections also revealed a pressing need for critical structural repairs, including work on the building's foundation, attic, cupola, and front porch. 

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This fall and winter, we are inviting our patrons, neighbors, and friends to help us preserve and strengthen the Jericho Town Library for generations to come. With $100,000 already committed from the Town through ARPA funds and additional private donations, we are well on our way—but we need your support to reach our goal. The first phase of the project, covering all critical structural repairs, will cost $325,000. Phase Two will focus on long-overdue accessibility upgrades, including a ground-floor entrance and an accessible bathroom, so that every member of our community—especially those using mobility aids—can enjoy our programs, collections, and historic space. Both phases bring our total fundraising goal to $750,000. Every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to ensuring our beloved 200-year-old library remains safe, welcoming, and accessible to all. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation or joining our newly reactivated Friends of Jericho Town Library group. Together, we can keep this historic heart of our community thriving for the next 200 years.