April 18, 1885

By adoption of an ordinance, the donation of $11,862.67 made to the City of Princeton by the last will of Nehemiah Matson, for the purpose of establishing a free public library, was accepted by the city council, in trust.

February 27, 1886

The first Board of Directors of Matson Public Library confirmed by the city council.

March 10, 1886

The first meeting of the new Board of Directors took place. For three years, the Matson fund was held intact as an investment by the library board before a location for the library was decided upon and secured. The first library was located in the building at what is now 529 South Main Street.

1890

The Matson Public Library located on South Main was first opened for use by the public. It remained in use for 22 years.

1912

The construction of the present Matson Public Library building was begun. The firm of Patton & Miller from Chicago were the architects.

1913

The new library at 15 Park Avenue West was first opened.

March 21, 2006

Referendum was passed for the renovation of 698 East Peru Street, formally known as Bogo's, to become Princeton Public Library.

August 2007

Construction is completed.  47,000 plus volumes are relocated in their new location on East Peru Street.  On August 1st the doors opened for the first time to our patrons.

September 2007

Grand Opening and ribbon cutting was set for Princeton Public Library on September 8th.