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The Opening Ceremony

In October 1907 the official opening of the library was performed by the Rev. Dr. Robert Collyer. Robert Collyer, born in 1823 in Keighley, was an internationally famous preacher and a writer of distinction. From the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the blacksmith Jackie Birch in Ilkley before finding fame in America.

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Robert Collyer click on the image . (This opens in a new window.)

Sept 1907

It was originally believed the library would be open in September 1907. Robert Collyer had accepted an invitation to perform the opening ceremony. This date coincided with a trip of Robert Collyer from America to receive an honourary degree from Leeds University. The work on the library, however, had not been completed as planned. Postponement was impossible as Collyer had to go back to New York so the formalities proceeded.

The front of the library is graced with 2 life-size figures carved in relief and 2 medallions; the figures representing Literature and Science, and the medallions Minerva and Apollo.

2nd October 1907

The Library was officially opened by the Rev. Robert Collyer of New York. The Ilkley Gazette headline described it as 'an epoch-making event'. Collyer made a long address in which he spoke about his love of books and the utility of the Public Library.
It was an emotional occasion. Collyer was approaching his 84th birthday, it was 69 years since he had walked over Denton Moor to Ilkley become apprenticed to Jackie Birch the blacksmith and 57 years since he departed for America. This was his eighth visit since his emigration to the United States. Dr Collyer said that this would probably be his last visit to the place he loved so much and he promised his precious collection of Yorkshire books for the Library. This collection had been gathered together mainly by friends of Collyer after a fire in Chicago in 1871 when his library was burned with his home and he lost everything.
During the ceremony Dr Collyer was presented with a key to formally open the library and two bronze busts of Dr. Collyer and Mr. Carnegie were unveiled.

The Official Programme of the Opening of the New Public Library, Wednesday 2nd October 1907

The opening ceremony was attended by a crowd of 1,800 people which was said to be a record number for the town. After the ceremony there was a gathering in the unfinished Kings Hall (named named after Edward VII) and following hymns and prayers an illuminated address was presented to Dr Collyer. The crowd gave Dr Collyer a tremendous ovation.

The address reads: "Vivit post funera virtus" (Virtue survives the grave)

To the Rev. Robert Collyer.

Dear Sir, -On behalf of the inhabitants of Ilkley we beg to offer you our hearty congratulations on your having successfully undertaken the journey from America in your eighty-fourth year, also to express thanks for the kindly interest you have always shown towards our district and in everything tending to promote its progress and welfare, but more especially for the services rendered us on this occasion.
Though more than half a century has passed since you left Ilkley to seek your fortune in a far-off land, we know by your many acts of kindness that your love for the scenes of your youth and early manhood has never waned and that by opening our New Public Library today pleasant associations are revived which connect the present with the past through many bygone years.
We, therefore, feel proud to subscribe our names hereto in honour of a man whose long career has been devoted to the promotion of all that is good and noble in life, and trust you may long be spared to continue to use that influence by voice and pen which has already done so much for the benefit of mankind.
The Common Seal of the Ilkley Urban District Council was hereunto affixed this 2nd day of October, 1907, by

J. C. Barker (Chairman),
in the presence of
J. T. Jackson (Chairman of Town Hall Committee),
Isaac Dean (Vice-Chairman),

On the evening of the opening ceremony Dr Collyer was entertained to dinner by Mr J T Jackson on behalf of the Ilkley Urban District Council at Wells House.

The invitation reads:
Ilkley Urban District Council
Complimentary Dinner
given by Mr. Councillor J. T. Jackson, J. P.
to the Rev. Robert Coller, D. D., LL.D.,
on his opening the New Public Library at Ilkley
Wells House, Ilkley, Wednesday October 2nd, 1907

The front of the new Public Library and Town Hall buildings had been illuminated with coloured lights. Following the dinner, on the way to Elmleigh, Mr. Jackson's house, Dr Coller's carriage was taken along Station Road so that he could view the sight. The word had gone round and a 'dense throng' had gathered outside the Town Hall buildings. The Ilkley Gazette reported 'He obviously delighted in the demonstration and acknowledged the plaudits of the crowd by continually raising his black Puritan hat.'

27th April 1908

The Town Hall was opened by Mr J. T. Jackson who had laid the foundation stone some 2 years before. The interior had cost £3,900 to furnish.

This group photograph was entitled: "214 Ilkley townsmen show their interest in local affairs by attending the Official Opening Ceremony of the Town Hall."

To celebrate the opening of the Town Hall a performance of the musical comedy 'The Belle of Mayfair' by Mr. J. Bannister Howard's Specially Selected Company 'as played to Crowded Houses at the Vaudeville Theatre, London' was staged at 3.00pm with further performances in the evenings of April 27th, 28th and 29th at 8.00 pm.

Dec 1912

The foundation stone of the Winter Gardens was laid. The King's Hall had become a popular entertainment centre but it had no open access. The Library and Town Hall complex had not occupied all of the Sedbergh House site. The building of the Winter Gardens was completed during the following year.

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