The Mt. Caesar Union Library serves the intellectual, reference, and
entertainment needs of the community with an extensive collection of
books and other media as well as providing free public access to the
internet. We have an extensive children's collection and receive new
titles in both fiction and non-fiction on a weekly basis.
The Mt. Caesar Union Library Association was formally organized in May 1880 under the general laws of the State of New Hampshire. As early as 1802, the Swanzey Social Library was chartered by the legislature and flourished for many years. Then interest waned and the books were sold at auction in 1846.
In 1873, a library was started in East Swanzey, but discontinued when the library received a gift of the Academy Building. Books were purchased from this library and given to Mt. Caesar Library.
In 1886, George Carpenter presented the former Mt. Caesar Academy building to the Association for literary purposes and promotion of knowledge among the inhabitants of Swanzey.
Provisions of the gift of the Mt. Caesar Academy building state, “it shall always remain where it now stands.” Through the years it has become a landmark.
In 1886, the Antiquarian Society was established. The purpose was to collect and preserve items belonging to inhabitants of the town. Originally, the top floor of the building was used by the Society. In 1947, the collection was taken down to the first floor and arranged in the parlor. In 1972, a fireproof room was built to house the collection.