Some Swan artifacts find new home at Hoag Library

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Diane Morrell of Albion works on a project at Hoag Library. A large oil painting that was at Swan Library was added to the loft area in the Hoag, one of many paintings from Swan that are now at the Hoag.

Display cases, book shelves and other artifacts from the Swan have been brought to the Hoag, including this display case. Library Director Betty Sue Miller, left, and reference librarian Cheryl Mowatt look over some of the items in the case.

A 1897 graduation program for Albion High School is among the artifacts featured in the display case.

Library staff and volunteers aren’t sure who is pictured in this portrait. Betty Sue Miller said there are other mysteries in portraits and relics discovered at the former Swan Library.

That building has been sold to Chad Fabry of Holley. Library staff, volunteers and professional movers cleared the library of most of the items, with many of those pieces moved to a 24-by-36-foot storage unit.

The book case in memory of Simon Adler used to be behind the circulation desk at Swan Library. Now it’s just around the corner from the circulation desk in the new library.

“We’re trying to bring some of what was Swan Library here,” Miller said.

This portrait of Abraham Lincoln was discovered stashed away in the former Swan Library.