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A pocket watch in front of an open book, two pages of which are folded into a heart shape.

History Book Club

2025-06-02 18:00:00 2025-06-02 20:00:00 America/New_York History Book Club Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome. Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room

Monday, June 02
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-06-02 18:00:00 2025-06-02 20:00:00 America/New_York History Book Club Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome. Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room

Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

President McKinley: architect of the American century by Robert W. Merry

In this great American story, acclaimed historian Robert Merry resurrects the presidential reputation of William McKinley, which loses out to the brilliant and flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt who succeeded him after his assassination. He portrays McKinley as a chief executive of consequence whose low place in the presidential rankings does not reflect his enduring accomplishments and the stamp he put on the country's future role in the world. Republican President William McKinley in his two terms as president (1897 ' 1901) transformed America. He established the US as an imperial power. Although he does not register large in either public memory or in historians' rankings, in this revealing account, Robert W. Merry unfolds the mystery of how this bland man managed so much powerful change. McKinley settled decades of monetary controversy by taking the country to a strict gold standard; in the Spanish-American war he kicked Spain out of the Caribbean and liberated Cuba from Spain; in the Pacific he acquired Hawaii and the Philippines through war and diplomacy; he developed the doctrine of 'fair trade'; forced the 'Open Door' to China; forged our 'special relationship' with Great Britain. In short, he established the non-colonial imperialism that took America into global preeminence. He expanded executive power and managed public opinion through his quiet manipulation of the press. McKinley paved the way for the bold and flamboyant leadership of his famous successor, Teddy Roosevelt, who built on his accomplishments (and got credit for them). Merry writes movingly about McKinley's admirable personal life, from his simple Midwestern upbringing to his Civil War heroism to his brave comportment just moments before his death by assassination (it was only six months into his second term when he was shot). Lively, definitive, and eye-opening, President McKinley resurrects this overlooked president and places him squarely on the list of one of the most important.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | History & Genealogy | Book group |

Wilbraham Public Library

Phone: 413-596-6141

Hours

Today's hours

We're open 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Mon, Jun 09 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 10 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 11 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 12 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Fri, Jun 13 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 14 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Sun, Jun 15 Closed

About the branch

The Wilbraham Public Library provides resources and opportunities for community learning, recreation, and making connections.

Upcoming Events

Fri, Jun 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Build creativity and literacy skills with Ms. Jen!
Registration is now closed

Sat, Jun 14, 10:00am - 10:45am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Join us for a magical day!
This event is full

Mon, Jun 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Author & historian Christopher Daley offers an engaging exploration of key events in the journey to emancipation and the evolution of Juneteenth.

Tue, Jun 17, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Jun 17, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Police Station - Community Room
The monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Wed, Jun 18, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Police Station - Community Room
The monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Fri, Jun 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Build creativity and literacy skills with Ms. Jen!
This event is full

Fri, Jun 20, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Adults, join us to try a fun and relaxing craft--rock painting! No experience is necessary, and all supplies will be provided, but registration is necessary as space is limited.

Sat, Jun 21, 10:00am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Create a sparkling bookmark!

Mon, Jun 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Monthly meeting on the fourth Monday of the month. Books are available to pick up at the Service Desk; new comers are always welcome.

Tue, Jun 24, 9:30am - 10:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Storytime curriculum and themed play activities.

Tue, Jun 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
Join us as award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate talks to viewers about her enthusiastically heartwarming novel in verse, Odder. 
Register

Wed, Jun 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Led by Jessica Magill For questions, contact Jessica: jessicammagill@hotmail.com

Thu, Jun 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts!

Rescheduled
Thu, Jun 26, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
New date Thursday, July 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library
An orientation for new volunteers with Assistant Director Mary Bell.

Thu, Jun 26, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
The monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Fri, Jun 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Build creativity and literacy skills with Ms. Jen!
This event is full

Mon, Jun 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Local historian Robert Comeau will discuss the Six Power Canals of the Chicopee River, including the Collins Canal in Wilbraham.

Tue, Jul 01, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
The daytime monthly book discussion group facilitated by Library Director Karen Ball. New members always welcome!

Tue, Jul 01, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Teens will learn how to transform flat paper into 3D forms, and create their own greeting card.
Registration opens Saturday, June 14 2025 at 9:00am

Tue, Jul 01, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Bring your grown-ups out for game night!

Thu, Jul 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
An orientation for new volunteers with Assistant Director Mary Bell.

Mon, Jul 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
An hour of relaxation with sound energy healing.
Registration opens Monday, June 23 2025 at 9:00am

Mon, Jul 07, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Author and veterinarian Philipp Schott will share history of veterinary medicine, providing an abundance of bizarre, funny, surprising, and heartwarming anecdotes.
Register

Tue, Jul 08, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual
Acompaña al autor e ilustrador Raúl the Third mientras nos habla de su libro ¡Vamos! ¡A leer!
Register

Tue, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Gaming day for teens with One Up Games!
Registration opens Saturday, June 14 2025 at 9:00am

Tue, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library
Join author and illustrator Raúl The Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!. Best suited for children in PK-2nd Grade.
Register

Wed, Jul 09, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Gather your family and race to be the fastest puzzlers in town!
Registration opens Saturday, June 14 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Bring your teddy bears to the library!

Thu, Jul 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Taught by Julie Stepanek, teens learn how to play the ukulele.
Registration opens Saturday, June 14 2025 at 9:00am

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 11:30am
Wilbraham Public Library - Brooks Room
Back by popular demand! Paint your own custom tote bag.
Registration opens Monday, June 23 2025 at 9:00am