Streetcar on Main at Fifth St., ca. 1930s

Streetcar Fourth & Main - July 4, 1898

Streetcar at New Coliseum

Before cars, Evansville ran on streetcars. Starting in the late 1800s, trolleys connected neighborhoods to downtown and shaped the city’s growth. By the 1930s they were gone—but their impact is still part of Evansville today.

#ThrowbackThursday #TBT #Evansville #IndianaHistory #Transportation

Southwestern Indiana Historical Society April event flier

Interested in time travel?
Learn how you can walk back in time: no machinery required.
Join us as Joseph Lutz presents Reitz Home: History & Happenings on April 21 at 6:30 PM in the Browning Gallery.
#SWIHS #WillardLibrary #LocalHistory

A night game of baseball played at Bosse Field, 1930s

Baseball team and marching band at Bosse Field, 1930s

Marching band playing at Bosse Field, 1920s

For generations, April has meant baseball returning to Bosse Field. A historic ballpark, hometown pride, and the start of spring — it doesn’t get much more Evansville than that.

#ThrowbackThursday #TBT #IndianaHistory #BosseField #BaseballHistory

Citizens National Bank on Main Street, 1916

The Economy Department Store on Main St & NW 4th, 1944

On March 27, 1812, Evansville was founded by Hugh McGary Jr. as “McGary’s Landing,” a small settlement along the Ohio, a prime riverfront location. Steadily over time, Evansville grew from a modest landing into the vibrant city we know today.

#TBT #LocalHistory #IndianaHistory #Evansville

Early portrait of Albion Fellows Bacon

Another early portrait of Albion Fellows Bacon

A portrait of Albion Fellows Bacon as an adult

Albion Fellows Bacon made a lasting impact on Evansville by improving conditions and quality of life for the city’s working-class residents. She helped establish the Evansville Housing Association, creating helpful changes in Evansville.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #WomensHistoryMonth #IndianaHistory

"Beware the Ides of March!"
Rome shook. Caesar schemed with whispers and daggers.
Meanwhile, Willard Carpenter plotted a different kind of power: a library.
No conspiracies. No secrets. Free for all. No exceptions.
Happy Birthday, to our founder, Willard Carpenter.

Author Kate Quinn and her book, The Astral Library

📚✨ Virtual Author Talk |Thursday March 12| 6:00–7:00 PM ✨📚

Join author Kate Quinn for a magical conversation about her newest novel The Astral Library — a story filled with hidden doors, daring adventures, and the power of stories to change our lives.

✨📖 Register here: https://loom.ly/-F9Dqv8

Employees stand outside Fendrich Cigar Company, ca. 1915

Women working in cigar factory, early 1900s

In 1855, Fendrich Cigar Company opened a shop in Evansville on Main Street, in part due to proximity to the Ohio River. After the building was destroyed by a fire in 1910, they opened a new location where Berry Plastics now stands.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #INHistory #Evansville

📚✨ Virtual Author Talk | Wednesday, March 4 | 1:00 PM CST ✨📚

Spend your afternoon laughing and reflecting with bestselling author and humorist Michael Perry! 👉 Register here: https://loom.ly/G-mAwUU

#AuthorTalk #MichaelPerry #LibraryEvents #MidwestStories #HumorAndHeart #CommunityEvents

Standing proudly since 1849, the Willard Carpenter House is one of Evansville’s most fascinating historic houses. Built for philanthropist and abolitionist Willard Carpenter, the home has been connected to local stories of courage and compassion.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #Evansville #LocalHistory

With your home library, how do you organize your books?

With your home library, how do you organize your books?
#whatareyoureading #Willardlibrary #readingisfun #organize

Brown wall with window light and shadow. Desk with stationary and laptop. WPL logo. "Voices From the Past. African American History In Evansville Newspapers. Since the 1800s."

Discover your story this Black History Month. 📚

Access the African American Heritage database from home with your Willard Library card through our Genealogy Research Tools.
You can also explore the Evansville Argus (1938–1943) on microfilm here in Special Collections. 📰

🏛️📚 Virtual Author Talk | Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 1:00 PM 📚🏛️

Discover the dramatic origins of the Smithsonian with historian Tom D. Crouch, author of Smithson’s Gamble!
👉 Register here: https://loom.ly/AyWGCSw

#VirtualAuthorTalk #SmithsonsGamble

Bosse Field in the 1920s

Team photo of the Evansville Crescents, taken in 1925

The Evansville Crescent Baseball Team was an all-black semi-pro team that started in conjunction with the opening of the Negro National League’s first season in 1920.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #LocalHistory #BaseballHistory #IndianaHistory

The Greater Evansville Steampunk Society's Little Wars. A whimsical game played on the floor using toy soldiers and simple strategy. Players can jump in as commander or just relax with a cup of tea and watch. No experience necessary - rules will be taught, and everyone is welcome to play or observe.

⚙️ GAME ON! ⚙️
Join the Greater Evansville Steampunk Society as they bring Little Wars—the whimsical 1913 game by H.G. Wells—to WPL!

🕑 Sunday, February 22 | 2:00 PM
📍 Browning Gallery
✨ Free, fun, and open to all
🎩 Steampunk attire encouraged!

#Steampunk #LittleWars #WeekendEvents

Laptop, glasses, and a coffee. Willard Public Library logo. "Research your roots for Black History Month. African American Heritage Database. Unlock powerful research tools with your library card."

Discover your story this Black History Month📚

The African American Heritage database is available with your Willard Library card through our online #Genealogy Research Tools.

Visit Special Collections or explore our online databases today!
#research #history #database

Closure Willard Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 16th for President's Day.

WPL wood staircase. Database Access Restored. MyHeritage logo. Screenshot of MyHeritage website. Explore the lives of your ancestors and discover your family's history.

Great news! MyHeritage Database access is available again through Willard Public Library’s Special Collections.

To get started, visit our website, go to "genealogy research tools", find MyHeritage, and enter your WPL library card number.

In February of 1942, with the growing demand for wartime ships, the U.S. Navy chose Evansville as the place for a new shipyard on the Ohio River. The original contract was for 24 ships, but by early 1945, the shipyard had produced 167 LSTs.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #LocalHistory #WWII #WarHistory

Book titles available at Willard Library

Celebrating love, honoring history, or skipping the hearts? We’ve got you covered! 💙📚
#LibraryLife #BlackHistoryMonth #LibraryLove

Join Willard Public Library and the Tri-State Genealogical Society for a program with Jenn, exploring tools like the Family History Catalog, autosomal DNA, and other research repositories. 🔍📜

This free event is open to the public and is a prerecorded program.
#genealogy #familyhistory #DNA

Willard Library events for the week

✨ Have a look at what's going on at WPL this week ✨
Full events calendar 👉https://loom.ly/SNfQwxY
#WillardPublicLibrary #SupportLibraries #EvansvilleIndiana

Willard Public Library Dating Profile. Smart phone with two photos of the library. About me... Classic charm. Deep shelves. Old-soul energy. Likes ❤️ Big books - I cannot lie Quiet vibes Cozy corners Beautiful architecture Dislikes ❌ Loud phones Crumbs in books Talking during reading time Dog-earing pages = dealbreaker Looking for someone who appreciates timeless beauty and the joy of getting lost in a good book.

Be honest...would you swipe right on this library? 😍
#WillardLibrary #LibraryLoversMonth #LibraryLove #LibraryLife

Adult Crafternoon! Fluttering Heart Valentines! 💕
Thursday, February 12 | 4:00 PM | Browning Gallery
Bring a friend and make some fun valentines with us! All supplies are provided. Adults & young adults age 13 and older are welcome!

#WillardLibrary #crafting #handmade #valentines

In honor of Black History Month, we recognize Lincoln School. Opening in 1928, it was the only high school serving Evansville’s black residents. Evansville schools finally integrated in 1972.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #INHistory #LocalHistory #Evansville #BlackHistoryMonth

Our longest relationship isn't romantic. It's with our readers. Happy Library Lovers' Month!

Thanks for choosing us, year after year!
How long have you been part of our story?
❤️ New crush
❤️❤️Long-term
❤️❤️❤️ Since childhood
#WillardLibrary #LibraryLoversMonth #LibraryLove

Southwestern Indiana Historical Society presents: "250 Years of American Folk Music: Live Performance by Rob Spear" Tuesday, February 17th, at 6:30 PM Willard Library Browning Gallery

🎤 Travel through the sounds of history with the Southwestern Indiana Historical Society!
📍 Browning Gallery, Willard Library | Free event
#SWIHS #WillardLibrary #FolkMusic #America250

Gather your team for Puzzlepalooza—a fast, friendly jigsaw showdown! Teams of up to three race to finish the same 1,000-piece puzzle first.

📅 Saturday Feb. 7 | ⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Lankford Archives Reading Room

🏆 Win a $100 Turoni’s Pizza gift card
🔔 Registration required: https://loom.ly/GEUIh4E

Patron Appreciation Day Postponed with new date Monday, February 9, 2026 9:00AM - 7:00PM

Winter weather changed our plans a bit, so we’re postponing Patron Appreciation Day to make sure everything’s ready for you!
📅 New date: Monday, February 9
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! ❤️

#WillardLibrary #PatronAppreciation #LibraryLove #NationalLibraryLoversMonth