Building A Brighter Future
brochure here
overview here
What the New Library and Community Center Will Offer
The Cornish Library and Community Center will be a resource space that brings us all together. Here’s a glimpse of what we are building:
Community Center Features:
- A flexible community room: An open and comfortable space for meetings, events, and gatherings where everyone can feel welcomed and share experiences.
- A kitchen for community use: A space designed to support a variety of community activities, whether for shared meals, gatherings, or other events that bring us together.
- A place for local art and exhibits: A dedicated area to showcase the talent and history of our community, celebrating what makes Cornish special.
- Comfortable, accessible facilities: The new building will have modern, ADA-compliant facilities, making it a space that everyone can use and enjoy.
- Access to technology: With public computers, Wi-Fi, and broadband internet, everyone can stay connected and have access to the tools they need.
Library Features:
- A Growing library collection: The new library will allow the collection to grow by 300%, offering a wealth of books, resources, and materials for people of all ages and interests.
- A special children’s room: A fun, safe space designed for kids to explore, play, and enjoy stories.
- An energy-efficient, welcoming environment: A bright, sustainable space where everyone can feel comfortable and inspired.
Building Together for a Brighter Future
We have been gifted a centrally located building, and now we have the opportunity to turn it into a space that truly reflects the heart of Cornish. Our goal is to raise $3 million to create this community center and library, and we’re excited to see how it will serve us all for generations to come.
This project is an opportunity to build something that works for everyone in Cornish—a place where we can come together, share ideas, and connect with our neighbors. The new library won’t just be about books; it will be a hub for our community to gather, learn, and grow.
Follow Our Journey
Stay connected with our progress as we work toward creating the Cornish Library and Community Center. Below is a brief history of the project, key milestones, and an interactive timeline to track our journey. You can explore the exciting steps we’ve taken together, including fundraising efforts, major decisions, and construction updates.
A Brief History
Several years ago, the Library Trustees identified challenges with the current Stowell building, which was donated over 100 years ago. After careful evaluation, an Exploratory Committee was formed to assess the issues and propose solutions. During this time, Colleen O’Neill generously offered to donate the vacant Cornish General Store building to be transformed into the new Library and Community Center.
The Cornish Community Initiative (CCI) stepped forward to facilitate the property transfer, lead the capital fundraising campaign, and manage the renovation process. With strong support from the community, warrant articles and agreements were drafted to ensure there would be no cost to residents of Cornish.
The community’s overwhelming support was clear when, in March 2023, Cornish voters accepted the project, moving us one step closer to building this new, shared space.
Interactive Project Timeline
Explore our journey through the interactive timeline, where you can see key milestones and updates on the project. From early planning stages to groundbreaking and construction updates, you’ll be able to follow each step as we move forward with this exciting community initiative.
Be Part of the Change
This project is a true community effort, and we want you to be a part of it! Here’s how you can get involved:
Donate Now
Every contribution, no matter how big or small, brings us closer to completing the new library. Your support is appreciated more than you know.
Use the Donate button to make an online contribution easily.
Other Ways to Give
Check: Please make checks payable to the Cornish Community Initiative and mail them to:
PO Box 123, Cornish Flat, NH 03746
Donations of Stock: Contact the CCI Treasurer for more information.
Donations from Retirement Accounts: If you’re over 70½, you can donate up to $105,000 (in 2024) from your taxable IRA directly to charity without incurring tax liability.
For more details, contact the CCI Treasurer.
Honor Someone Special
Celebrate or honor someone by making a gift in their name. This can be done in the online donation form, or by including a note with your mailed check to the address above.
A Place for Everyone in Our Community
Once the renovation is completed, and with the approval of the Cornish Library Trustees and Selectboard, the Cornish Community Initiative will donate the new library and community center to the town. This space will be ours, a place for everyone to enjoy.
Let’s Build This Together
This is a project that belongs to all of us. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just learning about the plan, we welcome you to join us on this journey. Together, we can create a space where every member of our community—no matter who they are or where they come from—can feel at home.
Thank you for your support, your time, and your ideas. We’re looking forward to what we can build together for Cornish’s bright future.