Collections
Guide to The Library
The Dyer Memorial Library’s collection consists of approximately 14,000 books, including general U.S. history books, a notable collection of Civil War monographs, Massachusetts town histories, Massachusetts business directories from 1867-1919, biographies and an extensive collection of genealogy books.
Sam Dyer Room
Rotating exhibits are found in the Sam Dyer Room as well as biography cases for Moses Arnold and Reverend Jesse Jones. The Old Abington Commemorative Quilt celebrating the 275th anniversary of the founding of Abington hangs in this room.
Marietta Dyer Room
General history books and biographies and books by local authors can be found in the Marietta Dyer Room.
Subject Files
The Dyer's Subject Files briefly document assorted people, institutions and topics related to the towns of Abington, Rockland and Whitman, MA.
Col. Joseph Murphy Room
Most of the genealogy books and resources in the Dyer's collection are shelved in the Murphy Room. The following is a taste of the vast number of resources found here.
- New England Historical and Genealogical Society publications
- Mayflower Descendants
- Town Reports and other Vital Statistics primarily for Abington, Rockland and Whitman
- Family Genealogies
- Directories and Maps
Massachusetts Town and City histories are shelved in alphabetical order, from Abington to Wrentham & Cape Cod Town Histories. You will also find County histories for Middlesex, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire, Plymouth, Norfolk, Barnstable, and Worcester and a history of the Connecticut Valley.
The Dyer Library Collection
Documents
The collection is a primary resource for the study of Old Abington from the Colonial period to modern day, including diaries, letters, business account books and early Old Abington documents.
Maps
The map collection of the library consists of local maps for the town of Abington, Rockland, and Whitman — illustrating the history and development of these towns.
Military History
The library has information on residents of Old Abington (Abington, Rockland, and Whitman) involved in the military from Colonial times through World War II.
Newspapers
Our collection consists of local newspapers including the Abington Standard, Rockland Standard, and Whitman Times.
Photographs & Postcards
The photographic archives at the library consist of local area images of Abington, Rockland and Whitman.
Artifacts
The artifacts in our collection are primarily of local and antiquarian interest, including house ware, furniture, apothecary, fire, clocks, tools, textiles, and military ephemera.