Kerrville gets a new library, Part 3

In 1967, the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library opened in Kerrville.  It was a gift from Howard and Mary Elizabeth Butt to our community, built as a memorial to their families.  It was built on Water Street, just down the road from our print shop, the exact same year I learned to read -- and so I always thought the library had been built just for me.  In a way, I suppose it was: it was built for people who love to read.

The building was a modern marvel when it was built -- and the dedication was a really big event.  Lady Bird Johnson was there.

Here are some rare photographs of the event from my collection of historic photographs of Kerrville and Kerr County.

Click on any image to enlarge

Some of the crowd that showed up for the dedication of the
Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, August, 1967

Mayor Gordon Monroe escorts Lady Bird Johnson on a tour
of the new Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library

Singing during the dedication of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library.
On the front row, in the dark suit, is Howard Butt, of the H.E.Butt Grocery Company.
His wife, Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt is next to him, wearing a hat.
Lady Bird Johnson is next to Mrs. Butt; Charles Butt is behind his father.

Howard Butt speaks at the dedication of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library.
His wife, Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt, and Lady Bird Johnson listen.

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