Endowments for the Hudson Library
This list may be incomplete.

 The Eldridge Reading Room  

     In donating $75,000 for this beautiful reading room, which overlooks the new park, shops, and restaurants, Bill Eldridge said; “Pat and I wanted to give back to the community as it has given to us”.  The room is designed as a quiet reading area but is also available for groups looking for a comfortable meeting area.

The Friends of the Library 

    The Friends donated $25,000 towards the construction and furnishing of “The Friends Room”.  The Friends plan to play a more dynamic role in the new library.  The room, which is in a prominent location near the front door, will be used for the Friend’s popular book sales as well as a number of new services, which are being developed.

  Paul and Molly Bodden help to enhance the library’s gardens and patio area

     Paul and Molly Bodden have very generously donated $54,000 to enhance the library’s gardens and patio area.  This gift will allow a number of improvements, which could not have been afforded otherwise.  The Boddens have worked tirelessly with the contractors to plan the improvements. 
    The Children’s Garden will honor Marge Origlio, a long-time Children’s librarian.  The Adult Garden will honor Pete McDonald for the many things he has done for the Library.  Pete is also designing a delightful divider/sculpture between the two gardens.  The improvements will include lighting and plantings to help make this area a truly beautiful part of the new library.

Western Reserve Academy has endowed a Study Room

     The Western Reserve Academy has endowed a Study Room, which is located between the Children’s Library and the Young Adult Library.  The room is available for group work or for tutoring. 
     “Given the historic relationship between WRA and Hudson, we are proud to be afforded the opportunity to support this important enterprise”, said headmaster Henry “Skip” Flanagan.

Capt. Jerry Lindh, USAF, Study Room 

       Leonard and Rowena Lindh have endowed a study room in memory of their son, Capt. Jerry Lindh, USAF.  Jerry, a 1981 graduate of Hudson High School , graduated from the Air Force Academy and became a pilot. He flew the Air Force F111 and was named a “Top Gun”.  In 1992, he heroically stayed at the controls of his plane as it headed, out of control, towards the village of Upper Heyford , England .  Jerry was able to change the course of the plane in time to avoid hitting the village, but at the cost of his own life.  Jerry’s sacrifice is credited with saving an untold number of civilian lives.
     We feel privileged to be able to honor Jerry Lindh’s memory and heroism, while, at the same time, giving the young adults in the community a role model to whom they can look up.  The story of Jerry Lindh will be portrayed on the wall of the Study Room named in his memory.

   The Hudson Education Association, through donations from individual teachers, has endowed a study room for children. This is a quiet room that can be used for group work or tutoring.  David Spohn, president of the HEA, said, “The opening of the new library is a shining example of this community’s commitment to the spirit of education and learning.  Our members are proud to participate in this project.”

     The new library contains 6 study rooms.  They have all been endowed.  In addition to the three already described, others have been endowed in the names of Millie T. Bubb , The Faul Family, and   Dr. Gerald S. Kanter.

      The Laurel Lake Association endowed the reading room located near the large meeting rooms.  This lovely room, sometimes referred to as the “eye on the community” is at the southeast corner, looking our on the new Green and the stores surrounding the green.  It is a very comfortable, attractive room that is ideal for quiet reading.  It will also be available for gatherings.  The 400 square foot room also contains several attractive display cases for historical artifacts.

Children's Room Bench

Bench: 

League for Service

     The new meeting rooms will have a lectern, thanks to a generous gift from the Hudson League for service.  The League, which also helps fund children’s programming, wanted to help the new library in an appropriate way.  The lectern will be greatly appreciated by the many groups expected to be using the meeting rooms.

     The Hudson Library and Historical Society, in its new building, will be able to display many of the artifacts that are currently in storage.  There will be 18 display cases and two vignette rooms throughout the library.  The displays will be changed throughout the year.
     Several of the display cases have been endowed.  Rob and Karin Swedenborg have endowed a large display cabinet that will be located in the Eldridge Reading Room. 
     Mike and Sue Baker have endowed a gun display case to be located in the meeting rooms.  The display will have several guns, including a Brown Bess, which was carried in the American Revolution by a Parmalee, of the family, which was among the first settlers of Hudson.  

     Pete McDonald has donated 7 wonderful pictures, which he has painted of various Hudson landmarks.  Several of these pictures will be hung in the meeting rooms.  Three others will be located in the Café.  One of those in the Cafe will be the Brewster Store, and another will be the Brewster Mansion.   Because of those two pictures, the coffee shop will carry the name Brewster.      
     The Brewster family, which traces back to the Mayflower, was an important family in the early days of Hudson.  This gift makes it possible to use the café to highlight some of the heritage of Hudson .  There will be a display on the wall of the café, which will tell the story of the Brewster family.

     The Hudson Garden Club has made a very welcome donation towards trees and plantings in the area behind the new library.  Carol Smith has also assisted the library with suggestions and help with the planning.  The area behind the library, including the Brandywine Creek and the area west of the creek will provide a park-like setting which will greatly enhance the library.  There will be a walking path along the creek and a children’s activity area on the west side.

Trees